Introductory Sociology

Course Details

Course Number: 1133  Section Number: 104

Fall 2010

Location: Prothro-Yeager Hall

Classroom Number: 100

Days & Times:

MWF 12-1

Course Attachments

Textbooks
MSU Faculty Member
Dr. Josh Packard   
view Profile »

Course Objectives

In this introductory course you will learn sociological theories, concepts and ideas related to social science research, social inequality and social institutions.  Consistent with the quote from Berger above, we will use three social issues (Religious Fundamentalism, Hurricane Katrina, Same-Sex Marriage) as a lens for examining the foundations of social structure.  Throughout this course we will focus on applying the foundational theoretical perspectives in sociology (conflict theory, structural-functionalism, and symbolic interactionism) to the various social phenomena at work in these issues.  The goal of this class is not to change the way you currently think, though that may happen.  Rather, the goal is to give you another tool with which to make sense of the world. 

 

Class will be a time for discussion, lecture and activity.  Your participation will be expected.  Sociology is unique because of its ability to integrate information from many different sources.  It will be crucial that you become one of those sources during this semester.  In other words, you will be expected to synthesize information from your background and experiences with the readings.  In this course you will gain both a sociological framework with which to think about the world and the ability to communicate those thoughts.


Course Expectations

Course requirements:

  • Required Texts

                        Conley, Dalton. 2008. You May Ask Yourself: An Introduction to Thinking Like a Sociologist. New York, NY: W.W. Norton.


Grading Standards

Final Exam12/6/2010  330-530

Submission Format Policy


Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Late Paper Policy

Late work is not accepted


Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Attendance Requirements
  • Attendance

You are both teacher and student in this class.  Thus, your attendance is imperative.  Without being in class, you will not learn much, and you will not be able to teach us what you know.  Attendance involves more than physical presence, however.  You must come to class prepared.


Other Policies

A Note about Assignments:

Your exams will be in class.  They will cover both material in the book and material that comes up in the course of our class sessions. This includes information from the various films we will watch.  Let me assure you that the media we encounter in class should not be consumed the same way that you consumed the movies your history teacher/coach showed every Friday during football season.   The exams will be designed to assess a variety of different learning levels and styles.  Thus, you can expect to encounter everything from multiple choice to definitions to short answer and essay questions. 

 

The Breaching Exercise is one of the most interesting and fun things for students.  You will work in groups of 3 or 4 to examine the power of social norms and values.  In addition to performing the experiment, you will turn in a written research report of your experiences.  You will get this assignment in the middle of the semester and have a course release to complete the assignment.

 

Periodically, I will give quizzes at the beginning of class.  These quizzes will begin promptly at the beginning of class and last approximately 10 minutes.  Additionally, there will be occasional homework assignments that will count as quiz grades.  Your lowest two quiz grades will be dropped.  If you miss a quiz, you will receive a 0.  Excused absences do not count toward this total.  Petition for an excused absence must be submitted to me in writing within one week of absence.  The quizzes will be from the book and can be practiced at www.wwnorton.com/college/soc/conley/by clicking on an individual chapter, the Learn tab, and then taking the diagnostic quiz for that chapter.

 

 

Class Policies:

 

Office Hours and Email Policy: I will hold office hours on the following days and times throughout the semester: M/W/F: 930-1100; 100-130 and T/TH 930-1100; 1230-100.  If you cannot make one of these times, please get in touch with me and we’ll work something out. 

 

My preferred method of electronic communication with students is via IM.  I’ll be available throughout the day.  My AIM screen-name is “Dr Josh Packard” (please note the lack of a “period” after Dr due to AOL’s bizarre screen-name policies).  If you have a question that needs a quick response, this will probably work best.  That being said, I respond to email every morning and (usually) every afternoon.

 

Extra Credit:There are typically several extra credit opportunities available throughout the semester.  These almost always come in the form of an event or speaker you can attend.  In order to receive credit, you need to attend the event and turn in a one-page, double spaced, paper connecting the event to our class in some way (e.g., speaker discussed similar topic which added to your understanding in some way).  These papers are due no later than one-week after the event. 

 

Classroom Behavior:It should go without saying that you will need to come to class having read the assignments AND be prepared to discuss them.  If you find that you are having difficulty talking in class or understanding the readings, please do come and see me so we can work on this together.  Of course, there should be no electronic communication during class (text, IM, email, twitter, etc.).

 

Please turn your phone OFF when you come into class.

 

Honor Code:Cheating will not be tolerated under any circumstances and will result in immediate disciplinary action.  “As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else to do so” (Midwestern State University Student Honor Creed).

 

Plagiarism:Don’t do it.  If you have concerns about how to cite a source and give proper credit, please see me or a librarian.

 

By enrolling in this course, the student expressly grants MSU a 'limited right' in all intellectual property created by the student for the purpose of this course.  The 'limited right' shall include but shall not be limited to the right to reproduce the student's work product in order to verify originality and authenticity, and educational purposes.

 

Accommodation of Disabilities: Individuals requiring special accommodations according to the Americans with Disabilities Act please present the instructor with a special Accommodation Request Form from the Office of Disability Support Services.


Writing Proficiency Requirement All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.