Sociology Syllabus

GJHS Course Syllabus

Course Name: Sociology

Instructor: Thomas Staib

Email:tstaib@gjsd.net

Phone: (814) 533-5601 ext.55102

Course Overview:

This course is an introduction to sociology as a way of understanding the world. Sociology is a field study that explains social, political, and economic phenomena in terms of social structures, social forces, and group relations. That is Sociology is the study of how society interacts with one another, the study of human relationships.

Students will focus on several important sociological topics, including Culture and Social Culture, the individual in society, social inequality, social institutions and the changing social world. This course provides students with an understanding of the three main sociological perspectives, and understanding of several important sociological theories, and the ability to apply these perspectives and theories to contemporary social problems. Students will gain insight into the critical link between social structures, social forces and individual circumstances. Most of all, students will spend a lot of time studying how individuals shape society and how society shapes the lives of individuals. It is an excellent preparatory class for students considering college as it covers a wide range of topics that leads to many other courses of study.

Sociology is the social science that studies human society and social behavior. Basically what that means is the study of how people relate to one another and influence each others behavior. On some level most of us “do” sociology without ever knowing it. This class will help examine our lives and social experience as well as many issues involving society today. Furthermore, students should come to realize how many aspects of their lives are influenced by the social world in which they live and, as a result, you should obtain a better understanding of yourself as social individuals and your place in society.

Unit 1 The Sociological Perspective

1. Understanding Sociology

2. Sociology Research

Unit 2 Organizing Social life

3. Culture

4. Socialization

5. Social Interaction and Social Structure

6. Groups and Organizations

7. The Mass Media

8. Deviance, Crime, and Social Control

Unit 3 Social Inequality

9. Stratification and Social Mobility in the United States

10. Global Inequality

11. Racial and Ethnic Inequality

12. Stratification by Gender

13. Stratification by age

Unit 4 Social Institutions

14. The Family and Intimate Relationships

15. Religion

16. Education

17. Government and Politics

18. The Economy and Work

19. Health and the Environment

Unit 5 Changing Society

20. Population, Communities, and Urbanization

21. Collective Behavior and Social Movements

22. Social Change in the Global Community

Grading set up:

30% Exams

30% Quizzes

30% In-class assignments

10% other

This is roughly broken down, I will also include participation and other projects assigned at different times during the school year.

Discipline:

5 Basic Rules to follow

1. Be Respectful-Respect the teachers, other students, yourself, etc.

2. Be there-Attend school daily

3. Be on time-Bring all materials to class

4. Be prepared-Bring all materials to class

5. Follow all classroom procedures and policies laid out in the GJSD Code of Conduct.

***Remember this class is an elective; you chose to be in this class, if you don’t want to be in here reschedule another elective. Also, If you are not a Junior or Senior you need to reschedule!!!!

Keys to success:

Notebooks- write things down- you will be able to use your notes on quizzes!!!!!!!!!

Text books- will stay in the classroom but we will be reading. That sounds like a new concept reading in school?????

Effort:

Be in class, pay attention, stay focused, and use the time to your advantage. We are studying social behaviors in society, we are all social beings, and this should not be difficult in class. We will be studying many topics that you are already involved in.: let’s keep this class interesting. You can do this!

Parents:

Every study done on successful students indicates that the level of parental involvement is the number one contributing factor of success or failure of children. I therefore invite every parent to get involved in this class. Ask about school, and feel free to call me and check up on your student’s performance at any time during the semester.

I am available after 2:35 Monday- Friday at 533-5601 X 55102

If these times are no good, simply leave me a message at the # and specify a time that would suit you better and I will get back to you. Your student can succeed. But with your help and cooperation with me and the rest of GJHS, THEY CAN’Y FAIL.

Sincerely,

Mr. Staib