Principles of Sociology – SOC1301

Spring 2021
Al Akhawayn University

Professor: McDaniel, Steve

Office: Building 6, Room 105
Phone: 2146
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours: by appointment or MWF 8:50–9, 9:50–11, 11:50-12,12:50 – 2

Text
Ferrante, J. 2008. Sociology: A Global Perspective. 9th edition. International Student
Edition. Thompson-Wadsworth.

If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.
Abraham Maslow
Introduction
Society is perhaps the greatest human invention. It more or less meets the survival,
emotional, intellectual and even the spiritual needs of most of its members. It has allowed
people, as biological organisms, to adapt to and live in every environmental region on Earth
and even in outer space. It provides the means for us individually and collectively to use
our greatest asset - our ability to learn, to create. Yet society requires something in return.
It requires some degree of subordination of the individual to the collective. We are not as
free to behave as many people think we are. Society as we know it would not be possible
without social control. And society enforces that subordination of the individual to the
collective through sanctions ranging from disapproving looks, to the death penalty. Yet
through all of the socially constructed and maintained constraints upon us we do have some
degree of autonomy and some real freedom.

Unfortunately, a great many people never fully see or understand either the
constraints they live under or the real freedom they have. They just keep swinging away at
the problems of the world with their hammer. One of the great contributions of Sociology
is that it can show us both the constraints and freedom and thereby enable us to lead more
full and productive lives. The main objective of this course is to show each of you how to
think sociologically - how to understand and use the sociological perspective. Or to put it
another way: to teach you to see the social structures and forces that constrain us, and then
to see the freedom you actually have.

In this course, we will sample a number of important ideas and sub-disciplines in

sociology, but by no means all of them. This syllabus tells you what topics we will
introduce and when in the semester we will explore them. Though it is an introductory
course, our secondary goal is to generate interest in Sociology. I hope that in this course
you pick up a few more tools to put in your belt and that through greater knowledge you
will be more prepared to have a happier and more useful life.
Other Quotes:
The dead governs the living.
-Auguste Comte

In the sky, there is no distinction of east and west; people create distinctions out of their
own minds and then believe them to be true.
-Buddha

Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from the
prejudices of their social environment. Most people are even incapable of forming such
opinions.
-Albert Einstein

All, too, will bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in
all cases to prevail, that will to be rightful must be reasonable; that the minority possess
their equal rights, which equal law must protect, and to violate would be oppression.
-Thomas Jefferson

As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of

democracy.
-Abraham Lincoln

America and Islam are not exclusive and need not be in competition. Instead, they
overlap, and share common principles of justice and progress, tolerance and the dignity
of all human beings.
-Barack Obama

It is not righteousness that you turn your faces toward East or West, but it is
righteousness to believe in God, the last day, the angels, the Book, the messengers
and to give your wealth out of love for Him to your kin, to the orphans, to the poor
who beg, and to the wayfarer, and to those who ask and to set slaves free;
-Koran 2;177

Course Objectives
1. Student will learn a global perspective in the light of transnational relationships
and local forces.
a. Student will learn to evaluate global events in the light of historical and
cultural dynamics. Student will be responsible for explaining global events
in terms of those dynamics.
b. Student will be able to evaluate and discuss his own personal development
in the light of local and global forces. Student will be required to discuss
personal and cultural dynamics in light of those forces and apply that
discussion to assigned articles.
2. Teach you to think sociologically and critically.
a. Student will learn to think sociologically with an objective look at historical
events, current global events, social inequality, gender ideas, race dynamics,
family issues, religious perspectives, and general population factors such as
education, health care and the environment… that have shaped and are
shaping learned behaviors.
 b. Student will be required to provide feedback from assigned articles and
class discussions regarding the topics noted above. Student will be required
to provide historical and personal examples that demonstrate critical
thinking.
c. Student will be required to write a summary of peer-reviewed article while
noting the importance of an academic literature review, the design of
scientific research, how to analyze statistics, how to critically respond to
research results, and how to use APA formatting.
d. Student will apply his sociological skills and critical thinking skills in
writing a creative research paper that is foundationally supported with peer
reviewed journal resources.
e. Student will be required to participate and report on 3 on-campus activities
where he can note and define the social forces involved in those activities.
3. Introduce you to some of the foundational ideas of sociology.
a. Student will learn the historical and academic features that shaped modern
sociological studies.
b. Student will be able to discuss the significance of Comte, Marx, Durkheim,
Weber, and DuBois.
c. Student will develop a social imagination and be able to apply sociological
theories to current events to explain the dynamics of those events.
d. Student will learn about the biological and psychological side of sociology.

