SOCI 100 Introduction to Sociology: Understanding ... - KUAIS

SOCI 100 Introduction to Sociology: Understanding Societies Fall 2009Class Hours/LocationMonday/Wednesday 11:00-12:15, SOS-B08Instructor InformationBruce RankinDepartment of SociologyOffice: Social Sciences 255Tel: 338-1517Email: brankin@ku.edu.trHomepage: http://portal.ku.edu.tr/~brankinOffice Hours: Monday/Wednesday 10:00-11:00 or by appointmentCourse DescriptionThis course will provide students with an introduction to the study of society from asociological perspective. The student will gain familiarity with the substantive scope,basic concepts, theoretical perspectives, and methodological orientations of sociology.Substantive issues covered will range from the micro-level of individual behavior to themacro-level of the global system. Since the field of sociology is a vast one, the coursewill provide a general overview of the field with a closer look at selected topics critical toan informed understanding of the social world.Course ObjectivesStudents will acquire both the intellectual tools for understanding social science researchand the ability to apply this knowledge to the “real world”, including their own lives. Tothat end, the specific goals of the course are as follows:To introduce students to the basic concepts and theoretical orientations found inthe social sciences, particularly sociology, and illustrate how social scientists usethem to explain the social worldTo familiarize students with a variety of research methods used by contemporarysocial scientists and their strengths and weaknessesTo give students the opportunity to use sociological insights to better understandtheir own lives and social conditionsTextbookSchaefer, Richard T. 2008. Sociology, 11 th edition, McGraw-Hill International Edition.The purpose of the textbook is to introduce you to the range of concepts and substantiveissues found in sociology. The textbook was written for an international audience. Whilesome of the material focuses on American society, there is an emphasis on cross-culturaland global content throughout the book. The lecture material and class discussion willhighlight the relevance of the text to helping us understand Turkish society.1

SOCI 100 Introduction to Sociology: Understanding Societies Fall 2009Course RequirementsStudents are expected to attend class and to participate in class discussions and arerequired to take two midterms and a final exam. Class attendance is particularlyimportant because lectures will include material not covered in the text. Students arestrongly encouraged to come to class having completed the assigned reading for thatweek and prepared to discuss the material. As an additional incentive to do so, there willbe several pop quizzes during the semester based on material covered in the textbook.Students must be on time for class and remain in their seats throughout the class. Cellphones should be turned off and put away before entering the classroom. Chatting,reading newspapers, sleeping, and other disruptive and/or disrespectful behavior will notbe tolerated and can result in disciplinary action.GradingStudents will be evaluated on their class participation and their scores on pop quizzes,two midterm exams and the final exam. Note that there will be no chance to earn “extracredit”. Exams will be in a multiple choice format and will cover material presented inclass and from assigned textbook readings. The final exam will not be comprehensive.No make-up exams will be allowed unless an unambiguous medical report is presented.The final grade will weighted as follows:10% in-class exercises and class participation30% first midterm exam30% second midterm exam30% final examThe final grade scale will be:90-100 = A 70-72 = C87-89 = A- 67-69 = C-83-86 = B+ 64-66 = D+80-82 = B 60-63 = D77-79 = B- 0-59 = F73-76 = C+NOTE: Please make sure that you are familiar with the University AcademicRegulations and the Regulations for Student Disciplinary Matters, particularly thoserelated to academic honesty. Cheating, plagiarism, and collusion are serious offensesresulting in an F grade and disciplinary action.How to Succeed in this ClassThe best grades are usually received by those students who: Attend class regularly and take good notes Read the assigned chapters before coming to class Participate in class discussions and ask questions Attend the exam review sessions Study effectively for the exams2

SOCI 100 Introduction to Sociology: Understanding Societies Fall 2009Use the instructor’s office hours when help is neededIf you are doing all of the above and still not performing as well as you would like in thecourse, please come and see me as soon as possible.Course OutlineWeek and Dates Topics Covered Required ReadingPart 1 & 2: The Sociological Perspective & Organizing Social Life1. Sept. 28 & 30 Understanding Sociology Chap. 12. Oct. 5 & 7 Sociological Research Chap. 23. Oct. 12 & 14 Culture Chap. 34. Oct. 19 & 21 Social Interaction & Social Structure Chap. 55. Oct. 26 Groups & Organizations Chap. 6Oct. 28Cumhuriyet Bayram (no class)1 st Midterm (date to be announced)Part 3: Social Inequality6. Nov. 2 & 4 Stratification & Social Mobility Chap. 97. Nov. 9 & 11 Global Inequality Chap. 108. Nov. 16 & 18 Race & Ethnicity Chap. 119. Nov. 23 & 25 Gender Chap. 1210. Nov. 30 Kurban Bayram (no class)Dec. 2Gender (cont.)2 nd Midterm (date to be announced)Part 4 & 5: Social Institutions and Social Change11. Dec. 7 & 9 The Family & Other Intimates Chap. 1412. Dec. 14 & 16 Religion Chap. 1513. Dec. 21 & 23 Economy & Work Chap. 1814. Dec. 28 & 30 Population & Environment Chap. 2115. Jan. 4 & 6 Globalization, Technology & Social Chap. 23ChangeFinal Exams: Jan. 12-22 Final Exam (date to be announced)This syllabus is also available on KUAIS courseware and my homepage(http://portal.ku.edu.tr/~brankin).3