INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY
Sociology 2301
Summer 2005
Overview
This course introduces the subject of Sociology to
students. It will include lecture, discussion, research project and lots
of online study helps.
Course Requirements
Students who plan to take this class should have a basic ability to read,
curiosity, and an interest in the world around them. Ability with the computer
and Internet will help with the additional resources.
Syllabus
Click here to get to the syllabus.
Text: SOCIOLOGY (9th or 10th Edition) by John
Macionis, Prentice Hall Publishers, 2003 or 2005.
The Prentice-Hallmaterial
will be an additional source of study material and interesting things for
students to explore throughout the semester. The author of the textbook
(and his assistants) has prepared A LOT of very interesting things to help
students understand the basic concepts. Click on the 10th edition, then
go to the appropriate chapter. Of particular importance is the Study Guide,
where you will find practice tests. You can grade yourself on your answers.
A great way to prepare for the weekly tests. There are also links to pertinent
web sites, and easy reference to some of the material included in the textbook.
WebCT.This
is another great additional source of material for students. The Study
Guide tests are available here (although you cannot send them to yourself
via email) under Course Content. Some of the other material available on
the publisher webpage or on the CD that came with your book is also available
here. In addition there are Instructor Notes on each chapter, found on
the Study Page. You will also find a sample research paper, and a list
of sociology terms for use in your research.
There is a calendar with pertinent dates posted. You can also post
your own dates once you are entered as a student. And there is a chat room,
where you and your research partners can meet to discuss your research
papers. You can share your files through Communications, Sharing Files.
You will first need to make sure you are listed as a class member to share
files. There is also a white board that can be used from various locations
simultaneously.
An Optional Assignment to help you become acquainted
Click here for the optional
assignment.
Survey Prototype and Human Subjects Form
Click here for the SurveyPrototype.
This is a sample of a survey, including the demographic questions you should
include. You will need to change the format to suityour survey. When doing
a survey there are several things to remember.
1. Always put a title on the survey.
2. Give a bit of explanation about who is doing the survey - includeyournames.
3. Always include demographic information.
4. Researchers found that the best format includes boxes for respondentsto
check.
5. Make the survey neat and easy to read.
6. Put the easy questions first, and the more controversial or difficultquestions
at the end.
7. The survey should be short, so that it takes no more than ten minutesto
complete.
8. Be sure to ask the all the questions you need to get the informationyou
want for your study. It will be difficult or impossible to go backto your
respondents if there is something you forgot to ask them.
Review Questions
Review
Questions. These review questions may be helpful in addressing the
material of the various chapters. For students who want extra credit, you
may answer them, and turn in your papers ON OR BEFORE the test on that
chapter.
Click here to go to the Terms
for Social Science Page. It is recommended that you review and use
these terms for the final project.
The Virtual Library has been set up for your convenience. Whenever you
do Sociological Research online, please go there first. You will find lots
of excellent sources of data, information about a variety of sociological
topics, links to sociologists and their work, and a whole host of other
interesting things.
The amount of information available on the Internet is unlimited. Unfortunately,
not all of it is appropriate for academic research. However, even there,
sources that used to be more difficult to access are now easily acessible
- if you know where to look. This page is intended as a help for students
in doing their literature search for their Sociology papers.
Please make use of the Sociology Work Station in Dan Waggoner Annex.
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