AMG SOC A408

You are responsible for knowing and understanding the complete contents of this course syllabus and for carrying out the requirements of this course. If there is any dispute, all university & departmental policies will apply.

Phone: 902-420-5531 Office: MS 416 Office hours: T 1:30-5:30

Website: http://smu-facweb.smu.ca/~evanderveen/ additional course materials can be found here but no course notes

Note: I do not use Blackboard. Due to the volume of emails I receive, I am not able to respond to emails from students. Instead you can phone me and leave a voicemail message if I do not answer. I am not available on Fridays. If you wish to see me you must do so during my office hours, or before/after class. If you cannot make these office hours, then we can schedule an appointment at a mutually convenient time & day. Additional important course materials are available on my website, not on Blackboard.

COURSE DESCRIPTION (from the course catalogue)

This course is intended to give a basic introduction to the discipline. It will examine the sociological imagination which understands human life as fundamentally explained by our membership in social groups. Particular attention will be given to the basic theories, concepts and methods through which this view is explored.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

In completing this course you will:

Ø Examine sociology as a field of study, distinguishing it from other disciplines in the social sciences;

Ø Explore the sociological imagination and use it to develop an understanding of personal life circumstances and societal phenomena and the link between the two;

Ø Review the historical development of sociology and the contributions of key figures in the field;

Ø Acquire basic understanding of the key foundational sociological theories;

Ø Consider the role of nature and nurture in human behavior;

Ø Understand key sociological concepts including but not limited to social structure, culture, institutions, social interaction, socialization, agency, norms, ascribed and achieved social statutes;

Ø Investigate the elements of social structure and culture and the interplay with human agency;

Ø Uncover key societal issues of inequality (e.g. gender, race, socio-economic status, social class, sexual orientation, age);

Ø Develop and enhance a practice of critical thinking;

Ø Enhance intra and interpersonal communication skills both oral and written; and,

Ø Cultivate self-reflection and civic engagement.

HOW TO SUCCEED IN THIS COURSE

Through a program of readings, lecturing, class discussions and activities, and individual and group work, the objectives and course material will be examined. Students are expected to participate in the learning strategies which have been designed to exemplify the topics under consideration.

It is up to you to take responsibility for your learning. Students who approach their education with a sense of enthusiasm and a willingness to learn are more productive students. You will be challenged and you will learn to think critically about yourself and the world around you as the content will relate to your daily activities at home, work, and school. The material presented is often interdisciplinary stemming not only from sociology but also incorporating elements of history, economics, political science, anthropology, and psychology. Often this material will not accord with your current world view, especially if you are a consumer of infotainment. It is recommended that you begin to be a consumer of news seeking a variety of sources.

As your professor, I am responsible for facilitating and encouraging learning and serving as a resource for you in this class. However, I am not here to entertain you, nor to provide you with customer service with you being a “consumer/client”, and I am not here to parent you. I also do not “teach to the test”. Usually each week a different topic will be explored using mini-lectures, practice quizzes and group/class discussion of questions pertaining to the chapter contents (note: no course notes will be posted online). If it imperative that you attend class but this is not sufficient. You must also come prepared to the class, having undertaken a thorough reading of the assigned materials (and not a cursory glance of the materials). If you do not do this then you are wasting your time taking this class. I guarantee that you will experience difficulties in class risking failing the course if you do not come thoroughly prepared.

How do you learn? Our learning can be improved if we actually know how we learn best. Consider: What are your earliest memories of learning to read and write? How do you currently approach reading and writing tasks? How do you feel about yourself as a reader and writer? Consider the following types of intelligence and which applies to you in terms of your preferred type of learning: (See my website for a questionnaire you can complete on this topic)

Ø Verbal-Linguistic Intelligence -- well-developed verbal skills and sensitivity to the sounds, meanings and rhythms of words

Ø Mathematical-Logical Intelligence -- ability to think conceptually and abstractly, and capacity to discern logical or numerical patterns

Ø Musical Intelligence -- ability to produce and appreciate rhythm, pitch and timber

Ø Visual-Spatial Intelligence -- capacity to think in images and pictures, to visualize accurately and abstractly

Ø Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence -- ability to control one's body movements and to handle objects skillfully

Ø Interpersonal Intelligence -- capacity to detect and respond appropriately to the moods, motivations and desires of others.

