Professional Documents
Culture Documents
for
SOC 111.3
Foundations in Sociology:
Society, Structure, Process
Fall 2010
The University of Saskatchewan
Course Author:
Li Zong, Ph. D.
Department of Sociology
University of Saskatchewan
Copyright © 2010 by the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada S7N 1M3
SOC 111.3 — Foundations in Sociology: Society, Structure, Process i
Contents
Introduction
Introduction................................................................ 0-1
Required Materials ...................................................... 0-1
Textbook ................................................................ 0-1
Course Overview ......................................................... 0-2
Assignments ............................................................... 0-5
Assignment 1 ......................................................... 0-5
Assignment 2 ......................................................... 0-5
Assignment 3 ......................................................... 0-6
Final Examination....................................................... 0-7
Course Requirements.................................................. 0-7
Recommended Resources............................................ 0-8
Use Online Source – MySocLab............................... 0-8
SQ3R: A Method of Study............................................ 0-9
Survey.................................................................... 0-9
Question ................................................................ 0-9
Read ...................................................................... 0-9
Recite..................................................................... 0-9
Review.................................................................. 0-10
Introduction
Required Materials
Textbook
You are required to purchase the following textbook for this course. Consult
your student information handbook for information on how to order the
book from the University of Saskatchewan Bookstore. When ordering the
book, include your course and section number as well as the author, title,
publisher, and ISBN number of the textbook.
Course Overview
This course is one part of a two-part introduction to the discipline of
sociology, the study of society. It examines theories and methods for
studying changes to the nature and organization of society from pre-
modern, to modern and post-modern. You will be introduced to core
sociological concepts used to understand social inequality, social order,
social change, and globalization. Each chapter of the course begins with
“Chapter at A Glance” and “Objectives”. The general goals for the course
are as follows:
Assig nme nt 1
Note s:
1. SOC 111.3 and SOC 112.3 can be taken in any order.
2. SOC 111.3 and SOC 112.3 are prerequisites for all upper sociology courses
3. Students not majoring in Sociology can take either or both courses to meet the social
science requirement
4. Students who have taken SOC110.6 should not take SOC111.3 or Soc 112.3 for credit.
Reading: Chapter 4
Assig nme nt 2
Assig nme nt 3
Assignments
To fulfill course requirements, you must submit three assignments and
write a final examination.
Two of the three assignments count 20% each toward your final grade,
and one assignment counts 30%. The final examination counts 30%
toward your final mark.
The schedule of assignment due dates and the date of the final
examination is listed on your syllabus information sheet. Please adhere
to these dates as they will help you pace your learning. If you think that
an assignment will be late, contact your instructor immediately. Your
instructor may deduct marks or refuse to accept late assignments.
Be sure to keep a copy of each assignment before you send it in, in case
it gets lost in the mail.
The process that you should follow in developing your analysis can be
outlined as follows:
Final Examination
A final examination, valued at 30% of the final mark, will be scheduled at
the end of term. It will be three hours long, composed of a combination of
multiple choice questions and essay questions. The essay questions will
also offer you some choices. The exam will be comprehensive in nature,
covering material from all parts of the course.
Course Requirements
It is recommend that you follow the steps listed below as you work
through the course.
Recommended Resources
Welcome to MySocLab!
To register all you’ll need is
- The access code printed underneath the flap to the right of your access
card (packaged with the textbook you purchased)
Survey
Get an idea of what the chapter is about. Examine the title, headings,
“Chapter at a Glance,” and objectives of the chapter and read the
summary at the end before beginning a careful reading of the chapter.
This survey, which will give you an overall picture of the chapter’s
content, should take only a few minutes.
Question
As you survey the text, ask a question for each section. Ask what, why,
how, when, who and where questions as they relate to the content.
Here's how you can create questions:
Read
Read materials with creative and critical thinking. Read one section of a
chapter at a time, actively looking for an answer to your question for that
section. Pay attention to bold and italicized text that authors use to make
important points. Be sure to review everything in the section, including
tables, graphs, theme boxes, and illustrations, as these features can
communicate an idea more powerfully than written text.
