Online students, please note that all of this information and much more is available at the Blackboard site for this course once it has begun. This is intended only to provide a preview of how the course is set up. All course activities take place through the Rio Hondo Virtual College site.

A drawing of the eyeguy, which is the logo for the course.

 

Introduction to Sociology 101- Fall 2009

Rio Hondo College Social Science Department- Whittier, California

Ticket # 8142 (online) (8/22/09 - 12/12/09)

Instructor: Dr. Daniel Roddick

E-mail: DRoddick@riohondo.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course is an introduction to the subject matter and the activity of sociology. The course will emphasize the learned nature of human behavior as a collective product of the ongoing interaction of individuals and groups in the context of a dynamic social structure. To develop our perspectives on these processes, we will study the development and impact of culture, societal definitions of deviant behavior, social class and inequality, and the process of social change.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

C. Wright Mills, in The Sociological Imagination (pp. 3-6), has suggested that individuals should strive to develop...a quality of mind that will help them to use information and to develop reason in order to achieve lucid summations of what is going on in the world and of what may be happening within themselves. He writes further that... it is this quality that may be called the sociological imagination. The sociological imagination enables us to grasp history and biography and the relations between the two within society. That is its task and its promise.

The objective of this course is to assist the student in the development of his or her own sociological imagination. In the process of that development, we will examine the history of social thought from a wide range of theorists and evaluate the relevance of each approach in the context of modern society. We will also study the process of sociological research. Included will be observational, survey, and quasi-experimental methodologies.

There are five specific educational goals for the students in this class:

1. To achieve an understanding of social theory as not only an abstract interpretation of social processes, but as a useful tool for collective and individual decision-making.

2. To achieve an understanding of the sociological perspective which will be a useful tool in the interpretation of each student's own social experiences.

3. To achieve an understanding of modern social science research including theory, methods and ethics.

4. To achieve an understanding of current social problems through the use of the sociological perspective.

5. To achieve an understanding of social change and its impact on us as individual participants in a changing society.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:

Preparation and Participation:

Students are expected to fulfill and submit all course assignments as scheduled.

Academic Integrity:

It is expected that all work submitted for grading is original and that the student receiving the grade has indeed done the work being graded. Deviation from these standards will result in a failing grade and may result in expulsion from the class or the college.

Accommodation:

Rio Hondo College is committed to providing access to education for students with disabilities. If a student has a disability or medical condition that requires accommodation, he or she should inform the instructor as soon as possible so appropriate arrangements can be made.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING:

1. Participation in class discussion and activities- This includes such things as keeping on pace with the course and practice quizzes. ( 225 points)

2. Midterm Essay- Tests for chapters 1-7 must be completed. (200 points*)

3. Chapters 1-15 Tests- Multiple Choice and T/F (25 points each, 375 total points*)

4. Final Essay- All chapter tests must be completed. ( 200 points*)

5. Total points available are 1000 with final grade based on total points earned by each student during the course.

* Make-up work or other submissions after due dates will be possible only in exceptional situations, and must be arranged with the instructor. Point deductions will be made for all late work.

CLASS MATERIALS:

Textbook:

Henslin, James M. 2009. Essentials of Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach. 8th edition. Allyn and Bacon


Additional Resources:

Internet support for the textbook is available through on-line services at: http://wps.ablongman.com/ab_henslin_essentials_7
(This is for the 7th edition, but is still very useful.)

Other study aides, information on careers in sociology, a sociology Jeopardy game and links to other sociology sites are available at: http://www.abacon.com/socsite/

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