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Soc 101 Introduction to Sociology (Section 001) Sociology Department, University of Waterloo (Fall 2010)

Course Instructor: Dr. C. Barry McClinchey Office: Room 2056, PAS E-mail: bmcclinc@watarts.uwaterloo.ca
Required Text:

Meeting Time: Wednesdays 7:00 8:50pm Location: Humanities Theatre HH 159

Ravelli, Bruce and Webber, Michelle, Exploring Sociology, Pearson Canada, Toronto, Ontario 2009. ISBN # 13:978-0-13-239465-9 (Available at the University of Waterloo Bookstore.)
Note: You need to ensure that the access card for Pearsons MY SocLab is included in your purchase. You may also consider purchasing to the electronic copy of the text at a reduced cost. (The My SocLab from Pearson does not have any course graded features or component. It may be a useful course resource for your study purposes.)

Course Description:
An introduction to the basic concepts and frames of reference of sociological investigation and interpretation. Topics will include the basics of sociological theory, culture, socialization, groups and organizations, crime and deviance, social stratification and class, global stratification, race and ethnic relations, sex and gender, power politics and government and religion. Throughout the course the topics for discussion will be examined within the framework of relevant sociological theory. By the end of the course, you will be able to:
1. Identify the purpose of Sociology and the types of questions and research strategies used to understand and explain issues, organizations and institutions in society. 2. Differentiate between macro and micro analyses of society. 3. Describe the historical development of sociology, its major founders (Marx, Durkheim, Weber etc.) and their main ideas and contributions. 4. Apply and formulate explanations of social issues and institutions utilizing the major sociological perspectives. 5. Recognize and apply the specific sociological terms, definitions and concepts.

Course learning outcomes, assignments, tests and exam: Online Graded Test #1: (Refer to Online Course Schedule) Online Graded Test #2: (Refer to Online Course Schedule) Online Graded Test #3: (Refer to Online Course Schedule) Course Assignments (2) (Refer to Online Course Schedule) Online Group Discussion: (Refer to Online Course Schedule) Final Examination: (Refer to Online Course Schedule)

30% (Total course mark value for all three graded tests.) 20% 15% 35%

It is expected that all students will complete the required readings. Students are responsible for attending all scheduled classes and recording notes that reflect class discussions and lecture topics. Review tests, the course project assignments and the final exam will be set on the assumption that the required chapters from the assigned course textbook have been read. All topics discussed in class and presentations by guest speakers may be the subject of assignment, test or examination question items. Sociology 101 (Section 001) is a blended course that combines on campus class lectures and a Final Examination with required online graded components that are found on the University of Waterloo ACE course website. In order to facilitate success in the course, each student will need to logon to ACE with a user name and password and complete the required online components by the stated completion date and time. Each student will be assigned to a team section of the course and a discussion group and will have a course teaching assistant assigned. The teaching assistant will be your contact throughout the course. You will have access to your team and the teaching assistant assigned to your team.

Sociology 101
Course Learning Outcomes

Course
Teaching and Learning Methods
Lectures Readings (Text) Group Discussions Online Polls Assignment Graded Tests Chapter Review Questions Final Examination

Planning
Formative and Summative Evaluation Online Discussion Group (F, S) Online Graded Tests (S) Online Assignment ( F, S ) Final Examination (S)

1. Identify the purpose of Sociology and the types of questions and research strategies used to understand and explain issues, organizations and institutions in society.

2. Differentiate between macro and micro analyses of society.

Lectures Readings (Text) Group Discussions Graded Tests Chapter Review Questions Assignment Final Examination Lectures Readings (Text) Group Discussions Graded Tests Chapter Review Questions Assignment Final Examination Lectures Readings (Text) Group Discussions Assignment Online Polls Graded Tests Chapter Review Questions Final Examination Lectures Readings (Text) Group Discussions Assignment Graded Tests Chapter Review Questions Assignment Graded Tests

Chapter Review Questions (F) Online Polls (F) Study Guide (F)

3. Describe the historical development of sociology, its major founders (Marx, Durkheim, Weber etc.) and their main ideas and contributions.

4. Apply and formulate explanations of social issues and institutions utilizing the major sociological perspectives.

5. Recognize and apply the specific sociological terms, definitions and concepts.

All technical issues will need to be referred to the ACEHELP.

Course Tests: 30% of overall course grade


There will be three multiple choice course review tests consisting of 40 questions. These tests will be completed online during a specific time. The test question items will be generated randomly from a set test question bank. You will have 50 minutes to complete the 40 selected question items. The test will be graded once you have submitted the test.

Online Group Discussion: 15% of overall course grade Each student will be assigned to an online discussion group of 10 to 17 students. You will be expected to logon to participate in a discussion response to a posted question once during the course. It is very important to ensure that you begin your group discussions on the posted dates. Your grade for the discussion group will be assigned according to the description in the rubric found on the course website.

Course Assignments: 20% of overall course grade


There will be two course assignments. The assignments will be written reflections to a discussion issue presented in class and submitted in person on the required due date specified in the course syllabus.

Final Examination: 35% of overall course grade


The final examination will consist of multiple choice and true/false type questions and will cover the entire scope of the topics discussed in class and in the assigned readings.