Recite
After each section - stop, recall your questions, and see if you can
answer them from memory. If not, look back again (as often as
necessary) but don't go on to the next section until you can recite.
in the end of the chapter. You may wish to state the answer to yourself or
write it down in note form. Keeping a set of notes with questions and
brief answers is probably the best approach. If you are unable to answer
a question, examine the material until you find the answer.
This process will prevent you from deluding yourself into believing that
you understand material when, in fact, you do not actually comprehend
it. The recitation dimension of SQ3R method is designed to replace
surface recognition of material with true understanding and
comprehension.
Review
After completing a chapter, review your notes. Identify the main points of
the reading by looking for the most important idea in each section.
Recite, or write, a brief summary of the chapter. Use online resources –
MySocLab as references and try to complete the “Applying Your
Sociological Imagination” at the end of the chapter. Complete the chapter
by reading the chapter summary once again.
Many experts have shown that using the SQ3R method improves reading
comprehension and efficiency. Students who haven’t learned a reading
strategy tend to read straight through an entire chapter and try to
remember everything. This approach is only slightly better than not
reading at all. It is not wise to read a textbook as you would read a novel.
You must actually “dig out” information and give yourself a chance to
pause and digest the information you are learning. A s u rvey prepares
you to read effectively. Q uesti oni ng maintains your concentration on
the subject, and it allows you to r ea d in short “bites.” R eci tati on of
what you have read allows you to actually participate in and check up on
your learning. Finally, r evie w of the whole chapter ties together what
you have learned and increases your understanding.
One of the most distressing experiences students have when they read is
to discover after a while that they have passed their eyes over several
pages but don’t really remember anything. More than anything else, the
SQ3R method helps to avoid this.
Module 1
Sociological Imagination:
Classical and Modern Theories
Module Overview
To many people, sociology is the most exciting subject, a fresh, lively,
and valuable way of understanding people and social phenomena. We are
all individuals, with different personalities, experiences, backgrounds,
and opportunities to make choices in our lives. However, our lives and
choices are conditioned or shaped by social and structural factors. Such
factors as where and when we are born, who our parents and family are,
whether we are male or female or white or aboriginal, and what resources
are available to us affect the kinds of persons that we become and the
opportunities that are available to us.
Module Objectives
As you work through this module, you will be able to:
Readings
Chapters 1,2, and 3
Learning Activities
1. Get t he i dea of what t he c ha pte r is ab out . Examine the
title, headings, “Chapter at a Glance,” and “Objectives” of the
chapter and read the “Summary” at the end before beginning a
careful reading of the chapter. This will give you an overall
picture of the chapter’s content.
2. Rea d t he c ha pte r. As you read, you will encounter some new
concepts, familiar concepts used in new ways, and different
terms to express similar ideas. Look at how terms are defined
when you first encounter them. Identify cues from the context of
each chapter. Try to turn the title, headings or subheadings into
questions, and ask what, why, how, when, who and where
questions as they relate to the content. Read the chapter with
creative and critical thinking. Read one section of the chapter at
a time, actively looking for an answer to your question for the
Recommended Resources
1. Use O nli ne Sou rce – My SocL ab a nd revie w your note s.
MySocLab offers you all of learning resources in one place. You
will find a number of excellent resources to help you master the
learning objectives for the chapter. In addition to the pre- and
post-test, study plan, and chapter exam that accompany every
chapter, MySocLab features a number of multimedia resources,
including an e-book version of the chapter, videos, and
peerScholar assignments. You can access MySocLab online with
an access code that comes with the textbook you purchased.
Please use Internet Explorer to access the website
www.mysoclab.com and log in “MySocLab Pegasus.”
Assignment 1
(Value: 20% of course grade)
Answer the following questions in essay form. Use 12-point font, Times
New Roman, and double-space. Write 2-3 pages for each question.
