The final syllabus will be available in the Learning Management System.
This is a past syllabus providing a general idea of what the course entails. This does not represent the current course's syllabus, requirements or expectations.
This course is an introduction to the discipline of Sociology. Sociology is a social science that uses the scientific method to study human society, from interactions between individuals to global social trends. In this course, you will learn the vocabulary of sociology, you'll learn major sociological theory, and you'll learn a great many facts about the social world. You'll learn to think from a sociological perspective and to apply that perspective to a variety of social institutions and phenomena, from parts of your everyday life to aspects of society you've never considered before. You'll practice writing and thinking about sociology, and you'll learn from your peers through a series of discussion assignments. This course will prepare you for further sociological coursework, and it will provide you a sociological perspective with which to view your life, your future work, and society as a whole.
This course will introduce the discipline of sociology. We will explore core sociological concepts, practice thinking and speaking sociologically, and discuss past and present sociological research. The course is designed to accomplish three goals:
UCORE [SSCI]
This course is a WSU SSCI UCORE course. SSCI courses teach students how social sciences apply empirical principles and methods to understand human beings as social agents in cultural, group, and individual contexts. They do so by familiarizing students with the methods of inquiry appropriate to the discipline as well as the key concepts and major paradigms in the social sciences. Students in SSCI courses learn to identify and understand relevant source material and to evaluate empirical research and conceptual theories, often by analyzing current issues through the lens of social science disciplines.
Expected Learning Outcomes and Evaluation Methods
| Expected Learning Outcomes | Evaluation Methods |
|---|---|
| Develop a foundational understanding of sociology, including sociological vocabulary, theory, methods, and core concepts. | Quizzes, Exams, Textbook Readings |
| Practice applying a sociological perspective to the contemporary social world and one's experience of it | Class discussions, Essay, Supplementary Readings, Films |
| Collaborative learning through respectful dialogs with peers, sharing and listening to disparate experiences of the social world | Class discussions |
Each week, students will be asked to complete a selected reading that will include chapters from the textbook as well as external sources such as news articles, scientific articles, and more. Please complete these readings before contributing to class discussions or taking quizzes. Students are encouraged to take careful notes as they read. Please contact the instructor with any questions that may arise during each week's reading.
In addition to readings, students are asked to participate in weekly discussion assignments. There are 10 discussion assignments in total, worth 15 points each (as well as one bonus discussion worth 10 possible extra credit points). To earn full credit, craft a thoughtful response to the week's discussion prompt with citations, and post your response to the discussion forum (12 points). Then, respond to 2 other students' discussion posts (1.5 points each, 3 points total). This will facilitate discussion, allowing us to learn from one another as we explore the complex world of sociology. Discussion assignments have no length requirement, but they need to be thorough enough to demonstrate competency with the week's core concepts and put forward a well-developed response to the prompt. It is a good idea to write your response first in MS Word or another word processing platform, as anything written in a Canvas text input box will remain unsaved until posted and will be lost after any browser error. Weekly discussions must use correct grammar and proper in-text citations. Try to develop a full, thoughtful, educated response to the prompt. If you find yourself struggling to achieve the grade you desire, contact your instructor for help.
There will be five quizzes, each worth 20 points. See the course schedule for quiz dates. The quizzes will cover the assigned readings. Students are encouraged to use the textbook as a resource during quizzes, but be sure to keep an eye on your allotted time. Students will have half an hour to complete each quiz.
There will be opportunities for extra credit, graded under quizzes; instructions will be given via announcements when these opportunities arise.
There will be two exams: a Midterm Exam (12.5%) and a Final Exam (12.5%). The Final Exam will not be cumulative. These exams will test students' understanding of the readings and core concepts. Students are encouraged to use the textbook as a resource during exams, but be sure to keep an eye on your allotted time. Students will have 3 hours to complete each exam.
Students will be asked to complete one essay during the course. The essay will be 4-5 double-spaced pages in length, and should be written at a college level. Students are expected to write in complete paragraphs, use formal academic language, and to develop a coherent argument that responds to the essay prompt. In-text citations are required. Guidance in writing academically and using proper ASA citations can be found in the Course Information tab.