Syllabus

SOC-185 SOCIOLOGY  (accelerated)

Summer 2003

Faculty Information:

Dr. Al Campbell

E-mail: campbell@wolverton-mountain.com

Web Site: www.wolverton-mountain.com

Phone: (219) 928.5598 (cell) or (219) 942.5595

Course Identification:

Credit hours: 3

Contact hours: 3

Days/hours course meets: Mondays 6-8:50 pm

Prerequisite: None

Co requisite: None

Course Description:

This course explores the role of culture in social organizations.  Social institutions and the issues of race and gender within social structures and are analyzed in the context of multicultural societies and increasingly global interaction.  Basic sociological principles and research findings are used to support the analysis of cultural and social issues.

Text:

Essentials of Sociology, 5^th Edition, Henslin, Allyn & Bacon, 2004.

Student Withdrawal Policy:

Students who wish to withdraw from this course must do so up until the last day of class. 

Course Evaluation:

Midterm, Term Paper, and Final Exam—each weighted at 33.3% of Final Grade.  Both tests and the term paper will emphasize how sociological issues impact you.

Terminal Objectives:

1.      To compare and contrast the major sociological schools of thought, and point out their strengths and weaknesses.

2.      To define scientific method and to understand the differences between correlation and causal relationships.

3.      To understand basic sociological research methods and their relevance towards analyzing social problems.

4.      To analyze the role of culture and its influence on social organizations. 

5.      To identify social institutions and understand their functions. 

6.      To be able to differentiate between race, ethnicity, and gender, and to analyze their impact within a multicultural society. 

7.      To understand the growing trend towards global social organizations. 

8.      To explore cultural and social issues as they apply to personal, social and organizational functioning within increasingly complex multicultural and global societies and organizations. 

General Education Competencies:

·        Communicate clearly with particular audiences for particular purposes.

·        Work collaboratively to help achieve individual and group goals.

·        Apply critical thinking skills in learning, conducting applied research, and defining and solving problems.

·        Develop tolerance of ambiguity and mature judgment in exploring intellectual issues.

·        Build on intellectual curiosity with fundamental concepts and methods of inquiry form the sciences, social sciences, and humanities to support life-long learning.

·        Apply mathematical principles and concepts to problem solving and logical reasoning.

·        Use study and direct experience of the humanities and social sciences to develop a clear perspective on the breadth and diversity, as well as the commonality, of human experience.

·        Connect general education to the ethical dimensions of issues and to responsible, thoughtful citizenship in a democratic society.

Student Responsibilities:

Students are required to attend all classes.  Group discussion is an integral part of this course; students will be asked to contribute and ask questions. 

DeVry’s Attendance Policy allows a Professor to withdraw a student from a course when a student has been absent more than once in an accelerated class.  (Don’t forget to use the automated attendance system, ATS, starting 10 minutes before the hour and closing 20 minutes after the hour.)  Late assignments will be accepted with a one grade level reduction.

Diversity:

Students, faculty, staff, and all other member of the DeVry community are expected to respect diversity, which includes, but is not limited to age, disability, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, and sexual orientation.  Students engaging in discriminatory behavior will be subject to the consequences established in the Student’s Code of Conduct in the Student Handbook.  Student grievances involving charges of discrimination and sexual harassment should be taken to the Student Services Office.

Academic Integrity:

All students are expected to follow the standards of academic integrity and conduct as detailed in the Academic Integrity Policy found in the DeVry Student Handbook.  The Policy specifically prohibits dishonest acts, such as copying, plagiarism, and prohibited collaboration.  Please review the Policy so that you understand your rights and obligations. 

Term Paper:

You will do a 12-page research project exploring some aspect of sociology that troubles you.  You will explore the issue and develop possible ways of resolving your concerns. 

Weekly Schedule:

July 7, 2003                Essentials of Sociology—Chapters 1-4        (pages 1-108)

July 14, 2003              Essentials of Sociology—Chapters 5-6        (pages 109-164)

July 21, 2003              Essentials of Sociology—Chapters 7-8        (pages 165-220)

July 28, 2003                          Midterm Exam

Essentials of Sociology—Chapters 9           (pages 221-256)

August 4, 2003           Essentials of Sociology—Chapters 10-11    (pages 257-322)

August 11, 2003         Essentials of Sociology—Chapters 12-13    (pages 323-384)

August 18, 2003                     Term Paper Due

Essentials of Sociology—Chapters 14-15    (pages 385-443)

August 25, 2003                     Final Exam