WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY
SOCIOLOGY 101
PRINCIPLES of SOCIOLOGY
Professor: Rosanne Martorella, Ph.D.
Office: Science Building 359
Office Hours: Posted on the door
Phone: 973 - 720-2274
Fax: 201 - 595-3522
Email:
romartin@frontier.wpunj.edu
Homepage:
http://www.wpunj.edu/hmss/sociology
Society is a structure in process energized by man.
Introduction
Welcome to the introductory course in the Department of Sociology. This course is both a
requirement to all other courses in the department, and can fulfill GE requirements for
your baccalaureate degree. The course is geared for students requiring just a general background
in Sociology as well as introduce the field to those students who wish to pursue further studies in the discipline.
The course attempts to enlighten students to their own background, to become more tolerant
of others and the diveristy in society, and to gain an understanding of the major social
problems facing society today. Such topics to be covered include the nature of subcultures in society,
race and ethnicity, social class, crime and deviance, divorce and family problems,
and the changing work environment.
It is important for students to gain an understanding of themselves, especially through these college years.
This course in analyzing the nature of the development of self identity focuses on how we acquire
and maintain our identity. The theories of social psychologists (such as George Herbert Mead,
Jean Piaget, Kai Erickson and others) are discussed as exammples of the theories of socialization).
The course then shifts to an analysis of social structure by taking a look at social class
(education, income, occupation, and social status) in America today. Recent data on income and
wealth distribution, are reviewed along with the impact of the changing work environment.
Students find this topic interesting because of its relevance to their lives in their coming to
terms with future career options. The course ends with an analysis of social change and lectures focusing
on the urban environment, mass culture, and collective movements (such as crowds, mobs, and riots).
Course Objectives
acquaint students 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, and resolved
to demonstrate the differences between social problems and personal dilemmas
to show the 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 Readings
Sociology, Fourth Edition by John E. Farley. Prentice Hall, 1998.
Assigned articles and lecture notes distributed in the Package.
Articles from the Internet, New York Times, or the Library Reserve Section
Grading System and Evaluation
(short answer tests; writing assignments/projects)
30% Midterm (100 questions)
30% Final (100 questions)
10% NYTimes articles
20% Computer Assignment
10% Internet/Chapter
Extra Credit Assignments are announced throughout the semester
Teaching Methods
- Lecture presentations using PowerPoint visuals.
- Class participation (Q&A)
- Guest Speaker; Films; Extra Credit Assignments
- Computer-Mediated Instruction and Assignments
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