SOCIOLOGY 201 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY FALL 2006

Professor Margaret L. Andersen
Office: 334 Smith Hall; phone: 831-0649
Office Hours: Monday 2 - 4 and by appointment

e-mail: mla@udel.edu

Teaching Assistants:

Sabrina Mosquera, sabrinam@udel.edu
Office:                     Hours: Tuesday, 11 - 12

Judith Munoz, jmunoz@udel.edu
Office:                      Hours:

Amanda Pollock, apollock@udel.edu
 Office:                     Hours:

Michelle Wilcox, mwilcox@udel.edu 
 Office:  25 Amstel    Hours: Wednesday, 12:30 - 1:30

Course Objectives:

1. to introduce students to sociological concepts and teach you how to use them to observe and interpret social behavior;
2. to learn to use the sociological perspective to interpret and understand contemporary social issues;
3. to understand how social structure influences the experiences of diverse groups in society;
4. to use the sociological perspective to understand the relationship between individual/group experience and social structures;
5. to understand how different forms of social inequality shape the experience of diverse groups in society;
6. to understand what social changes are affecting the character of U.S. society;
7. to develop critical thinking skills;
8. to develop good writing skills.

Books Required for Purchase:

Margaret L. Andersen* and Howard F. Taylor. 2007. Sociology: The Essentials ,   fourth edition **  (Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing)

        *Author's proceeds on sales of the book to this class are donated to a University scholarship fund.

        **Be sure to get the FOURTH edition!

Jay MacLeod. 1995. Ain't No Makin' It: Aspirations and Attainment in a Low-Income Neighborhood.
    Boulder, CO: Westview Press.

Christine L. Williams. 2006. Inside Toyland: Working, Shopping, and Social Inequality. Berkeley,
    CA: University of California Press.

ALSO REQUIRED: You are required to purchase a “clicker,” which the University bookstore has available. These clickers are standard in the University and you may be required to use it in a different class, so you only need to buy one. They can be resold but you might find that you will need it for another course during your career at the University. Consult the University Bookstore for more information. Directions on using the clickers will be given in class.

Optional:  There is a study guide published for the book that is an additional OPTIONAL purchase.

Academic honesty is expected of all students in accordance with University policies (see  http://udcatalog.udel.edu/general/undergrad/ugregs.html#honest).

NOTE: The website for the Andersen and Taylor book has various useful resources for students, including practice quizzes, research exercises, videos, web links, and other study resources. Go to: http://sociology.wadsworth.com, type in Andersen, click on the link to Sociology: The Essentials, fourth edition, and go to the link on Student Companion Site.

First Exam:  September 27
Second Exam:  October 25
Third Exam: November 22

Fourth Exam: during final exam period (December 8-15); scheduled by the University

IMPORTANT NOTE!!!!!  There are four scheduled exams for this course (a mix of multiple choice and essay). ONLY THREE WILL BE COUNTED IN YOUR FINAL GRADE. Thus, students have the option of missing one exam, BUT NO MAKEUPS WILL BE GIVEN FOR ANY REASON, SO YOU SHOULD PLAN WISELY! If you take all four (advisable), the lowest grade will be dropped from your exam average at the end of the term.

Course Policies

     All written work is due on the date and at the time announced.

     You should keep all work returned to you until final grades are posted. In a large class, despite our good intentions, it is possible that one of your grades could be misrecorded or lost. Saving your work will verify your grade in such an unlikely event. It is recommended that you keep a backup disk for all work done on a computer for this course; last minute lost computer files are not an excuse for late work.

     Students should check their University e-mail on a regular basis for class announcements. If you use an e-mail address other than your University account, you should arrange to have your university mail forwarded to your other address or you will miss e-mail postings to the class. Written assignments must be submitted in writing, not as e-mail attachments. Note that neither the instructor nor the TAs will discuss grades via e-mail; you must see us in person if you want to talk about your grades.

