PRINCIPLES OF SOCIOLOGY

SOCIOLOGY 101

PRINCIPLES OF SOCIOLOGY

SYLLABUS

Dr. R. Martorella

Office: Science 348, ext. 2388

Phone: 201-595-2388,

Fax: 201-595-3522

email: romartin@frontier.wpunj.edu

El Lissitzky

Study for Proun 30T, 1920

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

to acquaint the student with the sociologic perspective based on systematic study rather than on common sense;
to explore our own attitudes about other groups in society, and develop a sense of cultural relativism and an appreciation of other cultures;
to develop a sense of global awareness;
to make students aware of the crucial importance of the social structure of society in terms of social class, gender, age, education, income, race and ethnicity;
to identify the persistent sources of strain and conflict among groups;
to reveal how self image and social identity emerge;
to trace the ways in which social problems are identified, perceived & resolved;
to demonstrate the differences between social problems and personal dilemmas;
to show student how to interpret and use social scientific data, and methods;
to teach students not to over generalize from personal experiences;
to learn how to apply the sociological perspective to understanding everyday life.

REQUIRED READING:

Sociology by Beth B. Hess, Elizabeth W. Markson, and Peter Stein. Fifth Edition, 1996.

New York: Allyn and Bacon. (including "Guide to the Internet for Sociologists").

Assigned articles and Lecture Notes distributed in the Package.

Articles from the New York Times, or the Library Reserve Section.

TEACHING METHODS:

Lecture presentations using PowerPoint Visuals

Class Participation (Q&A)

Guest Speaker; Films; Extra Credit Assignments

Computer-Mediated Instruction and Assignments

WEEKLY TOPICS:

WEEK 1 - INTRODUCTION

General Introduction to course requirements; Email; Listserv

Introduction to the Sociological Perspective

Extra Credit Assignment: Explore the Home Page of the Department and Course

WEEK 2 - THE STUDY OF SELF AND SOCIETY

Define the sociological perspective as the study of:

interpersonal behavior

group behavior

structure of society

social problems and social change

Read Chapter 1, pp. 1-13; 21-25

Pablo Picasso

Mother and Child, 1921-22

WEEK 3 - METHODS OF SOCIAL RESEARCH

Describe the scientific method

Distinguish between common sense knowledge and systematic research

Analyze the major steps of doing research

Distinguish between the various quantitative and qualitative methods

Read: Chapter 2, pp. 26-48

WEEK 4 - THE CULTURAL CONTEXT OF SOCIAL BEHAVIOR

Discuss how groups maintain and/or change their culture

Define and analyze the cultural universals, cultural variability, relativism,

ethnocentricism, folkways, mores, laws, norms and values

Discuss value conflict

Distinguish between norms and values (how are they measured?)

Distinguish between culture, subcultures and counter-cultures

(Case Study of Music as a Subculture)

Read: Chapter 3, pp. 51-71 and pp. 393-398

Discuss Assignment #1 - Dynamic Encounters (Computer Mediated)

Discuss Extra Credit Assignment - Group Cluster

WEEK 5 - SOCIAL STRUCTURE AND GROUP BEHAVIOR

Describe the nature of social strucure

Distinguish between ascribed and achieved social status

Describe techniques of resolving conflict

Analyze the formal organization of the Bureaucracy

Read: Chapter 4, pp. 72-76

Library Assignment: "How Moral Men Make Immoral Decisions" by J.P. Wright

Discuss Class Assignment: The New York Times (Two Articles to Analyze)

WEEK 6 and 7 - SOCIALIZATION, IDENTITY AND RESOCIALIZATION

Constantin Brancusi

The Kiss, 1909

Define and analyze the process of socialization;

Analyze such concepts as "the looking glass self," "taking the role of the other," and "the formation of self."

