INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY

Sociology 10D
Fall 2000
Professor Suzanne Shanahan

Office Hours: M 2-3:30 or by appointment,  Room 277a  Soc/Psych Bldg.                                       

Phone: 660-5780  Email: shanahan@soc.duke.edu

Teaching Assistants: Liz Dietrich Ezell, Laurie Johnson, Kevin Primus, Suzanne Strulowitz

Overview:
What is the sociological imagination? How does seeing with a “sociological eye” differ from other ways of viewing society and social life? This course tries to provide a taste of sociological thinking and research. Lectures introduce several modes of sociological thinking in the context of selected themes: the construction of identity, systems of inequality, politics and political institutions and culture and cultural change. Discussion emphasizes basic sociological concepts and approaches through which the readings can be variously interpreted. Assignments do not test knowledge of facts but provide the opportunity to apply sociological ideas to everyday experiences.

~LOGISTICS~

Requirements:

Requirements include: regular attendance in lectures, reading, participation in discussion sections, 2 short papers (5 pages each), and a final exercise. This exercise will require you to write two brief essays. You may use any materials you desire to assist you in writing these essays. The essay topics will be drawn from a list of 10 to 12 questions will be circulated before Thanksgiving. Last spring’s questions are appended to give you some sense of what to expect.

Readings:

Reading assignments are listed on the section overview that follows. Readings are drawn from two books, Berger’s Invitation to Sociology and Ferguson’s Mapping the Social Landscape which you are expected to purchase at the Textbook Store. We will also be reading at least one New Yorker article each week and these are available by linking to the course website (www.duke.edu/soc/courses/soc10/10sylf00.htm). There is considerable reading expected for this course, so you are advised to keep on top of it. Not all readings will be directly discussed in lecture or section but you will be examined on your understanding of all readings.

Sections:

Sections are designed to give students the opportunity to apply concepts and ideas from lectures to the readings. For each section in which you provide a well informed contribution based upon your knowledge of readings and lectures you will receive 1.5 points. Attendance alone affords nothing. You must actively participate in the discussion and your participation must reflect the readings to receive credit. Exact reading assignments and discussion questions will be distributed in class over email on Monday evenings to facilitate your preparation for section.

There will be no section on either October 13 or November 24. If discussion becomes lethargic in certain sections, the TA may chose to give a pop quiz . Points will then be given on the basis of the quiz not verbal contributions.

You must actively participate in at least 8 sections to pass this course. No exceptions will be made.

Papers and Paper Workshops:

I will hold paper workshops from 5-7pm on 2 Mondays in Soc/Psych Bldg. Room 329: October 2 and November 6. Drafts will be reviewed from 2-5pm on these same Mondays. These sessions will provide an additional forum for discussion of the papers. Workshops are designed to assist “engaged” students only. Thus if you do not regularly attend lecture, do reading and participate in sections you are NOT welcome.  Snacks will be served. A final review session is scheduled for December 4.

Papers are due at the beginning of class. Late papers are marked down 1 letter grade per day and are not accepted at all after 4 days. That is, after 4 days they are graded as a zero. You are urged to hand in late papers personally to your TA. Do not leave papers in a mailbox unless it has been date/time stamped by the departmental receptionist.  Papers that are not date/time stamped will be considered received only when your TA picks it up. Under no  circumstances will faxed or emailed papers be accepted.

Grading Policy and Bonus Points:

Students who have both regular lecture attendance and perfect section attendance will be eligible for up to three bonus points added to their final grade.  Points will be awarded for students who make consistently outstanding contributions to discussion.

All borderline grades are adjudicated by section participation and general improvement over the semester.  Significant improvements will be rewarded accordingly in your final grade.

~SECTION OVERVIEW and REQUIRED READINGS ~

Sociology 10d

Final Exam~Spring 1999

Exam Questions: 

1. Explain one of the following social phenomena from a functional, a conflict and an institutional perspective:

2. Write and explain an advertisement for cosmetic plastic surgery from an institutional perspective. Describe how functional and conflict theorists might have a different view. 

3. Use examples from three of the following to explain and critique C. Wright Mill's belief in the explanatory power of, "the intersection of biography and history." (as quoted p. 11 in McAdam's Freedom Summer):   

4. Use the notion of "culture of poverty" to explain why some countries are "poor" and others "rich."  Is this a compelling explanation of cross-national inequality? Why or why not? 

5. Is it reasonable to describe the phenomenon of international warfare from any perpsective besides a conflict perspective? How might your answer differ if you considered the phenomenon of civil warfare? 

6. Explain the different accounts Gamson and Berger would provide for the rise to fame of either  Princess Diana or Monica Lewinsky. 

7. Design, explain and defend a residential education program whose primary goal is to maximize race, gender and class tensions at Duke?  Reference at least two readings in your discussion.

 8. Apply Berger's concept of "society as drama" to understand the cameron crazies and the "bonfire crisis" at Duke University. How would Berger's account differ from a social movement account (either social discontent or resource mobilization) of the events? 

9. Explain why poor people or those with no insurance should receive emergency room treatment from a functional, a conflict and an institutional perspective. 

10. How do race, class and sub-culture socialization impact individuals and society? How and why are these forms of socialization important?  Draw upon at least three different readings and one film to substantiate your arguments.

Some Logistics: 

1. Where no indication is given, you MUST REFERENCE AT LEAST THREE READINGS IN EACH ESSAY.
2. This exam is open book, open note. You may bring in any materials you chose to the exam as long as these materials are a product of your own efforts. In particular, if you chose to outline or draft any of these questions to assist you during the examination period, they must be your own. This condition aside, you are encouraged to discuss the questions with friends, family, or fellow students.