    Calculation of Grades:

     Three exams (25% each). Note: four given; only three counted in final grade
     Discussion Group (25%) Includes: participation, attendance, written assignments
 

    Ten Tips for Succeeding in This Course:

1. Attend class, including your discussion group, regularly. If you must miss because of an illness, get the notes from a friend (one who is a good note - taker!) and talk to your TA about what you missed.
2. Ask a question if you don't understand something. (You are likely not the only person who missed the point!). If you are too intimidated to ask a  question in the lecture, know that both the TAs and the professor are available during office hours to talk with you.
3. Do the required reading prior to the day it is being discussed in class. This will help you get more from the lecture. You should then review the reading again after hearing the lecture/discussion. Do not wait until just before the exam to do all the reading!
4. Use the learning resources that are available in the text, and on the accompanying website.
5. Participate actively in the discussion and activities of your weekly section. The TAs have designed these classes to maximize your learning and help you get more from the class.
6. If you have an emergency, contact the TA or instructor immediately. We can be more flexible and understanding if we know your predicament as soon as possible.
7. Turn in all work on time and keep copies of your written work.
8. Pay attention in class--that is, don't chat with friends during lecture, eat, sleep, surf the web, etc. This  is very rude; it is also distracting to other students and to the faculty member. Put yourself in their place: Would you want people doing this if you were speaking in front of a group?
9. Be academically honest! See the University policy on academic honesty:  http://udcatalog.udel.edu/general/undergrad/ugregs.html#honest
10. Try applying the ideas, concepts, and theories that are presented in class to your own observations of social life.  Sociology is all around you and you will get more from this course if you engage your own sociological imagination!

August 30-September 1: Introductions

****NOTE: DISCUSSION GROUPS WILL MEET THIS WEEK!*****

September 4-8: The Sociological Perspective and Research Process

Reading: Andersen and Taylor, Ch. 1

                Christine Williams, Inside Toyland, Ch. 1

September 11-15: Culture

Reading: Andersen and Taylor, Ch. 2

                Christine Williams, Inside Toyland, Ch. 2, 3

September 18-22: Socialization and Social Interaction

 Reading: Andersen and Taylor, Chs. 3 and 4

                 Christine Williams, Inside Toyland, Ch. 4, 5

****NOTE: Rosh Hashanah begins on September 22 at sundown;

students observing the religious holiday will be excused from discussion groups on Friday*****

September 25-September 29: Deviance

Reading: Andersen and Taylor, Ch. 6

*****September 27: EXAM ONE*****

October 2-6: Social Class and Social Stratification

*****NOTE: Yom Kippur begins at sundown on October 1; students who are observing the religious holiday will be excused from class on Monday, the 2^nd****

Reading: Andersen and Taylor, Chs. 7 and 8 

October 9-13:  Race and Ethnic Relations

Reading: Andersen and Taylor, Ch. 9

October 16-20:  Class and Race: How They Matter

Reading: Jay MacLeod, Ain’t No Making It

October 23-27: Politics and the Economy

Reading: Andersen and Taylor, Ch. 14

               Christine Williams, Ch. 6

*****October 25: EXAM TWO*****

October 30-November 3: Gender and Sexuality

Reading: Andersen and Taylor: Chs. 10 and 11

November 6-10: Families

Reading: Andersen and Taylor: Ch. 12

November 13-17:  Education and Health Care

Reading: Andersen and Taylor, Ch. 13

November 20-22: To be announced

****November 22: EXAM THREE****

November 23-24 THANKSGIVING BREAK: NO DISCUSSION GROUPS THIS WEEK

November 27-December 1: Population, Urbanization, and the Environment

Reading: Andersen and Taylor, Ch. 15

December 4-December 6:  Social Change and Social Movements

Reading: Andersen and Taylor, Ch. 16

NOTE: NO DISCUSSION GROUPS THIS WEEK

.

*****EXAM WEEK: EXAM FOUR (December 8-15) *****

Some Resources on Campus:

Academic Enrichment Center
ADA Office (Americans with Disabilities)
Center for Black Culture
Counseling Center
Department of Sociology
HOLA Club
Indian Student Association
Morris Library
Office of Affirmative Action and Multicultural Programs
Office of Campus Life
Office of Women's Affairs
Registered Student Organizations
Sexual Offense Support (S.O.S.)
Student Information On-line
University Advisement Center