Read: Chapter 5, pp. 98-120

Film: Adolescence and Young Adulthood (#6, #2, #3, #7) Filmstrip

WEEK 8 - SELF IN INTERACTION ASSIGNMENT DUE

CONFORMITY AND DEVIANCE

Explain concept of deviance and why there are deviations from the norms of society;

Explain how the belief that deviants are mentally ill obscures a full understanding of deviant behavior;

Describe how the social political structure influences societal definitions of "normal" and deviant.

Discuss factors involved in deviant careers.

Read: Chapter 6, pp. 12l-142; l85-l87 (gay rights) 404-4l7 (crime rates)

WEEK 9 - MIDTERM

RETURN MIDTERM ASSIGNMENT

WEEK 10 - SOCIAL STRATIFICATION AND INEQUALITY

Compare functional and conflict theories of stratification.

Define hierarchies of power, prestige, and property.

Discuss difficulties in measuring social class.

Identify causes and conditions of poverty in the U.S.

Discuss the trend of downward mobility and impact of 90s economy.

Discuss the job market and the impact of global marketplace.

Read: Chapter 9, pp. l9l-2l9 and 427-428, 446-449

Film: Dividing the Dream" (25 min.) VC 3432 or The Nature of Jobs

WEEK 11 - RACIAL, ETHNIC AND RELIGIOUS MINORITIES

Identify four components of minority group status: gender, religion, ethnicity, and race.

Explain "institutional racism"; relative success of Asian-Americans.

Read: Chapter 11, pp. 246-273

WEEK 12 - INSTITUTIONAL SPHERES: MARRIAGE AND THE FAMILY

Contrast family structures in traditional and modern societies.

Describe process of mate selection in U.S. today, and gender role change.

Discuss causes for the relatively high divorce in United States.

Distinguish between Dual Career Couples and Traditional Couples.

Discuss the nature of dysfunctional families.

Discuss techniques for resolving interpersonal conflicts.

Read: Chapter 12, pp. 274-299

WEEK 13 - RURAL, URBAN AND SUBURBAN LIFE

Oskar Schlemmer

Bauhaus Stairway, 1932

Distinguish between rural, urban and suburban forms of life.

Analyze the nature of the "new suburbia."

Discuss the changes in demography and shifts of population in United States.

Read: Chapter 31, pp. 497-5l9

WEEK 14 - CONTEMPORARY ISSUES: POPULATION TRENDS/BABY BOOM

Understand why societies have different forms of social life.

Explain how migration, fertility, and mortality rates all influence the age structure.

Evaluate the characteristics and trends of the "baby boom" generation.

Read: Chapter 20, pp. 475-488

WEEK 15 - CONTEMPORARY ISSUES: POPULAR CULTURE, MASS MEDIA AND SPORTS

Define high and popular culture.

Debate the positive and negative effects of mass culture.

Assess the influence of media on behavior.

Discuss the Sociology of the Arts as a field of study.

Read: Chapter 22, pp. 52l-544

WEEK 16 - SOCIAL CHANGE: COLLECTIVE BEHAVIOR AND SOCIAL MOVEMENTS

Max Beckmann

Tanzbar Baden-Baden, 1923

Describe the various models used in the study of collective behavior.

Analyze the conditions under which a riot is likely.

Identify four major phases in the life course of social movements.

Read: Chapter 23, pp. 546-569, 183-185 (social change)

Collective Behavior: Chapter 23, pp. 546-568

FINAL - See handout for date and time.

GRADING SYSTEM AND EVALUATION

(short answer tests; writing assignments/projects)

Midterm (100 questions) 30%

Final (100 questions) 30%

NYTimes Articles l0%

Dynamic Encounters 10%

Computer Assignment 20%

Extra Credit

PUNCTUALITY IS ENCOURAGED

Attendance is taken at all sessions.

3 absences indicates disinterest.

Please select and retain same seat.

No hats please!!

Midterm (100 questions)	30%
Final (100 questions)	30%
NYTimes Articles	l0%
Dynamic Encounters	10%
Computer Assignment	20%
Extra Credit