Nunez
Community College
Syllabus
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Sociology
101: Introduction to Sociology
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Semester
/ Year:
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Spring 2013
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Division:
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Arts and Humanities
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Contact
Information:
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Instructor:
Jenny Karubian
Email:
jennykarubian@gmail.com
Mailbox:
Arts and Humanities Department
Course
Blog: http://nunezsoc101.blogspot.com
Office hours by appointment
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Course
Information:
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Section:101
Number of Credits: 3
Meeting Times: T-Th 5:30-6:45
Room 115
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Course Description: This course is
designed to introduce you to the fundamental concepts and basic principals
underlying society and social relations. The course includes basic
understandings from anthropology and social psychology.
Goals of the Class: This introductory class will
introduce to you a variety of ways sociology is used in real world
applications. By the end of the class, you will have a better understanding
of how sociology plays an important part in everyday life and be able to do
the following:
·
Learn the fundamental concepts of sociology.
·
Acquire the ability to apply fundamental sociological
principles to everyday life.
·
Understand the different sociological perspectives on
social structures, processes, and social institutions.
·
Analyze and interpret sociological literature, and
·
Effectively communicate sociological concepts both written
and orally.
Course Materials: All materials are
available online through course blog in PDF format. Nunezsoc101.blogspot.com
is the web address. Please bookmark this link because you will be accessing
it often.
Assignments
Participation: This class is based on discussion. You are
expected to do the readings, think about them, and actively contribute to
class discussion each week. Failure to abide by course policies (texting in
class, not arriving on time, not checking email, etc) will result in
automatic deductions from your participation points. Failing to turn in an
assignment or participate in group activities will also result in a deduction
from your participation points.
Ethnographic Paper (550-600 words)Conduct an observation at a location or event
and write about it in terms of what we have learned in this class. You are
expected to use a minimum of 2 readings in your paper.
If I Were
A Sociologist: (550-600 words) Imagine that you are going to be an sociologist and do research
somewhere in the United States. Explain who you would study, why, and where.
For this paper you will need to use outside sources to help support your
research plan, you will also need to use at least two readings we have done
in class to help explain the methods you will use.
Life
History Paper: (900-1000 Words)
Write your life
history from your perspective. Think about your life sociologically and the
ways in which your society has shaped your life experience.
***If
you have difficulty with writing, you will be allowed to rewrite your papers
if you consult with the campus writing tutor. Rewrites will only be accepted
with the signature of the tutor. Papers are required to conform to the
highest standards of college level writing. Only full drafts will be allowed
a chance for revision.
Quizzes: There will be four
short quizzes during the course of the semester. These will consist of a
combination of identifications, short answer and multiple-choice
questions.
Midterm
and Final:
There will be two exams during the course of the semester. Exams will consist
of a combination of short answer, identifications, and essay questions.
Group Presentations:
Presentation 1: New
Orleans Pick an element of New Orleans that is important to the culture
of the city and present it as a group. You are expected to present about the
history of the topic, how it is relevant now, and how it has changed over the
years. This can include: Music, Mardi Gras, food, crime, educational
inequalities, etc.
Presentation 2: Creative During
the last week of classes, each group will present a creative project based
upon the course material. This can include but is not limited to skits, film
projects, photography projects, etc. The goal of this project is to sum up
what you have learned this term in a creative way with your group.
Extra Credit: If you have a visual
representation that is relevant to course themes (art, YouTube clips, music
etc) that you would like to suggest for a given week, please notify the
instructor. If your suggestion is used in a class session, you will receive
one extra credit point (max: 10)
***Late assignments and make-up tests/quizzes are granted
only in case of DOCUMENTED emergencies. The instructor must be notified in advance
if the student has an emergency that will require the make-up of quizzes,
tests, or papers.
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Grading Matrix
Quizzes
20%
Papers 15%
Group
Projects 10%
Midterm
20%
Final 25%
Participation
10%
100 – 90
= A 89 – 80 = B 79 – 70 = C 69 – 60 =
D 59 – Below = F
Attendance
Since
our class is discussion based, everyone is expected to attend, arrive on time,
and participate in the discussions. You should be at all times respectful of
one another’s positions and opinions and be attentive to the balance of
conversation so that everyone has ample opportunity to speak. I will facilitate
the discussion in a manner that accomplishes this. I encourage you to offer
provisional comments, questions, and positions in order to create dynamic
discussions in which we influence one another’s ideas and opinions. Although
personal and subjective responses to the issues and questions the course raises
are welcome, we should use personal experiences and opinions as a way to
critically examine the issues the readings raise.