Be sure to keep a copy of each assignment before you send it in, in case it gets lost in the
mail.
Module 2
Module Overview
Sociology is an empirical subject. All theories are constructed on the
empirical basis, which is by collecting information and observing the real
world, and by summarizing, generalizing, and interpreting the
information. Sociologists, who investigate the social world, draw upon
specific rules and guidelines to help them make their observations. While
the skills that we employ in everyday life offer a useful starting point to
help us observe our world, scientific research requires additional
assurances that our observations are as complete as possible and as free
as possible from errors and bias. For these reasons, an understanding of
research methods is a central part of the development of a sociological
imagination.
As you read through the chapter, keep in mind that doing research in
sociology, as in all other scientific disciplines, continually involves a
compromise between research in an ideal sense and what can actually be
accomplished by research in any given concrete situation. This is
complicated by the recognition that there are several different
approaches to doing science. As indicated in Module 1, different
sociological perspectives offer distinct ways of defining and investigating
social issues. The distinguishing feature of a good sociological research
project, therefore, is not measured by the specific adherence to any given
formula for doing science. It is determined, instead, by the extent to
which our research provides systematic information that allows us to
confidently make useful assessments about some important aspects of
the social world. While it is not possible to cover all methodological topics
in detail in Chapter 4, you should have a better appreciation for the joys
of finding out about our social world sociologically.
Module Objectives
As you work through this module, you will be able to:
Readings
Chapter 4
Learning Activities
1. Get t he i dea of what t he c ha pte r is ab out . Examine the
title, headings, “Chapter at a Glance,” and “Objectives” of the
chapter and read the “Summary” at the end before beginning a
careful reading of the chapter. This will give you an overall
picture of the chapter’s content.
2. Rea d t he c ha pte r. As you read, you will encounter some new
concepts, familiar concepts used in new ways, and different
terms to express similar ideas. Look at how terms are defined
when you first encounter them. Identify cues from the context of
each chapter. Try to turn the title, headings or subheadings into
questions, and ask what, why, how, when, who and where
questions as they relate to the content. Read the chapter with
creative and critical thinking. Read one section of the chapter at
a time, actively looking for an answer to your question for the
section. Be sure to review everything in the section, including
tables, graphs, them boxes, and illustrations, as these features
can communicate an idea more powerful than text.
3. Take note s on t he c hap te r a nd recit e what you have
re ad. Take some notes as you read the chapter. The notes
should be a reference point to help you identify and recall the
arguments and information developed in each chapter. Note-
taking should be an aid to the learning process, allowing you to
indicate your own insights and questions as well as to state the
points made by authors. After you read each section of the
chapter, recall your questions, and see if you can answer from
memory. You should attempt to understand major concepts
listed in “Key Terms” and to answer questions listed in
“Reviewing the Concepts” in the end of the chapter. You may
wish to state the answer to yourself or write it down in note form.
If you are unable to answer a question, examine the material
again until you find the answer.
4. Complet e t he “ Applyi ng Y our Soci ol ogic al Imagi nati on”
at t he e nd of t he c hapte r. These questions at the end of the
chapter reinforce the importance of continually reflecting on your
sociological imagination by posing questions and situations that
inspire debate, discussion, and reflection. You are not required
to complete each exercise in detail or to submit any of these
exercises to the instructor for grading. However, you should
supplement your notes with a summary answer, in point form,
for each question.
Recommended Resources
1. Use O nli ne Sou rce – My SocL ab a nd revie w your note s.
MySocLab offers you all of learning resources in one place. You
will find a number of excellent resources to help you master the
learning objectives for the chapter. In addition to the pre- and
post-test, study plan, and chapter exam that accompany every
chapter, MySocLab features a number of multimedia resources,
including an e-book version of the chapter, videos, and
peerScholar assignments. You can access MySocLab online with
an access code that comes with the textbook you purchased.
Please use Internet Explorer to access the website
www.mysoclab.com and log in “MySocLab Pegasus.”
