Introduction to the Study of Society (SOC 302)
Spring 2010
Time and Place: MW 10:00-11:00, FAC 21 (Lecture)
F 10:00-11:00, BUR 128 (Discussion/Lab) (46150)
W 1:00-2:00, RLM 6.116 (Discussion/Lab) (46155)
TH 1:00-2:00, BUR 134 (Discussion/Lab)(46160)
F 1:00-2:00, WEL 3.402 (Discussion/Lab)(46165)
W 2:00-3:00, BEN 1.124 (Discussion/Lab)(46170)
TH 2:00-3:00, MEZ 1.102 (Discussion/Lab)(46175)
Instructor: Mehdi Haghshenas Colleagues: Ying-Ting Wang: ytwang@mail.utexas.edu
Office: Burdine 539 Office/office hours: Bur 602 / M: 2:00-4:00; T:3:00-4:00
Office hours: MW: 11:00-11:50 Marcos Perez: marcosperez@mail.utexas.edu
Phone: 232-8064 Office/office hours: Bur 602/M: 1:30-2:30; Th10:00-12:00
Branden Winn: bwinn@mail.utexas.edu
Office/office hours: Bur 554/M: 3:30-4:30; Th:11:00-1:00
Objectives
Sociology 302 will offer insights to understand how social forces in society shape our behavior and influence our being. After all, we are the product of our society and vice versa. Our identities, hopes, fears, grievances and satisfactions can be derived from the patterns of socialization orchestrated within human groups. In this class, you will be introduced to the basic concept of sociological imagination, mindfulness, and principles of sociological reasoning. Many societal issues will be examined through the practice of classical theories and sociological perspectives. In this course, you will become more familiar with the nature of sociology, social construction of reality, micro and macro sociological analysis, and concepts such as culture, socialization, social structures, self and society, stratification, gender inequality, love, marriage, and divorce. Finally, we will explore the sociology of health, medicine, and the mind-body connection. In this course, we will: a) create an environment that encourages active participation, group interaction, and discussion in the learning process; b) actively encourage critical thinking; c) use different techniques in the teaching and learning process, and d) we will assess and evaluate your work and give timely feedback.
Reading List:
Text Book: James M. Henslin. 2009. Sociology: A Down to Earth Approach (Eight or ninth edition).
Reading Packet: in addition to your general sociology text, you are provided with more readings on certain topics for in-depth analysis and discussion. These readings are photocopied articles available as a packet under my name at: Paradigm (407 W. 24th St.)
*Assigned readings with asterisk below can be found on Blackboard (BB): http://courses.utexas.edu
Format and Evaluation:
This course will use a combination lecture-discussion style format. Regular attendance is required and I expect that students will come to all classes- both lectures and discussions. Please note that: the repercussion of being absent a total of 4 or more classes for the entire spring semester (without justifiable reason) is that your grade will automatically be lowered by one letter. Unexcused absences will count against your grade.
Participants' performance in the course will be based on (a) three one hour examinations (each exams counts 20%); (b) one short project paper of 3-4 pages (20%); (c) Pop quizzes (6%); class participation and group discussions (12%); individual assignments (2%). Taken together, the exams will amount 60% of the course grade. They will include multiple choice, and short answer questions. The tests are reviews of material covered in the class, group discussions, films, and readings. Exams will be taken in class. NO MAKE- UP QUIZ.
MAKE UP EXAMS: Will not be given without prior notice and a written excuse from a physician or other verified emergency situation. Failure to take a scheduled examination without making prior arrangements will result in an automatic zero for that exam.
Your paper may be a collaborative effort of 2 or 3 students. The topic must be chosen by the students and approved by the instructor and the TAs. The paper is to be typed only with 12 pt. Times or Courier font, 1.5 line spacing format, 1 to 1.25 inch margins, and numbered pages. More content and formatting guidelines will be provided closer to the due date. Papers should be submitted in-person. Email submissions will not be permitted with the exception of prior approval. Late papers will not be accepted. If a paper is not turned in by the assigned date, the grade will automatically be an F. Please keep copies of your assignments you turn in and keep track of your grades until the end of the semester. Group discussion projects and other assignments are due during the class period marked on the schedule.
Quizzes and Exercises will be given occasionally as the measures of class attendance, discussion and participation. We will use them to get input and participation from all class members. Therefore,
** ASSIGNED READINGS SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY THE DATES INDICATED.
IF YOU CANNOT REGULARLY MAKE IT TO THIS CLASS, OR CANNOT READ THE TEXTS FOR THE DATES THAT ARE ASSIGNED, PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS.
** No emailed assignments or papers will be accepted without prior arrangement having been made with the TA.
** Classroom civility: With all respect, please turn off your cell phones and do not read/eat/wearing earphones/and work on your other class assignments while in class.
TEST DATES:
Test 1: M, March 1
Test 2: W, April 7
Test 3: W, May 5
PAPER DUE DATE: March 24
Grades: Are assigned based on the standard scale: 93-100%= A; 90-92.9% = A-; 87-89.9% = B+; 83-86.9%=B; 80-82.9%= B-; 77-79.9% = C+; 73-76.9%= C; 70-72.9%=C-; 67-69.9% = D+; 63-66.9= D; 60-62.9%= D-; <60 = F. There are no grading curves.
Withdrawals: As we journey into this course, if you are unsure of your status (especially if your grades are below average), please let us assist you to clarify your position. With all respect, if you decide to withdraw, do not miss the enforced deadline.
Accommodations: Students with disabilities who need special accommodations should notify us by presenting a letter prepared by the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Office. For more information, please call 471-6259(voice) or 232-2937 (video phone). http://www.utexas.edu/diversity/ddce/ssd/
Academic Integrity: During the coursework, you should maintain a high standard of individual honor in your scholastic work. Students who violate University rules on scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and / or dismissal from the University. Cheating or plagiarism (including signing others’ names on attendance sheets) will not be tolerated.
