“You cannot afford to think of being here to receive an education; you will do much better to think of yourselves as being here to claim one.” – Adrienne Rich
Sociological Imagination
Soc 1033 – Spring 2008
T, TH 9:30-10:45
CH 122
Dr. Lara Foley E-mail: lara-foley@utulsa.edu
Office: Chapman 210 Office Hours: T, TH 9:00-9:30, 1:30-2:30 or by appointment
Phone: 631-2050 Website: http://www.personal.utulsa.edu/~lara-foley/
The University of Tulsa Mission
The University of Tulsa is a private, independent, doctoral-degree-granting institution whose mission reflects these core values: excellence in scholarship, dedication to free inquiry, integrity of character, and commitment to humanity.
The University achieves its mission by educating men and women of diverse backgrounds and cultures to:
This course is an introduction to the discipline of sociology. This semester we will explore the specific concepts and approaches that are the foundation of the discipline by examining how the “everyday world” is affected by larger structural phenomena such as cultures, groups, organizations, and social institutions. We will make the familiar unfamiliar by critically examining what we experience as commonplace and ordinary life.
Course Objectives:
Students will also pick ONE of the following three books.
Expectations:
As a student in this course you will be expected to:
· Attend class on a regular basis.
· Be prepared for class: It is important that you complete the assigned reading before each class period.
· Show a basic level of respect and common courtesy to the instructor and your colleagues: arrive for class on time; remain quiet during lecture and when others are asking questions.
· Participate in class: If something is covered in lecture or in the text which you do not understand, ASK A QUESTION (chances are at least one or more of your colleagues will have the same or similar question). You will be held responsible for the assigned material on the examination, so it is in your best interest to ask questions. Further, if you have a comment you would like to interject which is pertinent to the material being covered, please share your insights, experiences, and opinions with the professor and your fellow students.
What you can expect from me:
· To be on time and be prepared for class.
· To teach the basic concepts that make up the discipline of sociology and to connect them to “real life.”
· To be available during my office hours and via e-mail.
· To show respect and courtesy to students.
· To facilitate discussion and create an environment where everyone feels comfortable speaking in class.
· To give critical feedback on your work in order to help you improve your skills.
1. Everyone has the right to their own opinion, but should also remember that others also have the right to a classroom free from hostility, ridicule, or embarrassment, and an atmosphere conducive to learning. Discrimination, harassment, or intimidation will not be tolerated. Every student is expected to participate in a responsible and mature manner that enhances education. Any conduct that disrupts the learning process may lead to disciplinary action.
2. See the Student Handbook for the University of Tulsa’s policies on plagiarism and academic misconduct. You are responsible for understanding what plagiarism is and avoiding it. If you have questions, please ask me.
3. Students with disabilities should contact the Center for Student Academic Support to self-identify their need in order to facilitate their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Center for Student Academic Support is in Lorton Hall, Rm 210. Website: http://www.utulsa.edu/academicsupport/ Phone: 631-2315.
4. All students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with and take advantage of services provided by the Center for Student Academic Support such as tutoring, academic counseling, and developing study skills. The center for Student Academic Support provides confidential consultations to any student with academic concerns as well as to students with disabilities.
5. Students are also encouraged to familiarize themselves with and take advantage of the free counseling services available through the Counseling and Psychological Services Center. Counselors are available to help with a wide range of issues – from coping with stress and sleep difficulties to substance abuse and loss and grief. Website: http://www.utulsa.edu/CPSC/
Exercise 1 15%
Exercise 2 15%
Exercise 3 15%
Exercise 4 15%
Group presentation 10%
Final Exam 30%
Exercises
Students will complete the four exercises listed below to be turned in on the dates listed on the reading schedule below. Each assignment should be 2-3 typed pages of commentary or analysis PLUS any notes or lists you make in the process of completing the assignment.
1. Television as a Socializing Agent - p. 38-39 in Exercises in Sociology
2. Criminal Court System – p. 92-93 in Exercises in Sociology
3. Religion Concepts and Functions - p. 147-148 in Exercises in Sociology
4. Environmental Toxins – p. 195-197 in Exercises in Sociology
Group Presentation
The group that is reading each of the three books - Virginity Lost, Blue-Chip Black, and Brewing Justice - will give a presentation to the class on the book. Each member of the group should participate in the presentation. The group should cover 1) a brief summary of the book 2) the overarching question or argument the book addresses 3) the research methods employed by the author 4) the author’s use of the sociological imagination 5) the social institutions that are affected by the “problem” or situation addressed in the book 6) other ways the book’s arguments are related to concepts covered in class. Each group should also be prepared to respond to questions from the audience. These presentations will be excellent preparation for the final exam.
Exam
The final exam will be an in-class short answer and take-home essay exam applying concepts from the course readings to an analysis of the final book.
