SOC 101 Section 001: Intro To Sociology

Office Hours: Tuesday 9am – 12pm & by appointment (email me to schedule)

The world needs more sociology. We live in an age when— to read the polls— most people are anxious about their economic future, unhappy with government, and worried about the future of the planet. Perhaps it is not too far from the truth to say that many of us feel overwhelmed, as if we were up against forces we can barely grasp. That’s where sociology comes in. For the last 150 years, sociologists have been working to better understand how society operates. We sociologists may not have all the answers, but we have learned a lot. This course in sociology is your introduction to the fascinating and very useful study of the world around you, the world we all have a stake in understanding and, as best we can, improving.

On a global level, this course avoids the word “ American”— which literally designates two continents— to refer to just the United States. For example, referring to this country, the term “the U.S. economy” is more precise than “the American economy.” This convention may seem a small point, but it implies the significant recognition that we in this country represent only one society (albeit a very important one) in the Americas.

Sociology is fun. It is also a field of study than can change the way you see the world, and open the door to many new opportunities. What could be more exciting than that? SOC 101 is a social behavioral science core course.

Purpose

SOC 101 is a prerequisite for all 300 and 400 level sociology courses and is a required course for all individuals wishing to minor in sociology. We will discuss sociology’s origins, methods used to study sociology, social groups, social institutions, social inequality, and social change. You will be encouraged to use your sociological imagination, or to view your personal troubles in terms of public issues. In other words, take a look at how larger forces of society affect your everyday life in areas of human behavior, social structures and econmomics. For example, you may ask, how does the economy affect my education? How does the war affect my pocketbook? How do gender norms affect my personal style?

SOC 101 carries both an SS and an SB designation. These designations mean that SOC 101 is broad in scope and serves as an introduction to the social sciences generally. To fulfill these purposes, this course provides students with a comparison of sociology with other disciplines within the social sciences. This course presents the essential characteristics and basic processes of inquiry and analysis in Sociology. It will encourage the development of critical thinking skills and will require students to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate knowledge. This course does not focus on professional skills, methodology, or any particular country or region but will explore social, cultural, economic, and political developments that have molded the world we live in. This course is concerned primarily with social structures, processes, and institutions. This course provides Introduction to Sociology content that is not covered in another course to this extent.

Course Prerequisites and Co-requisites

None

This course is not limited to Sociology minors or majors of any other discipline.

When the student has completed the course, she or he should be able to:

1.     Describe the basic elements of the sociological perspective

1.     Theoretical perspectives

2.     Research methods

3.     Culture

4.     Socialization

5.     Social structure and social interaction

2.     Demonstrate the use of the sociological perspective in the study of

1.     Social groups and social control

2.     Social inequality

3.     Social institutions

4.     Social change

3.     Collaborate and perform effectively in group activities.

4.     Apply course material to everyday life.

5.     Demonstrate effective written communication skills.

 

 

 

 

Grading Scale 

Grading Rubric

The Superior Paper (5 points)

Thesis: Easily identifiable, plausible, novel, sophisticated, insightful, crystal clear.

Structure: Evident, understandable, appropriate for thesis. Excellent transitions from point to point. Paragraphs support solid topic sentences.

Use of evidence: Primary source information used to buttress every point with at least one example. Examples support mini-thesis and fit within paragraph. Excellent integration of quoted material into sentences.

Analysis: Author clearly relates evidence to "mini-thesis" (topic sentence); analysis is fresh and exciting, posing new ways to think of the material.

Logic and argumentation: All ideas in the paper flow logically; the argument is identifiable, reasonable, and sound. Author anticipates and successfully defuses counter-arguments; makes novel connections to outside material (from other parts of the class, or other classes) which illuminate thesis.

Mechanics: Sentence structure, grammar, and diction excellent; correct use of punctuation and citation style; minimal to no spelling errors; absolutely no run-on sentences or comma splices.

Length: More than 1 page.

The Good Paper (4 points)

Thesis: Promising, but may be slightly unclear, or lacking in insight or originality.

Structure: Generally clear and appropriate, though may wander occasionally. May have a few unclear transitions, or a few paragraphs without strong topic sentences.

Use of evidence: Examples used to support most points. Some evidence does not support point, or may appear where inappropriate. Quotes well integrated into sentences.

Analysis: Evidence often related to mini-thesis, though links perhaps not very clear.

Logic and argumentation: Argument of paper is clear, usually flows logically and makes sense. Some evidence that counter-arguments acknowledged, though perhaps not addressed. Occasional insightful connections to outside material made.

Mechanics: Sentence structure, grammar, and diction strong despite occasional lapses; punctuation and citation style often used correctly. Some (minor) spelling errors; may have one run-on sentence or comma splice.