You
are allowed two unexcused absences that do not affect your grade.
Undocumented absences will affect your grade negatively. Documented excuses for
absences are medical documentation (medical note, clinic record, or
prescription medicine), counselor’s letter, legal document, etc. If you will be
missing class after your first two absences, I expect you to contact me via
email prior to the time of our class session.
Students
should read the policy on attendance in the Nunez Community College
Catalog. Attendance will be checked each class, and the instructor may
drop a student for excessive unexcused absences prior to the official last day
to drop a course. If the instructor drops a student from the roster
before the last drop date, the student will receive a “W” grade. If
absences occur and/or accumulate after the last day to officially withdraw, the
student will fail the course. Excessive absences usually equal more than
two weeks of class time. Students who arrive late to class must see the
instructor after the class to have that absence removed. Students who
leave class early will be counted absent for that class.
Schedule of Absences
1-2
Absences No grade Deduction
3-4
Absences half letter grade deduction (from overall grade)
5
Absences Full Letter Grade Deduction
6
Absences-Student will be dropped from the course
***Any
session that is partially missed due to late arrival will count as ½ of an
absence.
Classroom Etiquette
Cell phones are not to be used in class for any
reason at all whatsoever. This includes photographing the board instead of
taking notes, texting, social media, clock functions, etc. Students who violate
this course policy will receive a grade deduction of all participation points
(10% of overall grade).
Students
are expected to act in a professional manner that makes a positive contribution
to the learning environment and respects the needs of their fellow students and
the instructor. Students who create disturbances to the learning
environment (e.g., late arrival, inappropriate talking, use of electronic
devices) may be warned, asked to leave class, and/or referred to the College
Counselor or Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs or designee for
guidance or for disciplinary action, depending on the frequency or severity of
the disturbance. Entering and leaving the classroom during class time is
a distraction to other students and the instructor. A student’s need or
desire to be in contact with the outside world through electronic devices does
not override basic classroom etiquette, and the use of these devices is a
disturbance to the learning environment.
No side conversations or excessive
chatter while class is in session.
Come prepared. This
means read all materials assigned for the class session. Instructor reserves
the right to call upon students at random to discuss the material.
Plagiarism And Cheating
Plagiarizing
will result in an automatic fail in
this course and referral to the Vice Chancellor for disciplinary action.
Cheating
and plagiarizing are serious academic offenses. Webster defines
plagiarism as the act of “taking and using as one’s own the ideas or writings
of another.” Depending on the frequency or severity of a student’s
academic dishonesty, the instructor may lower the student’s grade, deny credit
for an exam or paper when there is evidence of cheating or plagiarizing, or
recommend the student to the Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs
for disciplinary action.
Americans With Disabilities Act
It
is the policy of Nunez Community College to accommodate students with
disabilities, in accordance with federal law, state law, and the College’s
commitment to equal educational opportunities. Any student with a
disability who needs accommodations should contact Michele Minor, Disabilities
Coordinator, in the Student Affairs Office.
Student Support Services
Tommie
Powell III serves as the College’s Counselor and is available for academic and
personal counseling as well as transfer advising. Michele Minor serves as
the Career Services Coordinator and Disabilities Coordinator. The College
has full-time Learning Specialists available for tutoring and guidance in
Mathematics and in English and Developmental Reading. Students with
questions about Nunez online courses may contact Nora Mainville, Executive
Secretary for Academic Affairs, or Professor Ron Chapman, Online
Coordinator. The Student Success Center on the first floor of the Library
provides quiet space with 20 computers available for course-related activities
only.
Top Ten Ways to
Succeed in this Class
- Check your email! All pertinent announcements will be sent over email. Class cancellations, changes to the schedule, grades and other time sensitive information are emailed directly to the students.
- The Buddy System: Students should exchange contact information with at least 2 other students in class. Phone numbers, email, Facebook, etc. are great ways to stay wired in and on top of what is going on in class.