Grades
Quizzes ( 3) (3 x 14%) 42%
FINAL Exam (Comprehensive) 18%
Participation 10%
Research Papers (5% Sum, 9% Res) 14%
Chapter Outlines (3 x 3%) 9%
Online Video Reviews (3 x 2%) 6%
Online Racism test 1%

Exam and Quizzes: Keeping up with the reading is very important. There will be
three quizzes; one before and after a midterm quiz, as well as a FINAL Exam.
While the quizzes are not cumulative the final exam will be. You may see quiz
questions on the final. The exam and quizzes use discussion type questions that
will require you to recall class discussions of articles and textbook materials.

Participation and assignments: Trying to answer questions that I ask, and asking
questions and speaking up when you see connections between course material and
your own experience are important in this class. Although we have a lot of
material to cover, I will do my best to give you opportunities to individualize your
learning. To that end, I will also be incorporating occasional, graded or un-graded
individual or group exercises into our class time. Every absence, excused or not
will lower your participation grade by 3%. Three late-to-class marks will equal
one absence.

You will have at least two (2) papers to write, and to turn in through Turn-It-
In.Com. 1)Your first paper will be a summary paper (5%) that requires no
research, but is simply to familiarize you with a peer-reviewed paper – the kind
 you will be using for your research. This will be a 1200-1300 word summary to
be turned in on turnitin.com
2)*Your second paper is an actual research paper (9%). No opinions and no
quotes. This paper should be at least 2000 - 2300 words and be based on your
research that uses at least 5 scientific, peer-reviewed sources. Use APA
formatting for citations and references.(See our text as the example). You will
need to select your research topic by 2/24 and provide the list of the 5 research
Journals that you will be basing your research on.

Chapter Reviews (3) – You will need to write three of these during the semester. We
are going to study roughly 14 chapters, But I want you to apply 3 chapters to your life.
Chapters 3, 6, and 9. Check the calendar for due dates. It is best to read a chapter while
thinking – “How does this apply to me?” “How does this affect my ability to think or
learn?” “How will this concept or idea impact my performance?” etc. You then need to
write 10 questions that apply to you and then fully answer your own question. Questions
and answers should be insightful and thorough. To be submitted through turnitin.com.

Online Racism Test: 1% of your overall grade. Go to Harvard Implicit Association test
and take their black-white racism test. Report your findings in a couple of sentences on
Turnitin.com.

Policies
Late Work: Late work will NOT be accepted – no excuses. Any assignment turned in
after the due date will not receive any credits. Where there are specific due dates for
assignments, I expect you to submit your work at the beginning of class or when I collect
the assignments. The only exceptions to this would be if you have a university-approved
absence that prevents you from submitting your work on time, or if you are participating
in athletic events or other group activities sponsored by the university.

Incomplete Grades: Incompletes will be given in extreme circumstances and only with
university approval. You must talk to me before the final exam to arrange an incomplete.

Attendance: The university’s attendance policy is clearly stated in the student handbook
(please refer to http://www.aui.ma/DSA/dsa-studenthandbook.pdf pp35-37). You are
expected to follow this policy in this class and will receive a “WF” after five unapproved
absences as per the policy. Your sttendance will be graded as your participation grade.
You will start off the semester with 100% - and then for each absence (excused or not
excused) I will deduct 3%. Thus if you were absent 3 times – your participation grade
would be 100 – (3 x 3) = 91%. The reason for this strict grading is that ‘if you are not
present – it is hard to participate’.

While attending class is not the same as participating in class, you cannot participate if
you are not there. Consequently and in conjunction with the university’s attendance
policy (see below) I will deduct 3% for every class that you miss.

If you are late to class – if you arrive before I take attendance and call your name, that is
ok. But when I call your name or look to see if you are there yet and you don’t answer or
aren’t there, then I will consider you late; 3 lates = one unexcused absence.
Grading: This course will use the usual grade scale: 90-100% = A, 80-89.9% = B, 70-
79.9% = C, 60-69.9% = D, >60% = F. Course grades may be curved at the teacher’s
discretion.

On papers, I grade on how well the student met the requirements of the assignment.
Please talk to me if you feel that your work did not receive the full credit it was due. If
you want I will re-grade your paper and the new grade will replace the old one in my
records. To be clear, the new grade can be lower than the old one.

Academic Integrity: Be forewarned, I hate cheating. So that you are clear on the
university’s policy, I have pasted it on here for you (downloaded from
http://www.aui.ma/DSA/dsa-studenthandbook.pdf August 18, 2007).

You will be required to submit any papers for this class through turnitin.com.