Ø Intrapersonal Intelligence -- capacity to be self-aware and in tune with inner feelings, values, beliefs and thinking processes

Ø Naturalist Intelligence -- ability to recognize and categorize plants, animals and other objects in nature

Ø Existential Intelligence -- sensitivity and capacity to tackle deep questions about human existence, such as the meaning of life, why do we die, and how did we get here.

GUIDELINES FOR APPROPRIATE STUDENT BEHAVIOUR

Adapted from Department of Communication, University of Alaska Anchorage, 2001

SMU has clear expectations of how students will conduct themselves on campus and in the classroom. The rights and responsibilities accorded students in the University system are outlined in the Academic Integrity and Student Responsibility which includes the Student Code of Conduct published annually in Academic Calendar. You are required to be aware of all of these policies. With regard to this specific course, effective teaching and learning environments are best accomplished by positive teacher-student and student-student relationships characterized by common courtesy, respect for self and others, respect for differing points of view, and honest and responsible behaviour. When violations of these expectations occur, action must be taken to address the problem before it becomes harmful to the teaching and learning environment.

General Disruptive Behaviour

Disruptive behaviour may take many forms. Disruptive behaviour includes but is not limited to: talking when someone else has the floor, being rude to others, offering destructive (rather than constructive) criticism, arriving late, sleeping during class, forming cliques, checking their cell phones or other electronic devices, being passive or disinterested, belligerent or aggressive behaviour and so on. Such behaviours have no place in a university classroom. You have a right to maintain your own opinions and to disagree with others, but you must do so in a fashion that is conducive to learning and does not take the form of a personal attack on others. Minimally, you are expected to treat your classmates and your professor in a respectful fashion and they will return the favour. Any behaviour that obstructs or disrupts the classroom teaching and learning environment will be addressed. Serious or repeated breaches in inappropriate behaviour may result in a reduction of your final grade in the course and may be referred to additional University authorities.

The following guidelines outline appropriate behaviour expected of all students both during classes and outside of classes when work is undertaken for this course (this list is not comprehensive):

Appropriate Classroom Behaviour

Ø Students are expected to attend all regularly scheduled class sessions, show up on time, and be prepared for class;

Ø Students are expected to conduct themselves in an honest and respectful manner when interacting with others in the classroom environment;

Ø When engaged in discussions, students should seek to ask questions that are clear, relevant to the content at hand, and contribute to the individual and/or the class's mastery of the subject matter;

Ø Students need to monitor their own progress in the course and to consult with the professor early on if they are having difficulties and doing poorly, not leaving it towards the end of the semester;

Ø Students are expected to wear attire appropriate for an educational institution, e.g. no midriffs, no buck cracks, no cleavage;

Ø Students are expected to turn OFF ALL electronic devices, e.g. mp3/ipods, blackberries, cell phones, pagers, laptop computers, etc…, during class, if you must take notes using a laptop you will need to provide documentation indicating that this is indeed a necessity for your learning; and,

Ø When the instructor is engaged in lecture, students should listen attentively and provide appropriate feedback when called upon by the instructor.

Inappropriate Classroom Behaviour

It is inappropriate to:

Ø read non-course related materials during class;

Ø talk to others while the instructor or another student has the floor;

Ø ask questions that have already been answered in class or are discussed in the text or are answered in the syllabus;

Ø take phone calls during class;

Ø sleep;

Ø make rude comments;

Ø ridicule others for asking questions; and,

Ø ask questions or engage in discussion that is irrelevant to the content at hand.

A Comment on Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty

The concept of academic dishonesty covers a range of inappropriate and unethical behaviours including but not limited to cheating on exams, falsification of materials, plagiarism, and so on. As in other courses at the University, students in sociology and criminology are expected to do their own work and conduct themselves in a fair, honest, and ethical manner. Those who plagiarize or engage in academic dishonesty of any kind will be referred to the proper University authorities for investigation and disciplinary action. Academic dishonesty is a very serious issue; it will be taken seriously.

COURSE TEXT

Ø Naiman, Joanne, (2012), How Society Works: Class, Power, and Change in a Canadian Context, 5th edition, Black point, Nova Scotia: Fernwood Books, available in the bookstore

Ø Online readings, available on my website.

ASSESSMENT

In-class quizzes (15 points * 8 quizzes) 120 points 42%

Quiz review (6 points * 7) 42 points 15%

Completed course contract 10 points 4%

Preliminary questionnaire 10 points 4%

FE Final exam 100 points 35%

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TOTAL 282 points, final grade pro-rated to 100%

COMPLETED COURSE CONTRACT

The attached course contract is to be submitted in class no later than the 3^rd class.