Attendance and Participation
I will not formally take attendance, but I do pay attention to who is in class and who is participating on a regular basis and I will use this information to make decisions about “close” grades.
A: Outstanding, superior, the best of the best. Written work is presented at the college level, using Standard English, with the very minimum of spelling, punctuation, or grammatical errors. Shows clear grasp of concepts and demonstrates ability to synthesize material from both inside and outside the classroom. Meets deadlines. Goes beyond description to analysis. “A” papers are both creative and logical. “A” presentations are thorough, clear and articulate with outstanding content and visual aids.
B: Very Good. Clearly above average. Written work is presented at the college level, but might have an occasional confusing spot, sentence or spelling mistake, and a somewhat less developed or less creative analysis. Presentations are very good, but might have a few content or style problems.
C: Good. Average. These papers might reveal that the writer probably understands the concepts, but the quality of writing is confusing or underdeveloped so that these essays would not teach concepts to an uneducated audience. These are essays that summarize the readings with no attempt at analysis. Presentations have decent content but may be difficult to follow or have several style problems.
D/F: Below expectations. Below what one would normally expect from a student at the college level. Writing marred by mechanical problems. Papers will fail if the level of writing is so confusing, underdeveloped, or error ridden that the reader cannot tell what the writer knows or means. Presentations do not make sense.
KEY:
S= Schaefer text Sociology Matters
MF=McGeever and Faupel text Exercises in Sociology
Reading Schedule*
Tues., Jan. 15 – Introduction to Class
Thurs., Jan. 17 – S-Chapter 1 “The Sociological View”
MF-“The Promise” by C. Wright Mills
Tues., Jan. 22 – MF-“Say What you Mean” by G. Evans Witt
Thurs., Jan. 24 – S-Chapter 2 “Culture and Socialization”
MF-“Body Ritual Among the Nacirema” by Horace Miner
Tues., Jan. 29 – MF-“Identity Transformation in a Maximum Security Prison” by Schmid
Assignment 1 due Television as a Socializing Agent - p. 38-39 in Exercises in Sociology
For article referenced in assignment click here
Thurs., Jan. 31 – S-Chapter 3 “Social Structure, Groups, and Organizations” MF-“Pathology of Imprisonment” by Philip Zimbardo
Tues., Feb. 5 – MF-“Banana Time” by Donald Roy
Thurs., Feb. 7 - S-Chapter 4 “Deviance”
MF-“A Career Perspective on Heroin Use” by Charles Fapuel
Tues., Feb. 12 – S-Chapter 8 “Social Institutions: Family”
MF-“Love, American Style” by Lisa Phillips
Assignment 2 due Criminal Court System – p. 92-93 in Exercises in Sociology
Thur., Feb. 14 – S-Chapter 8 "Social Institutions: Religion"
MF-“A Peculiar People” by Kephart and Zellner
Tues., Feb. 19- Class Canceled (Reading Day)
Thurs., Feb. 21 - Class Canceled (Reading Day)
Tues., Feb. 26 – S-Chapter 9 “Education, Government, and the Economy”
MF-“The Negotiated Order of the Classroom” by O’Keefe and Faupel
Assignment 3 due Religion Concepts and Functions - p. 147-148 in Exercises in Sociology
Thurs., Feb. 28 – MF-“The Power Elite” by C. Wright Mills
Tues., March 4 – S-Chapter 10 “Population, Community Health, and the Environment”
MF-“Cornerville and It’s People” by William Foote Whyte
Thurs., March 6 – MF-“The Historical Transformation of a Grassroots Environmental Group” by Alley, Faupel, and Bailey
Tues., March 11 – MF-“Millions for Viagra, Pennies for Diseases of the Poor” by Silverstein
Assignment 4 due Environmental Toxins – p. 195-197 in Exercises in Sociology
Thurs., March 13 – S-Chapter 11 “Social Movements, Social Change and Technology”
MF-“How Will the Internet Change Society” by Kanagy and Kraybill
Tues., March 18 – SPRING BREAK
Thurs., March 20 – SPRING BREAK
Tues., March 25 – Brewing Justice (Only those reading this book attend)
Thurs., March 27 – Blue-Chip Black (Only those reading this book attend)
Tues., April 1 – Virginity Lost (Only those reading this book attend)
Thurs., April 3 – Brewing Justice (Only those reading this book attend)
Tues., April 8 – Blue-Chip Black (Only those reading this book attend)
Thurs., April 10 – Virginity Lost (Only those reading this book attend)
Tues., April 15- Group Presentation (mandatory attendance for the whole class)
Thurs., April 17 – Group Presentation (mandatory attendance for the whole class)
Tues., April 22 – Group Presentation (mandatory attendance for the whole class)
Thursday, April 24 – Final Exam (in class portion)
Take home portion of final exam – due Thur. May 1 by noon to CH 210.
* I reserve the right to make changes to the reading schedule as necessary.
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