Module 3
Module Overview
Social inequality is one of the most familiar facts of social life in our
society. Whether expressed as differences in the houses or
neighbourhoods that we live in, the kinds of jobs and incomes that we
have, the amounts of control that we have over major life decisions, or
the people we identify with, social inequality pervades our lives. However,
while these inequalities are often easy to recognize, it tends to be more
difficult to make sense of them in terms of why they exist as they do and
what their consequences are for individuals, social groups, and societies.
Chapter 7 explains social inequality from the theoretical understanding
of the stratification system in Canadian and global contexts. Factors
influencing social inequality in Canada include gender, work status,
family structure, age, education, race, and living location. Chapter 7 also
differentiates between closed and open societies. In closed societies,
social inequality is based on ascribed status such as family background,
race, and gender. In open societies, social inequality is more likely
related to achieved status such as property, income, occupation, and
education.
Sociologically, the analysis of the state includes not only government, but
also government-related institutions and decision-making processes. As
you read through Chapter 16, you should be aware of the impact of the
capitalist economy on government-related activities as well as the
unequal responsiveness of the state to competing priorities. It is
important to remember that these priorities remain open to contention
and struggle on the part of different social groups. Aboriginal self-
government in the landscape of Canadian society is a good example of
such struggle.
Module Objectives
As you work through this module, you will be able to:
Readings
Chapters 7 and 16
Learning Activities
1. Get t he i dea of what t he c ha pte r is ab out . Examine the
title, headings, “Chapter at a Glance,” and “Objectives” of the
chapter and read the “Summary” at the end before beginning a
careful reading of the chapter. This will give you an overall
picture of the chapter’s content.
2. Rea d t he c ha pte r. As you read, you will encounter some new
concepts, familiar concepts used in new ways, and different
terms to express similar ideas. Look at how terms are defined
when you first encounter them. Identify cues from the context of
each chapter. Try to turn the title, headings or subheadings into
questions, and ask what, why, how, when, who and where
questions as they relate to the content. Read the chapter with
creative and critical thinking. Read one section of the chapter at
a time, actively looking for an answer to your question for the
section. Be sure to review everything in the section, including
tables, graphs, them boxes, and illustrations, as these features
can communicate an idea more powerful than text.
3. Take note s on t he c hap te r a nd recit e what you have
re ad. Take some notes as you read the chapter. The notes
should be a reference point to help you identify and recall the
arguments and information developed in each chapter. Note-
taking should be an aid to the learning process, allowing you to
indicate your own insights and questions as well as to state the
points made by authors. After you read each section of the
chapter, recall your questions, and see if you can answer from
memory. You should attempt to understand major concepts
listed in “Key Terms” and to answer questions listed in
“Reviewing the Concepts” in the end of the chapter. You may
wish to state the answer to yourself or write it down in note form.
If you are unable to answer a question, examine the material
again until you find the answer.
4. Complet e t he “ Applyi ng Y our Soci ol ogic al Imagi nati on”
at t he e nd of t he c hapte r. These questions at the end of the
chapter reinforce the importance of continually reflecting on your
sociological imagination by posing questions and situations that
inspire debate, discussion, and reflection. You are not required
to complete each exercise in detail or to submit any of these
exercises to the instructor for grading. However, you should
Recommended Resources
1. Use O nli ne Sou rce – My SocL ab a nd revie w your note s.
MySocLab offers you all of learning resources in one place. You
will find a number of excellent resources to help you master the
learning objectives for the chapter. In addition to the pre- and
post-test, study plan, and chapter exam that accompany every
chapter, MySocLab features a number of multimedia resources,
including an e-book version of the chapter, videos, and
peerScholar assignments. You can access MySocLab online with
an access code that comes with the textbook you purchased.
Please use Internet Explorer to access the website
www.mysoclab.com and log in “MySocLab Pegasus.”
Assignment 2
(Value: 20% of course grade)
Answer the following questions in essay form. Use 12-point font, Times
New Roman, and double-space. Write 2-3 pages for each question.