PRELIMINARY QUESTIONNAIRE

The attached questionnaire is to be completed and submitted in class no later than the 3^rd class. It must be typed, using “Times” font, 12 point, single spacing, 1 inch margins.

INCLASS QUIZZES (ICQs)

There will be eight (8) quizzes conducted in class – see course outline, each comprised on ten (10) multiple choice questions. The quizzes will be based on chapters in the text, thus if you do not come prepared to class having read the chapter you will do poorly on the quiz. The questions will not simply be seeking your memorization and regurgitation of information but instead will test your comprehension of the material, including application to social phenomena. The quizzes will take place in the first class of the week, and reviewed in the second class of the week. In effect, the quizzes are practice for the final exam. If you miss a quiz, there is no makeup quiz. Note: Quizzes must be completed in pencil, otherwise they will not be assessed and you will receive zero. You are required to come to class with a pencil as they will not be provided in class. You must also complete two (2) answer cards, one you submit along with the quiz, and another which you keep for the quiz review that will take place in the following class.

QUIZ REVIEW

This component will comprise the review of the quizzes and an associated written submission. The review will take place in the second class of the week when a quiz has been administered in the first class of the week. The written submission is due at the end of the respective class. The review will allow for you to discuss and explore the chapter contents so that you can develop a better understanding of the material, asking additional questions of clarification when needed. The general process of the review is as follows: working in groups and as a larger class, each quiz question will be examined; initially the group will have a limited time to arrive at a consensus of what is the correct answer for a particular question, in turn a group member will provide a succinct written explanation (a paragraph) for the choice of correct answer to two (2) quiz questions noting their name beside the questions. Further details about the requirements for the written submission will be provided in class. The written submission must be legible; there is no excuse of “my handwriting is terrible”.

FINAL EXAM

A final exam will take place during the semester’s examination period. The exam will be comprised of fifty (50) multiple choice questions. The exam will cover specific chapters of the readings, details provided in class. However, because each chapter in the text builds upon the previous chapters, you cannot simply read the chapters from which the questions will be drawn. If you keep up with the readings, attend class regularly, ask questions in class, then you should not find the exam onerous. Note: you will be allowed to use your textbook during the exam but no other documents are allowed.

COURSE OUTLINE

Notes:

i) The date for each week refers to the beginning of the week, not necessarily the exact date of the 1^st class of the week.

ii) The assigned readings in a given week are to be completed prior to the 1^st class of each week.

iv) It is imperative that you undertake the readings before coming to class as this will provide you with the foundation from which in class discussions and activities will stem. If you do not do the readings and the discussion question, do not come to class.

THE FOLLOWING COURSE OUTLINE HAS BEEN REVISED

WEEK 1 – January 6^th - Introduction to course

WEEK 2 – January 13^th - The Sociological Imagination

Reading: C.Wright Mills “The Promise” http://www.lclark.edu/~goldman/socimagination.html

Submit course contract and preliminary questionnaire in 2^nd class

WEEK 3 – January 20^th - Sociological Theories

Reading: Ch. 1

Quiz #1

WEEK 4 – January 27^th – Nature or nurture?

Reading: Ch. 2

Quiz #2

WEEK 5 – February 3^rd - Culture

Reading: Ch. 3

Viewing: Watch prior to 1^st class documentary “Gods of Our Fathers: The Human Race: A Species at the Crossroads” 1994 series, available on youtube.com

Quiz #3

WEEK 6 – February 10^th – Socialization & deviance

Reading: online on my website

WEEK 7 – February 17^th – Reading week

WEEK 8 – February 24^th - History of societies

Reading: Ch. 4

Quiz #4

WEEK 9 – March 3^rd - Social class

Reading: Ch. 5

Quiz #5

WEEK 10 – March 10^th - Social class continued

Reading: Ch. 6

Quiz #6

WEEK 11 – March 17^th - Ideology, Media & Education

Reading: Ch. 7

Quiz #7

WEEK 12 – March 24^th – the State

Reading: Ch. 8

Quiz #8

WEEK 13 – March 31^st – last week of classes

Review of final exam material – bring your questions to class

NOTE: The professor reserves the right to change the course syllabus. The students will be given sufficient advanced notice of any changes should they arise.