Sociology 1010-08 TLC

Introduction to Sociology
University of Nebraska-Omaha
Spring 2013
Tues/Thursdays 11:30-12:45pm
Roskens 408
Professor: Sam Ammons
Office: ASH 383D
Office Phone: 402-554-3358

Email: sammons@unomaha.edu
Office Hours: Mondays 11-Noon; Wednesdays 9 10am
and by appointment

*email is the best way to reach me

The fascination of sociology lies
in the fact that its perspective makes
us see in a new light the very world
in which we have lived all our lives.
Peter Berger,
Invitation to Sociology

Course Description
This course is an introduction to Sociology. We will learn what Sociology is, how it differs from
other disciplines, the methods that sociologists use to study the social world, and the main
theoretical perspectives they use to understand how people interact with one another. Basically,
we will learn about & adopt a sociological perspective. We will then use this perspective to
understand a variety of topics, such as deviance/crime, family, socialization, culture, religion,
social change & social movements, race/class/gender/sexuality, education, and health and illness.
By the end of this course you should: 1) be able to understand & apply the core concepts of the
course 2) be able to understand & apply the sociological perspective and its main theories to your
life and current events 3) develop your critical thinking skills, and 4) have had fun exploring the
society in which we live & the world that we inhabit.
Required Materials
Ballantine, Jeanne H. and Keith A. Roberts. 2012. Our Social World: Introduction to Sociology,
3rd Edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Pine Forge Press.
Course Requirements
In this course, there are four non-cumulative tests and several in-class exercises.
Attendance & Participation: I take attendance at the beginning of every class session. Each day
you attend class you earn 1 point towards this grade. I will allow each student two absences (no
questions asked).
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During the semester, we will have several in-class exercises. Participation in these activities also
counts toward your grade and cannot be made-up. So, if you happen to miss one of these class
periods, your grade will suffer. It is in your best interest to attend each class session and be
prepared to participate in class.
* During the course, there may be occasional opportunities for extra credit.
Classroom etiquette & technology
I expect all students to come to class on-time. Within the first few minutes of class, I normally
take attendance, give course updates & reminders, and pass out tests. If you happen to arrive a
few minutes late to class, you will find the door to the classroom shut. Please come in and quietly
join the class.
Students must be respectful of one another while they are in my classroom. If you plan to use a
computer to take notes during class, do not surf the web or check email during class time. These
activities are highly distracting to your fellow students. Cell phones should also be either turned
off, or put on manner mode. If your laptop or cell phone interferes with the classroom learning
environment, I will ask you to put them away. Laptops must be put away or closed during films
or movies.
Due dates & late policy: I have posted the test dates below. Make-up tests will only be given
under special circumstances. Please contact me in advance (before the test) if you know you will
have a scheduling conflict and I will arrange for you to take the test a different day. If you have
an externally documented, valid reason for missing a test and get prior approval by me, you will
be allowed to take a make-up test after presenting me with your documentation (and, after I
approve it).
My contact information is posted at the top of the syllabi. I usually check email several times a
day. If you email me, I promise to respond within 24 hours. I do not, however, regularly check
email on the weekend or during university holidays. If you have questions about an upcoming
test, class reading, or otherwise need to contact me, please plan accordingly.
A note about academic dishonesty: I expect all work turned in to be your own and that test results
will reflect your knowledge of the material. According to the Student Code of Conduct, any
student found guilty of academic dishonesty is subject to both academic and disciplinary
sanctions. Do not plagiarize or cheat during exams. If you are unsure what constitutes
plagiarism, please ask and I will be happy to go over it with you.

Reasonable accommodations are provided for students who are registered with
Disability Services and make their requests sufficiently in advance. For more
information, contact Disability Services (EAB 117, Phone: 554-2872, TTY: 5543799) or go to the website: www.unomaha.edu/disability.

Grading Procedures
Grade Scale:
A+
A
A-

97-100% (456+)
93-96% (437+)
90-92% (423+)

B+
B
B-

87-89% (409+)
83-86% (390+)
80-82% (376+)

C+
C
C-

77-79% (362+)
73-76% (343+)
70-72% (329+)

D+
D
D-

67-69% (315+)
63-66% (296+)
60-62% (282+)

Attendance & Participation: 70 points

15%

Tests: 400 points

Test #1 - (100 points)
Test #2 - (100 points)
Test #3 - (100 points)
Test #4 - (100 points)

85%

Total:

100% (470 points)

Class Schedule (Tentative)

January 8: Course Overview
January 10: What is Sociology?
Required Reading: Chapter 1 (Pages 4-28)
January 15: How do we know?
Required Reading: Chapter 2 (Pages 32-46)
January 17: How do we know?
Required Reading: None
January 22: How do we know?
Required Reading: Chapter 2 (Pages 46-62)
January 24: How do we know?
Required Reading: None
January 29: Culture
Required Reading: Chapter 3 (Pages 66-102)
January 31: Culture
Required Reading: None
February 5: Test #1
3

February 7: Becoming you

Required Reading: Chapter 4 (Pages 106-130)
February 12: Becoming you
Required Reading: None
February 14: Social Structures
Required Reading: Chapter 5 (Pages 134-162)
February 19: Social Structures
Required Reading: None
February 21: Deviance & Social Control
Required Reading: Chapter 6 (Pages 166-201)
February 26: Deviance & Social Control
Required Reading: None
February 28: Test #2
March 5: Inequality
Required Reading: Chapter 7 (Pages 206-240)
March 7: Inequality
Required Reading: None
March 12: Race & Ethnicity
Required Reading: Chapter 8 (Pages 244-278)
March 14: Race & Ethnicity
Required Reading: None
March 19 & 21: SPRING BREAK (NO CLASSES)
March 26: Gender & Sexuality
Required Reading: Chapter 9 (Pages 282-314)
March 28: Gender & Sexuality
Required Reading: None
April 2: Test #3
April 4: Family
Required Reading: Chapter 10 (Pages 322-351)
April 9: Family
Required Reading: None
April 11: Education
Required Reading: Chapter 11 (Pages 354-389)
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April 16: Education, Health & Medicine

Required Reading: Chapter 14 (Pages 472-509)
April 18: Health & Medicine
Required Reading: None
April 23: How to change the world
Required Reading: Chapter 16 (Pages 560-593)
April 25: How to change the world
Required Reading: None
May 2: Test #4 (11:30-1:30pm)