Religious Holy Days: If you miss the class for the observance of a religious holy day, please inform the instructor and your TA as far in advance.
Course outline
Please pay attention to the course schedule and complete reading assignments before coming to class.
1/20 Introduction to Course
1/25
Topic: Taking a New Look at the Familiar World: The Insights of Sociology
Readings:
1. Peter Berger, "Invitation to Sociology"
2. C. Wright Mills, "The Sociological Imagination"
3. Michael Schwalbe, Selections from “The Sociologically Examined Life” * Chapter One: "Making Sense of the World Differently”.
1/27; 2/1-8
Topic: The Classical Tradition and Sociological Perspectives (Group Discussion 1)
Readings:
1. Chapter 1, James Henslin, "The sociological perspective"
2. Emile Durkheim, “ What Make Sociology Different?” From The Rules of Sociological Method
3. Emile Durkheim, "Egoistic suicide"
4. Karl Marx, "The working of social class"
5. Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, “The Communist Manifesto”
6. Karl Marx, "Alienation in work"
7. Max Weber, “the Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism”
2/10, 15, 17 (Group Discussion 2)
Topic: Culture
Readings:
1. Chapter 2; James Henslin, "Culture"
2. E.W. Fernea and R. Fernea, "A look behind the veil"
3. Fatema Mernissi, “The Western Woman’s Harem”
4. Horace Miner, "Body ritual among the Nacirema,"
5. Edward T. Hall & M.R. Hall, "The sounds of silence”
6. Marvin Harris, "India's sacred cow"
7. Robert Levine, “A Geography of Time”
8. E. Richard Sorenson, “Growing up as a Fore is to be in touch and free”
2/22, 24 (Exam Review)
Topic: Social Construction of Reality, Building Identity, and Socialization
Readings:
1. Chapter 3, James Henslin, "Socialization"
2. Robert B. Moore, “Racism in the English Language”
3. George H. Mead, “The Self as Social Structure,"
4. Patricia A. Adler & Peter Adler, “the Glorified Self.”
5. Henry A. Giroux, “Disney, Casino Capitalism and the Exploitation of Young Boys: Beyond the Politics of Innocence”. *
March 1
FIRST EXAM
3/3, 8 (Group Discussion 3)
Topic: Social Structure, Social Interaction, and Presentation of Self
Readings:
- Chapter 4, J. Henslin
2. Philip Meyer, "If Hitler asked you to electrocute a stranger, would you? Probably"
3. Herbert Kelman and V. Lee Hamilton, “The My Lai Massacre: A Military Crime of Obedience”
4. Ervin Goffman, “The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life: Selection”
5. Eugenia Kaw, “ ‘Opening’ Faces: The politics of Cosmetic Surgery and Asian American Women”
6. Sharlene Hesse-Biber, “Becoming a Certain Body”
3/10 Paper discussion
March 15-19 Spring Break
March 24---Paper Due
3/ 22, 24 (PAPER DUE)
Topic: Organizations, Bureaucracy, and Work
Readings:
- Chapters 7 and 14, J. Henslin
- Max Weber, "Bureaucracy and Modern Society,"
- Max Weber, “The Disenchantment of Modern Life”
- Juliet B. Schor, “The Overworked American”
- George Ritzer, "The McDonald's System”
- John Van Maanen, “The Smile Factory: Work at Disneyland”
3/ 29 / 31; APR 2(Exam Review)
Topic: Social Stratification (The Global Perspective), Power, Class, and Privileged
Readings:
1. Chapters 9 and 10, J. Henslin
- Herbert Gans, “The Uses of Povery: The Poor Pay All”
- Jonathan Kozol, “Savage Inequality”
- G. William Domhoff, “The Bohemian Grove”
- Gregory Mantsios, “Media Magic: Making Class Invisible”
- John Isbister, “The foundations of Third World Poverty”
- William Greider, “These Dark Satanic Mills”
4/ 5 (Exam Review)
April 7 Second Exam
4/ 12, 14 (Group Discussion 4)
Topic: Social Inequality (Continued); Gender Inequality and Work Force
Readings:
- Chapter 11, J. Henslin
- Arlie Hochschild & Anne Machung, "Men who share the second shift"
- Ruth Sidel, “Mixed Messages”
- Barrie Thorne, “Boys and Girls Together But Mostly Apart”
- Allan Johnson, “Unraveling the Gender Knot”
4/19, 21
Topic: Institutions: Sociology of Love/ Marriage, Family, and Divorce
Readings:
1.Chapter 16, J. Henslin
- Giri R. Gupta, "Love, arranged marriage, and the Indian social structure"
- N. Glenn, “Summery of National Survey On Marriage in America”
- Frank Furstenberg, “The future of Marriage”
- Karla Hackstaff, “Divorce culture: a quest for relational equality in marriage”
- S. Coontz, “Where are the good old days”
- Arlene and Jerome Skolnick, “Family in Transition”
- Fred M. Hechinger, "Why France outstrips the United States in nurturing its children"
4/26, 28
Topic: The Sociology of the Body: Mind-body connection
Chapter 19, J. Henslin
1. John H. Evans “A Brave New World? How Genetic Technology Could Change Us
2. Keith J. Karren et al, “ Pshchoneuronimmunology: The Connection Between the Mind and the Body”* On BB
3. Keith J. Karren et al, “Social Support, Relationships, and Health”* On BB
4. David A. Karp, “Depression, disconnection, and the Meanings of Illness”
5/ 3 Exam Review—5/6 Third Exam
May 7 wrap up