Length: 1 complete page not including heading

The Borderline Paper (3 points)

Thesis: May be unclear (contain many vague terms), appear unoriginal, or offer relatively little that is new; provides little around which to structure the paper.

Structure: Generally unclear, often wanders or jumps around. Few or weak transitions, many paragraphs without topic sentences.

Use of evidence: Examples used to support some points. Points often lack supporting evidence, or evidence used where inappropriate (often because there may be no clear point). Quotes may be poorly integrated into sentences.

Analysis: Quotes appear often without analysis relating them to mini-thesis (or there is a weak mini-thesis to support), or analysis offers nothing beyond the quote.

Logic and argumentation: Logic may often fail, or argument may often be unclear. May not address counter-arguments or make any outside connections.

Mechanics: Problems in sentence structure, grammar, and diction (usually not major). Errors in punctuation, citation style, and spelling. May have several run-on sentences or comma splices.

Length: 1 page including heading

The "Needs Help" Paper (2 points)

Thesis: Difficult to identify at all, may be bland restatement of obvious point.

Structure: Unclear, often because thesis is weak or non-existent. Transitions confusing and unclear. Few topic sentences.

Use of evidence: Very few or very weak examples. General failure to support statements, or evidence seems to support no statement. Quotes not integrated into sentences; "plopped in" in improper manner.

Analysis: Very little or very weak attempt to relate evidence to argument; may be no identifiable argument, or no evidence to relate it to.

Logic and argumentation: Ideas do not flow at all, usually because there is no argument to support. Simplistic view of topic; no effort to grasp possible alternative views.

Mechanics: Big problems in sentence structure, grammar, and diction. Frequent major errors in citation style, punctuation, and spelling. May have many run-on sentences and comma splices.

Length:  ¾ of a page

The Failing Paper (0-1 points)

Shows obviously minimal lack of effort or comprehension of the assignment. Very difficult to understand owing to major problems with mechanics, structure, and analysis. Has no identifiable thesis, or utterly incompetent thesis. Doesn’t meet the page requirement for the assignment.

Since all assignments and tests will be available at the beginning of the session, there is no makeup provision for this class.

Since this class only meets once a week, the student is only allowed to miss one class session whether excused or unexcused.  Any subsequent absences will cause a 5 point final grade reduction.

If you are registered with the Office of Disability Services, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible to discuss any course accommodations that may be necessary. If you have a disability, but have not contacted the Office of Disability Services, please call 348-4285 or visit 133-B Martha Parham Hall East to register for services. Students who may need course adaptations because of a disability are welcome to make an appointment to see me during office hours. Students with disabilities must be registered with the Office of Disability Services, 133-B Martha Parham Hall East, before receiving academic adjustments.

All students in attendance at the University of Alabama are expected to be honorable and to observe standards of conduct appropriate to a community of scholars. The University expects from its students a higher standard of conduct than the minimum required to avoid discipline. Academic misconduct includes all acts of dishonesty in any academically related matter and any knowing or intentional help or attempt to help, or conspiracy to help, another student.

The Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Policy will be followed in the event of academic misconduct.

In the case of a tornado warning (tornado has been sighted or detected by radar; sirens activated), all university activities are automatically suspended, including all classes and laboratories. If you are in a building, please move immediately to the lowest level and toward the center of the building away from windows (interior classrooms, offices, or corridors) and remain there until the tornado warning has expired. Classes in session when the tornado warning is issued can resume immediately after the warning has expired at the discretion of the instructor. Classes that have not yet begun will resume 30 minutes after the tornado warning has expired provided at least half of the class period remains.

UA is a residential campus with many students living on or near campus. In general classes will remain in session until the National Weather Service issues safety warnings for the city of Tuscaloosa. Clearly, some students and faculty commute from adjacent counties. These counties may experience weather related problems not encountered in Tuscaloosa. Individuals should follow the advice of the National Weather Service for that area taking the necessary precautions to ensure personal safety. Whenever the National Weather Service and the Emergency Management Agency issue a warning, people in the path of the storm (tornado or severe thunderstorm) should take immediate life saving actions.

When West Alabama is under a severe weather advisory, conditions can change rapidly. It is imperative to get to where you can receive information from the National Weather Service and to follow the instructions provided. Personal safety should dictate the actions that faculty, staff and students take. The Office of Public Relations will disseminate the latest information regarding conditions on campus in the following ways:

• Weather advisory posted on the UA homepage
• Weather advisory sent out through Connect-ED--faculty, staff and students (sign up at myBama)
• Weather advisory broadcast over WVUA at 90.7 FM
• Weather advisory broadcast over Alabama Public Radio (WUAL) at 91.5 FM
• Weather advisory broadcast over WVUA 7. WVUA 7 Storm Watch provides a free service you can subscribe to that allows you to receive weather warnings for Tuscaloosa via e-mail, pager or cell phone. Check http://www.wvua7.com/stormwatch.html for details.