During exams or quizzes, talking to any other student or looking at their paper for any
reason is grounds for receiving a “0” on the test or quiz.

Cell phones: Cell phones are strictly prohibited during tests and quizzes.

Disabilities: Any student with a documented disability (e.g., physical, learning,

psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations
should contact me. I will do my best to provide such accommodations.

Sexual Harassment: University policy prohibits sexual harassment of all kinds.

Complaints about sexual harassment should be reported to AUI student counseling
services. (See the Al Akhawayn University Student Handbook, p 38 for more information
http://www.aui.ma/DSA/dsa-studenthandbook.pdf)

Inclusive Language: It is imperative in this class, as well as important in an

education/work setting, that inclusive language be used in both oral and written
communication. Inclusiveness refers to the use of language that assumes equality of the
sexes and the equal importance of members of all cultural groups.

Gender inclusiveness means that usage such as "he" and "man" as generic references to
humanity or people in general are not appropriate. While avoiding such use is sometimes
awkward if one's habits to the contrary are deeply ingrained, it is essential and possible to
do so. Therefore, I suggest that you use plurals (e.g. "workers…they," rather than
"worker…he"), some combination of pronouns (e.g., (s)he, s/he, he/she or alternative
words (e.g., "people" rather than "mankind").

Cultural inclusiveness means that classroom discussion (and written materials) will not
assume that class members or all members of organizations are from Moroccan culture.
Respect for the diversity of the class and the multicultural world in which organizations
operate will be expected.

Make-up Exams and Quizzes: There are no makeup exams. I will allow you to drop one
quiz for a university approved absence (see Attendance Policy in
http://www.aui.ma/DSA/dsa-studenthandbook.pdf ).Midterm and Final Exams cannot be
missed – doing so will result in a zero for that exam. See the calendar for dates.

APA style: To avoid plagiarism and adjust to how professionals share and verify each
other’s work, you must use APA (American Psychological Association) style for all
citations. (Please see the Center for Academic Development – Writing Program
http://www.aui.ma/VPAA/cads/writingcentre/apastyle/cad-wc-apa-styleguidelines.htm
for more information.)

Advice
If you have any difficulty at all that affects your learning in this class, please see me
immediately. I am here to help you maximize your learning. Anything that limits this is
something that I will help you with.

If you are new to college you may find that your study skills (e.g. text reading, note-
taking, listening, writing papers, taking tests, managing time) need improvement for you
to succeed. I can help you with this. Also the university’s counseling center has many
resources available to help you succeed as a student. Please see their website for more
information ( http://www.aui.ma/DSA/counseling/counseling-index.htm and
http://www.dr-bob.org/vpc/virtulets.html#Study-Skills ).

Keep all graded papers and email correspondence from me until after you receive your
course grade. Should any questions arise about your grade, these records may be your
only support.
Schedule of Events

Week - dates Topic Reading Assignments & Tests

1 – 2/1,3,5 Intro to course Ch.1 Action Game summary due
Social Imagination Sugar 3/1
Muslims USA
Pinker
2 – 2/8,10,12 Social research Ch 2
Brazil and TV

3 2 /15,17,19 Culture Ch 3 Chapter outline of chapter

3 with 10 Q&A due….2/21
HowCulture...
4 – 2/22,24,26 Socialization Ch 4 Quiz 1 – 2/ 26
Waxman
5 – 3/1,3,5 Social Interaction Ch 5 Chap 6 Q&A due 3/7
Teen Brain
JohnDean
6 – 3/8,10,12 Formal Organizations Ch 6 Summary due 3/14
TV Zombies Research Articles due 3/22
7 – 3/ 15,17,19 Deviance Ch 7 Quiz 2 - 3/ 19
KoreanCrash
8 - 3/ 22,24,26 Social Inequality Ch 8 Ch 9 Q&A due 4/4
Caging of US ONLINE racism due 4/4
3/29,31 – 4/2 SPRING BREAK
9 –4/5,7,9 Race and Ethnicity Ch 9
InterracialMar
10 – 4/12,14,16 Gender Ch 10
Sexual Orient
12 – 4/19,21,23 Economics/ Politics Ch 11 Quiz 3 - 4/23

13 – 4/26,28,30 Family Ch 12 Research Paper

due 4/26
14 – 5/3,5,7 Education Ch 13

15 – 5/10,12 Religion Ch 14
5/14 – Aid El Fitr BuddhaRising
16 – 5/ 17 Review for Final

TBA FINAL EXAM

Chap 1 - 15
*Note: this schedule is subject to change and changes will be announced in class. All
students are responsible for following announced changes.