Be sure to keep a copy of each assignment before you send it in, in case it gets lost in the
mail.
Module 4
Module Overview
As you read through this module, you should try to understand the
interrelations among mass media, social movement, and social change.
For example, social movements, which rely on the mass media to
mobilize public awareness and support, are active forces for social
change.
In the last 60 years the media influence has grown exponentially with the
advance of technology, first there were newspapers and the telegraph,
then the radio, the television, and now the Internet. What we need to be
aware of is that most of our decisions, beliefs and values are based on
what we know as fact, our assumptions and our own experience. In our
work we usually know what we have to do based on our experience and
studies, however for our daily lives we rely on the media to get the
current news and facts about what is important and what we should be
aware of. We have put our trust on the media as an authority to give us
news, entertainment and education. However, the influence of mass
media on our kids, teenagers and society is so big that we should know
how it really works. Chapter 17 reviews the history of communication
technologies and analyzes the relationship between mass media and
society. This chapter also introduces different theoretical approaches to
mass media. What is the role of the mass media in society? Sociologists
provide different answers to the question. Inspired by Durkheim’s ideas,
structural functionalists suggest that the mass media perform key
functions for society by contributing to its order and stability. In
contrast, drawing on Marx’s work, conflict theorists argue that the mass
media help to sustain the power and inequality that characterize
capitalist society. Media institutions and media content, therefore, are a
basis for conflict between unequal groups. Feminists also focus on power
and inequality by arguing that the mass media are an aspect of
patriarchal society. They contend that media institutions and media
content contribute to the oppression of women. Who has power over
what we read, see, or hear in the mass media? The critical perspective
holds that private companies through their ownership and control of
media organizations hold much of this power. According to the critical
4-2 Module 4
Mass Media, Social Change, and Social Movements
Social problems arise when social changes make different groups aware
of conflicting values and interests. And many social changes result from
attempts to resolve social problems, whether through peaceful or violent
means, through established channels or collective behaviour. Collective
behaviour is group behaviour governed by spontaneous or emergent
norms, rather than the social norms of the larger society. Collective
behaviour does not necessarily result in negative consequences for
society. On the contrary, collective behaviour is often the basis for
positive social change – for new ways of looking at old ideas and for
implementing new values whose time has come. Collective behaviour is a
crucial determinant of social and cultural change.
trade union and labor movements. As you will learn in Module 5, new
social movements have played an important role in reflecting the
challenges associated with globalization and the environment.
Module Objectives
As you work through this module, you will be able to:
Readings
Chapters 17 and 18
Learning Activities
1. Get t he i dea of what t he c ha pte r is ab out . Examine the
title, headings, “Chapter at a Glance,” and “Objectives” of the
chapter and read the “Summary” at the end before beginning a
careful reading of the chapter. This will give you an overall
picture of the chapter’s content.
2. Rea d t he c ha pte r. As you read, you will encounter some new
concepts, familiar concepts used in new ways, and different
terms to express similar ideas. Look at how terms are defined
when you first encounter them. Identify cues from the context of
each chapter. Try to turn the title, headings or subheadings into
questions, and ask what, why, how, when, who and where
questions as they relate to the content. Read the chapter with
creative and critical thinking. Read one section of the chapter at
a time, actively looking for an answer to your question for the
section. Be sure to review everything in the section, including
tables, graphs, them boxes, and illustrations, as these features
can communicate an idea more powerful than text.
Recommended Resources
1. Use O nli ne Sou rce – My SocL ab a nd revie w your note s.
MySocLab offers you all of learning resources in one place. You
will find a number of excellent resources to help you master the
learning objectives for the chapter. In addition to the pre- and
post-test, study plan, and chapter exam that accompany every
chapter, MySocLab features a number of multimedia resources,
including an e-book version of the chapter, videos, and
peerScholar assignments. You can access MySocLab online with
an access code that comes with the textbook you purchased.
Please use Internet Explorer to access the website
www.mysoclab.com and log in “MySocLab Pegasus.”
