Sociology

Course Description

Sociology is the scientific study of society, including patterns of social relationships, social interaction, and culture. Sociology can help us to understand ourselves better, since it examines how the social world influences the way we think, feel, and act. Sociologists can gather systematic information from which to make a decision, provide insights into what is going on in a situation, and present alternatives.  The class will revolve around analytical reading, persuasive writing and discussion.  Audiovisual materials and computer technology will be used as necessary. Collaborative projects and research will be important in Sociology.

Goals

Students will:

• Understand what the science of sociology is, its foundations, and why there are theories in sociology.

• Analyze data and understand that the field depends on systematic observation and analysis.

• Understand the elements of the scientific method when applied to Sociology.

• Understand the concepts of ethnocentrism, subcultures, countercultures, and global culture.

• Identify norms and values in everyday life.

• Understand the idea of cultural “schemas”.

• Describe the social construction of deviance and conformity.

• Understand the concept of social control.

• Understand that deviance is relative to time and place

• Explain the concepts of social structure, including statuses, roles, institutions, and social networks.

• Understand the primary agents and process of socialization.

• Analyze the contents, contexts, and process of socialization.

• Explain how institutions are organized, how inequality is reproduced and/or challenged in institutions, and how they vary within different societies/cultures.

Course Requirements:

• Tests and Quizzes

• Papers and Projects

• Participation

• Homework

• Comprehensive Semester Exam

• Online Course Work

Text used and other recommended materials: 

• Sociology: Understanding Society

• Sociology in Our Times

• Various Articles, Text Excerpts, and Primary Sources

Evaluation

At the end of the marking period, the teacher will calculate students’ grades from tests, daily quizzes, specific assignments, etc.  Letter grades will be assigned by the scale below.  

Student scores that result in .05 or higher should be rounded up.  The following percentage scale applies.

100 - 91.5  = A

91.4 - 89.5 = A-

89.4 - 87.5 = B+

87.4 - 81.5 = B

81.4 - 79.5 = B-

79.4 - 77.5 = C+

77.4 - 71.5 = C 

71.4 - 69.5 = C-

69.4 - 67.5 = D+

67.4 - 61.5 = D

61.4 - 59.5 = D-

59.4 - 0      = E

Grades will be rounded up only to the tenth place during this calculation.  Students will only earn a passing grade for a marking period if they achieve at or above 59.45%, which rounds to 59.5%.

TO CALCULATE FINAL SEMESTER GRADE

The final semester grade is based on a composite of two nine-weeks’ grades and the final examination/culminating assessment/project.  Each nine weeks is worth approximately 43%, and the semester exam/project or District Culminating Activity assessment is worth approximately 14%.