Please Read the Following Notices:


Academic Integrity: In order to maintain a culture of academic integrity, members of the University of Waterloo are expected to promote honesty, trust, fairness, respect and responsibility. [Check http://www.uwaterloo.ca/academicintegrity/ for more information.] Discipline: A student is expected to know what constitutes academic integrity, to avoid committing academic offences, and to take responsibility for his/her actions. A student who is unsure whether an action constitutes an offence, or who needs help in learning how to avoid offences (e.g., plagiarism, cheating) or about rules for group work/collaboration should seek guidance from the course professor, academic advisor, or the Undergraduate Associate Dean. When misconduct has been found to have occurred, disciplinary penalties will be imposed under Policy 71 Student Discipline. For information on categories of offenses and types of penalties, students should refer to Policy 71 - Student Discipline, http://www.adm.uwaterloo.ca/infosec/Policies/policy71.htm. For typical penalties check Guidelines for the Assessment of Penalties, http://www.adm.uwaterloo.ca/infosec/guidelines/penaltyguidelines.htm. Grievance: A student who believes that a decision affecting some aspect of his/her university life has been unfair or unreasonable may have grounds for initiating a grievance. Read Policy 70 - Student Petitions and Grievances, Section 4, http://www.adm.uwaterloo.ca/infosec/Policies/policy70.htm. When in doubt please be certain to contact the departments administrative assistant who will provide further assistance. Appeals: A student may appeal the finding and/or penalty in a decision made under Policy 70 - Student Petitions and Grievances (other than regarding a petition) or Policy 71 - Student Discipline if a ground for an appeal can be established. Read Policy 72 - Student Appeals, http://www.adm.uwaterloo.ca/infosec/Policies/policy72.htm. Academic Integrity website (Arts): http://arts.uwaterloo.ca/arts/ugrad/academic_responsibility.html Academic Integrity Office (UW): http://uwaterloo.ca/academicintegrity/

Please take note of the following:


1. It is your responsibility to complete each required course component by the date and time assigned to you on the University of Waterloo ACE course website. 2. It is also your responsibility to complete each required course component by the date and time described on the University of Waterloo ACE website. 3. Course components will not be re-set unless caused by verified technical difficulties. 4. The final exam will be scheduled by the registrars office. 5. Special Needs Students:

Note for students with disabilities: The Office for Persons with Disabilities (OPD), located in Needles Hall, Room 1132, collaborates with all academic departments to arrange appropriate accommodations for students

with disabilities without compromising the academic integrity of the curriculum. If you require academic accommodations to lessen the impact of your disability, please register with the OPD at the beginning of each academic term.
7. Each student will be assigned to a specific section of the course with an assigned teaching assistant. The teaching assistant will be your contact person for the course and will monitor and evaluate the graded online discussions which are part of the course requirements. Each student will be able to access your specific course section by logging-on to the course ACE website with your University of Waterloo username and ID. All correspondence and questions related to the course will be accessed from your section website. The teaching assistant assigned to your course section will be your contact person. 8. Course requirements that are missed will not be re-set. You will not be able to complete the course component. Any missed course components that are caused by technical conditions beyond a students control will be resolved on an individual basis.

Outline of Session Topics and Readings See the online course schedule for test, assignment and discussion group due dates and deadlines. Session 1: Wednesday September 15, 2010.
What is Sociology? Introduction to Sociological Perspectives Classical Sociological Theories The Sociological Imagination Required Reading: Ravelli, Bruce and Webber, Michelle, Exploring Sociology, Pearson Canada, Toronto,

Ontario 2009. (Chapters One and Chapter Two)

Session 2: Wednesday September 22, 2010.


Modern Sociological Theories Research Methods and Ethics Required Reading: Ravelli, Bruce and Webber, Michelle, Exploring Sociology, Pearson Canada, Toronto,

Ontario 2009. (Chapter Three and Four)

Session 3: Wednesday September 29, 2010.


Culture Required Reading: Ravelli, Bruce and Webber, Michelle, Exploring Sociology, Pearson Canada, Toronto,

Ontario 2009. (Chapter Five)

Session 4: Wednesday October 6, 2010.


Socialization Required Reading: Ravelli, Bruce and Webber, Michelle, Exploring Sociology, Pearson Canada, Toronto,

Ontario 2009. (Chapter Six)

Session 5: Wednesday October 13, 2010.


Social Inequality Required Reading: Ravelli, Bruce and Webber, Michelle, Exploring Sociology, Pearson Canada, Toronto,

Ontario 2009. (Chapter Seven)

Session Six: Wednesday October 20, 2010.


Gender Required Reading: Ravelli, Bruce and Webber, Michelle, Exploring Sociology, Pearson Canada, Toronto,

Ontario 2009. (Chapter Eight)

Session Seven: Wednesday October 27, 2010.


Education Required Reading: Ravelli, Bruce and Webber, Michelle, Exploring Sociology, Pearson Canada, Toronto,

Ontario 2009. (Chapter Twelve)

Session Eight: Wednesday November3, 2010.


Religion Required Reading: Ravelli, Bruce and Webber, Michelle, Exploring Sociology, Pearson Canada, Toronto,

Ontario 2009. (Chapter Thirteen)

Session Nine: Wednesday November 10, 2010.


Crime, Law and Regulation Required Reading: Ravelli, Bruce and Webber, Michelle, Exploring Sociology, Pearson Canada, Toronto,

Ontario 2009. (Chapter Fourteen)

Session Ten: Wednesday November 17, 2010.


Mass Media

Required Reading: Ravelli, Bruce and Webber, Michelle, Exploring Sociology, Pearson Canada, Toronto,

Ontario 2009. (Chapter Seventeen)

Sessions Eleven: Wednesday November 24, 2010.


Globalization Required Reading: Ravelli, Bruce and Webber, Michelle, Exploring Sociology, Pearson Canada, Toronto,

Ontario 2009. (Chapter Nineteen)

Session Twelve: Wednesday December 1, 2010.


The Global Environment Required Reading: Ravelli, Bruce and Webber, Michelle, Exploring Sociology, Pearson Canada, Toronto,

Ontario 2009. (Chapter Twenty)

Final Exam: Please refer to the course website for Final Examination Details.

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