Module 5
Globalization and
Environmental Issues
Module Overview
Globalization is a process by which regional economies and social
activities, educations, cultures, companies and organizations have
become integrated through a global network of communication,
transportation, trade, investment, and migration. It is usually
recognized as being driven by a combination of technological, political,
economic, sociocultural, and biological factors. Chapter 19 discusses the
origins, processes, causes, and consequences of globalization and
introduces different theoretical approaches to the issue.
Module Objectives
As you work through this module, you will be able to:
Readings
Chapters 19 and 20
Learning Activities
1. Get t he i dea of what t he c ha pte r is ab out . Examine the
title, headings, “Chapter at a Glance,” and “Objectives” of the
chapter and read the “Summary” at the end before beginning a
careful reading of the chapter. This will give you an overall
picture of the chapter’s content.
2. Rea d t he c ha pte r. As you read, you will encounter some new
concepts, familiar concepts used in new ways, and different
terms to express similar ideas. Look at how terms are defined
when you first encounter them. Identify cues from the context of
each chapter. Try to turn the title, headings or subheadings into
questions, and ask what, why, how, when, who and where
questions as they relate to the content. Read the chapter with
creative and critical thinking. Read one section of the chapter at
a time, actively looking for an answer to your question for the
section. Be sure to review everything in the section, including
tables, graphs, them boxes, and illustrations, as these features
can communicate an idea more powerful than text.
3. Take note s on t he c hap te r a nd recit e what you have
re ad. Take some notes as you read the chapter. The notes
should be a reference point to help you identify and recall the
arguments and information developed in each chapter. Note-
taking should be an aid to the learning process, allowing you to
indicate your own insights and questions as well as to state the
points made by authors. After you read each section of the
chapter, recall your questions, and see if you can answer from
memory. You should attempt to understand major concepts
Recommended Resources
1. Use O nli ne Sou rce – My SocL ab a nd revie w your note s.
MySocLab offers you all of learning resources in one place. You
will find a number of excellent resources to help you master the
learning objectives for the chapter. In addition to the pre- and
post-test, study plan, and chapter exam that accompany every
chapter, MySocLab features a number of multimedia resources,
including an e-book version of the chapter, videos, and
peerScholar assignments. You can access MySocLab online with
an access code that comes with the textbook you purchased.
Please use Internet Explorer to access the website
www.mysoclab.com and log in “MySocLab Pegasus.”
Assignment 3
(Value: 30% of course grade)
Write an analytical paper on a specific social issue under one of the
following general topics:
Social change
Globalization
Your paper should be 8-10 pages (12-point font; Times New Roman; and
double-spaced) in length. You must provide a bibliography, including
references to all sources of information that you draw upon in your
paper.
The purpose of this assignment is to give you experience in defining a
sociological problem and providing a systematic answer or response to
that question based upon your own experience and investigation. It is to
be an analytical paper in the sense that you will be providing information
that not only describes the issue with which you are dealing, but in
addition, you will be working towards an explanation of the problem.
The process that you should follow in developing your analysis can be
outlined as follows:
1. Develop a specific title for your paper. Define your problem or
research question: What are you trying to find out, and why?
2. Indicate the possible ways of answering the question: Which
theories, approaches or explanations can be used, or have been
used by others, to answer the question of a similar nature?
Identify, briefly, the strengths and limitations of each approach.
3. Identify your argument: Indicate how you are going to answer the
question (i.e., which approach will you take or which set of
factors will you conclude are most important to explain your
problem), and justify why.
4. Provide your empirical evidence (your own
experience/observation or secondary data) and analysis:
Organize and present your information. Your findings must be
set up in such a way as to show how and why you have
answered your question in the way that you have. You may use
your textbook as sources of information, but you should also
incorporate other books and articles.
5. Conclude your analysis: Provide a brief concluding section to
summarize your analysis and to indicate its importance.
Be sure to keep a copy of each assignment before you send it in, in case it gets lost in the
mail.