PELLISSIPPI STATE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE 
MASTER SYLLABUS
GENERAL SOCIOLOGY
SOC 1010
 
Class Hours: 3.0   Credit Hours: 3.0  
Laboratory Hours: 0.0   Date Revised: Summer 01  
       
Catalog Course Description:    
  Concepts and theoretical approaches of sociology with emphasis on culture, socialization, and social organization.
Entry Level Standards:    
  Must be able to read and write at the college level.
Prerequisites:    
  None
Textbook(s) and Other Reference Materials Basic to the Course:  
  John J. Macionis, Society: The Basics. Fifth Edition.  Prentice Hall, 2000.
I. Week/Unit/Topic Basis:    
  Week  Topic
  1 Course overview
  2 Chapt. 1 Sociological perspective and the origins of sociology 
Chapt. 1 Sociological theory and methods
  3 Chapt. 2 Culture 
Initial current event topic and abstract due
  4 EXAM #1 Chapters 1 and 2 
Chapt. 3 Socialization
  5 Chapt. 4 Social Interaction
  6 Chapt. 6 Deviance
  7 EXAM #2 Chapters 3, 4, and 6 
Chapt. 7 Social Stratification
  8 Chapt. 8 Global Stratiification
  9 Chapt. 9 Sex and Gender 
Chapt. 10 Race and Ethnicity
  10 EXAM #3 Chapters 7, 8, 9, and 10 
Chapt. 11 Economics, Politics and Family
  11 Chapt. 12 Family and Religion 
Chapt. 13 Education
  12 Chapt. 13 Medicine 
EXAM #4 Chapters 11, 12, and 13
  13 Chapt. 14 Population and Urbanization 
Chapt. 15 Environment and Society
  14 Chapt. 16 Social Change: Modern and Postmodern Societies
  15 Class presentation of current events research paper.  Students must be present during all class presentations in order to receive full credit.
  16 FINAL EXAM #5 Chapters 14,15, and 16
II. Course Objectives*:    
  A. Learn the basic sociological perspectives: interactionism, functionalism, and conflict theory. I.5, IV
  B. Discuss deviance and its impact on society. I.5, IV
  C. Discuss the concepts of social stratification. I.5, IV
  D. Differentiate between sex and gender. I.5, IV
  E. Differentiate between race and ethnicity. I.5, IV
  F. Discuss modern and postmodern societies. I.5, IV
*Roman numerals after course objectives reference goals of the university parallel program.
III. Instructional Processes*:     
Students will:      
  1. Research and write a report on a specific sociological issue. Communication Outcome, Problem Solving and Decision Making Outcome, Cultural Diversity and Social Adaptation Outcome, Technological Literacy Outcome, Information Literacy Outcome
  2. Research the internet to find current information. Information Literacy Outcome, Technological Literacy Outcome
  3. Use oral presentation skills to present findings from research. Communication Outcome
  4. Participate as a volunteer with an agency to learn more about career opportunities and about various dimensions sociology. Transitional Strategies, Active Learning Strategies
  5. Practice elements of work ethic, such as punctuality, professionalism, dependability, cooperation, and   contribution. Personal Development Outcome
*Strategies and outcomes listed after instructional processes reference Pellissippi State’s goals for strengthening general education knowledge and skills, connecting coursework to experiences beyond the classroom, and encouraging students to take active and responsible roles in the educational process.
IV. Expectations for Student Performance*: 
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Understand the concept of the sociological imagination and the difference between personal troubles and social conditions. A
2. Be familiar with the basic sociological perspectives: interactionism, functionalism, and conflict theory. A
3. Explain how sociologists go about studying society--that is, by constructing hypothesis and seeking answers through empirical study. A
4. Define and apply the basic terms and concepts used in analyzing cultures. A
5. Understand the meaning and implications of socialization as the process of "creating social being." A
6. Understand that deviance is a feature of all societies. B
7. Understand the central concepts of social stratification: class, caste, ascribed and achieved status, open and closed societies, and social mobility. C
8. Be familiar with the concepts of race and ethnicity. E
9. Differentiate between sex and gender and apply this distinction to debates about gender inequality. D
*Letters after performance expectations reference the course objectives listed above.
V. Evaluation:
A. Testing Procedures: 80% of grade
There will be five 100 points, 50 item, multiple choice exams.  The exams will encompass assigned readings, lectures, video presentations, and class discussions.  The instructor will drop your lowest test score.  The remaining four test scores will be used to determine 80% of your final grade.  No make-up exams will be given.  An optional comprehensive final exam covering all reading materials and lectures from the semester will be given during final exam week.  The comprehensive exam will consist of 300 multiple choice questions.  The comprehensive exam grade may be used to replace one low or missing regular exam grade.  Remember the comprehensive exam is generally harder than regular exams because it covers all sixteen chapters.  The instructor should be notified a week in advance if interested in taking comprehensive exam.
B. Laboratory Expectations:
N/A
C. Field Work: 20% of grade
Individual research paper and class presentation will determine the remaining 20% of your final grade.  
Picking a Topic: Each student will be involved in some sociological research.  Pick a current event issue from print media,, television, or Internet.  Write and present an argument looking at both sides of the issue. 
1. The research paper MUST be typed and double-spaced. 
2. Cite all references you used in your text using a standard notation form.  Include ALL citations in your bibliography.  Provide all Wed sites for Internet sources.  The instructor will verify all works cited. 
3 Tell the whole story. 
4. Text of paper (NOT counting graphs, bibliographies, etc.) At least four pages. 
Oral Presentation: 
1.  Introduce yourself and the problem you researched. 
2. Tell about your methodology. 
3. Tell what you found. 
4. Keep it to ten (10) minutes.  If you need more time to present, let the instructor know in advance. 
Resources: You must include at least four sources.
D. Other Evaluation Methods:
N/A
E. Grading Scale:
 92-100       =    A 
  89-91        =    B+ 
  82-88        =    B 
  79-81        =    C+ 
  72-78        =    C 
  65-71        =    D 
  Below 65 =    F
VI. Policies:
A. Attendance Policy:
Pellissippi State Technical Community College expects students to attend all scheduled instructional activities.  As a minimum, students in all courses must be present for at least 75 percent of their scheduled class and laboratory meetings in order to receive credit for the course.
Students will be expected to come to class prepared to discuss the assigned reading material.  Attendance and participation are crucial to your success.  Students walking in 30 minutes late will be counted absent.  Should you come in less than 30 minutes late, be sure to let the instructor know at the end of the class period.  Below is a table presenting a summary of absences permitted before automatically failing the course,
B. Academic Dishonesty:
Cheating on exams and assignments will result in a grade of "F" in the course.  Cheating in this class means giving or receiving help on an exam, assignment, and plagiarizing papers.
C. Late Assignments:
One class day late = 75% of original credit.  
Two class days late = 50% of original credit.  
Three class days late = 25% of original credit. 
The instructor will NOT accept assignment after three class days.