Nmsu plagiarism policy

Introduction to Sociology -­‐-­‐ SOC 101g M70 Department of Sociology, New Mexico State University-­‐Las Cruces

FALL 2016 – On-­‐line minimester course October 11 – December 9, 2016

  Professor: Dr. Cynthia Fabrizio Pelak (a.k.a. Professor Pelak) Email: cpelak@nmsu.edu Graduate Teaching Assistant: Ms. Laura Iesue Email: liesue@nmsu.edu Course Description:

This is an on-­‐line, writing-­‐intensive Introductory Sociology course. Sociology is a knowledge-­‐ perspective that centers on the inseparable link between the individual and society, and a social science that examines the causes, contexts, and consequences of individual and group behavior. Through course readings, class discussions, films, and writing assignments, students will gain a working knowledge of the analytical and conceptual tools (concepts, theories, and research methodologies) that sociologists use to build knowledge about our communities, our global society and our-­‐selves. Students will develop their individual and collective sociological imaginations through weekly writing assignments. We will use case studies from our own lives and communities to study: (1) cultural beliefs and ideologies, particularly around class, gender and race; (2) social institutions and social structures in our ever-­‐increasingly global society, such as families, the media, the economy, sports, and education; and (3) social processes, such as social interactions, socialization, stratification, social mobility, and social change.

  This course fulfills the NMSU general education requirement for Area IV -­‐ Social and Behavioral Sciences and is useful for students planning to enter law, business, teaching, health care services, social services, politics, graduate school and civic life in general. This course teaches a sociological imagination and aims to inspire students to become more knowledgeable and responsible citizens for the 21st century. This course values social agents – individual and institutional social agents – who contribute to the creation of a more equitable and democratic society.

  Course Learning Objectives:

1. Students will demonstrate how cultural beliefs, assumptions, and values of individuals and groups in the United States are socially constructed through layers of interactions within social institutions and other social contexts.

2. Students will identify and explain how social structures (such as social institutions, organizations, and laws) influence social identities, human behaviors and social inequalities within the United States, a complex, diverse and multicultural global society.

3. Students will use their emerging sociological imaginations to critically analyze the social dynamics of their own individual social advantages and disadvantages as well as that of their families and communities.

4. Students will apply sociological knowledge and analytical tools to identify, describe, and critically evaluate current global social dilemmas and conflicts.

  2

Students with Disabilities or Differently-­‐abled Individuals: If you have or believe you have a disability, you may wish to self-­‐identify. Appropriate accommodations may then be provided for you. You can obtain accommodations for a disability by providing documentation to the Office of Student Accessibility Services (SAS) in Corbett Center, Room 208 (646-­‐ 6840). If you have general questions about the Student Accessibility Services visit http://www.nmsu.edu/~ssd/ or contact the director, Ms. Trudy Luken at 575-­‐646-­‐6840 (telephone) or sas@nmsu.edu (email).