3. If you are going to
miss a class follow these steps: 1) email the instructor 2) contact your
classmates for notes and announcements 3) stay on track for the next session.
4. Take notes: This is a
discussion and lecture based class. A large portion of information that will
appear in tests and quizzes will be announced in class but not in the readings.
Make sure to take notes often.
- Use Microsoft Word to compose all written assignments. The spelling and grammar check functions that are very useful to students are not as advanced with other word processing programs (eg. Works).
- Edit your papers before you turn them in. All writing errors lead to point deductions. If you have difficulties with writing, allow yourself plenty of time to work on assignments. Make appointments to see the instructor or campus writing tutor outside of classroom hours if you need extra help.
- Read the syllabus prior to contacting the instructor for questions. Most of the information you need (schedule of readings and assignments, etc) is in the syllabus.
- Do the assigned reading before you come to class and be prepared to discuss the reading with your group and the class.
- Turn in extra credit assignments (YouTube clips and other forms of media) prior to the class meeting that your examples pertain to.
- Use dictionaries and reference materials as you read course materials. There are a number of websites and smart phone applications to assist you with your reading.
Course Schedule
Section 1: Culture and Ethnography
1/15
Welcome
1/17
“The Sociological Imagination” Handout
1/22
Miner, “Body Ritual Among the Nacirema”
1/24 Clifford Geertz, “Thick
Description.”
Clifford
Geertz, “Deep Play: Notes on the Balinese Cockfight” (1-4 of PDF)
1/29
Havidán Rodríguez, “Rising to the
Challenges of a Catastrophe: The Emergent and Prosocial Behavior followingHurricane
Katrina.” 2006
1/31
Quiz 1
2/5
Foundations of Sociology-PowerPoint
Presentation
Section 2: Structural Inequalities and
Social Mobility
2/7
Carol Stack, All Our Kin (Excerpt)
2/14
Annette Lareau. 2002. Invisible Inequality: Social Class and Childrearing in
Black Families and White Families. (American Sociological Review 67:
747-776).
2/19
Malcolm Gladwell, Outliers Interview (film)
2/21
Quiz 2
2/26
Film: Inside Job
Section 3: Gender and Sexuality
2/28
Fausto-Sterling, Anne. 2000. Sexing the
Body : Gender Politics and the Construction of Sexuality. 1st ed. New York,
NY: Basic Books. Chapter 1 pp. 1-30
3/3 Paper 1 Due
3/5
Film: Dr. Money and the Boy with no Penis
3/7
Group Presentations
3/12
Midterm
Section 4: The Family and Kinship
3/19
Weston, Kath. “The Monkey Cage and the Red De
Soto” and “Exiles from Kinship” in Families
We Choose: Lesbians, Gays, Kinship, pp. 1-41. New York:
Columbia University Press, 1997.
3/21
Friedan, Betty. [1963] 2001. “The Problem that Has No Name” in The Feminine
Mystique, pp. 15-32. New York: W.W. Norton
3/26
Hochschild, Arlie. 1989. The Second
Shift. (Pp. 37-55). New York: Penguin.
Section 5: Urban Life and the Social
World
3/28
Gotham, Kevin Fox. “Marketing Mardi
Gras: Commodification, Spectacle and the Political Economy of Tourism in New
Orleans.” 2002
4/4
William Jankowiak and C. Todd White. “An Ethnological Study of New Orleans
Mardi Gras. Ethnology, Vol. 38, No. 4 (Autumn, 1999), pp. 335-349
4/9
Quiz 3
4/11 John Horne and
Wolfram Manzenreiter, “An Introduction to the Sociology of Sports Mega-Events.”
2006
4/14 Paper 2 Due
Section 6: Deviance
4/16
David
L. Rosenhan, 1973, On Being Sane in Insane Places.
4/18 Philippe I. Bourgois, In Search of
Respect: Selling Crack in El Barrio
4/23
Quiz 4
Section 7: Social Movements
4/25 Sparks, Holloway. "Dissident Citizenship:
Democratic Theory, Political Courage, and Activist Women." Hypatia,
1997
4/30
Case Study: Violence against Women at the U.S.-Mexico Border
5/2
Group Presentations
5/7
Last day of Class Final Exam Review-Final Papers Due In Class
5/9 6:00-8:00pm Final
Exam
***Note that time is different than
regular session.
