General Sociology (Fall, 2008) Syllabus/Student Contract
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Class Meets: Monday/Wednesday/ 5:30 PM – 6:45 PM;
Hibbs, Rm 403 Instructor: Dr. John S. Mahoney; Office Hours: Monday/Wednesday 9:30-10:30 AM; Tuesday/Thursday 1:00 - 2:30PM (or by
appointment) Fridays (by appointment) Web site: http://www.people.vcu.edu/~jmahoney/index.htm |
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Required Texts: (Available at the Schaefer, Richard T.
(I will be posting additional readings for you on
Blackboard). |
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Overview: This course will introduce you to the
study of humankind's most important creation‑‑ the social
group. Everything that we do is either
directly or indirectly influenced by social groups. All of our greatest achievements, good and
bad, are the products of human groups.
Even the most solitary artist or writer would be utterly devoid of
creativity without a social context in which to nurture individual genius or
without an audience from which to draw critical evaluation. It is said that the "pen is mightier
than the sword," but both were created by a far stronger power‑‑
the human group. Indeed, there is very
little in our life that occurs outside the group context. Chances are that you awoke this morning
within the confines of one group‑‑ your family (or dormitory
roommates). Perhaps you went to work,
meaning that you were in the presence of another group at your place of
employment. Right now you find
yourself in quite a different group‑‑ this class. Each of these groups influences your
behavior in very different ways. In
this course, you will examine the various skills and techniques that
sociologists employ when studying groups of people. You will then examine a wide variety of
groups themselves and the behavior they produce. |
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Course Objectives: The major objective of this course is to
teach you to develop a "Sociological Imagination." In American
society we tend to attribute human action to individual autonomy and
responsibility. For example, if two
people divorce, we say that it is a private problem and most likely, their
own fault. There may be truth to
this, but we live in a society at a time when nearly half of all marriages
formed will end in divorce. Thus, in
addition to personal factors, we must examine the "social forces"
that influence people to break their marriages. The "Sociological Imagination" is
the ability to understand the impact of society on the individual. Another course objective is to encourage
you to think critically about the social world around you and not to rely on "common
sense" when analyzing a social issue.
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Grading: Your performance in this course will be
evaluated through class participation, three short tests, three brief papers,
and a final exam. The tests will cover
material presented in class and the texts.
They will be short (30-45 minutes).
You can expect to see a variety of formats, including multiple choice,
true/false, matching, etc. The final exam
is cumulative and will be given on Wednesday, December 10 from 4-6:50
PM. I do not give make‑up tests
and exams without a valid excuse, e.g., documented illness, etc. Test scores will comprise 45 percent of
your grade. Papers will count for a
total of 15 percent. Class participation and the final exam
count 20 percent, each. (Note that
this semester the last day to withdraw from VCU courses with a grade of “W” is October 31st). |
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Class Attendance: Cutting class is not allowed. Absentees will get a "0" for the
day. If you have a serious concern
that will cause you to miss class, call or write to me in advance on the
internet. Students who miss more than 5
lectures (for any reason) may be dropped from the course at my discretion. |
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Academic Integrity Policy: I expect all students to abide by VCU's
Honor Code, which means simply, that all the work that you do for this course
(and the university as a whole) must be your own. Do not cheat and do not tolerate those who
do! Class participants who violate
the honor code can be dismissed from this course and from the university. |
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Americans With Disabilities ( |
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Classroom Conduct: Please do not carry on private
conversations in class‑‑ it is distracting and
inconsiderate. Also, please arrive on
time. If you must leave early, sit
near the exit and depart as quietly as possible. Turn off your cell phones and pagers before
you enter the classroom. |
Security-- What to Know
and Do To Be Prepared for Emergencies at VCU: |
COURSE OUTLINE
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DATE |
TOPIC |
READING ASSIGNMENT |
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SECTION
I |
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Aug. 25-
Sept 1 |
Introduction to |
Chapter 1 |
Sept. 3
- 10 |
Research Methods |
Chapter 2 |
Sept. 15
- 17 |
Culture |
Chapter 3 |
Sept. 22
- 24 |
Socialization |
Chapter 4 |
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Sept. 29 |
FIRST Test |
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SECTION II |
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Oct. 1 -
8 |
Social
Interaction/Social Structure; |
Chapter 5 |
Oct. 13
- 15 |
Groups and
Organizations |
Chapter 6
(No Class 16; 17 October—Reading Days) |
Oct. 20
- 22 |
Deviance and Social
Control |
Chapter 8 |
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Oct. 27
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SECOND Test |
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SECTION
III |
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Oct.
29 - Nov. 5 |
Social
Stratification/Mobility; |
Chapter 9 (Oct. 31-- Last day to Withdraw with
“W”) |
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Global Inequality |
Chapter 9 |
Nov. 10
- 12 |
Racial and Ethnic
Inequality; |
Chapter 10 |
Nov. 17
- 19 |
Stratification by
Gender and Age; |
Chapter 11 |
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Nov. 24 |
THIRD Test |
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SECTION
IV |
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Nov. 26
- Dec. 3 |
Social Institutions;
Family |
Chapter 12
(Thanksgiving vacation begins Nov 27th at 4:00 PM) |
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Government; Economy;
Environment |
Chapter 14 |
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Population,
Communities, and Health |
Chapter 15 |
Dec. 6 |
Fall Classes End |
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Dec.
10 (Wednesday) |
FINAL EXAM 4:00 to 6:50 PM |
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