OBJECTIVES: This course introduces the student to basic sociological research in the personal interaction and construction of meaning. Theories of major sociologists will be covered beginning with Weber and Simmel, and moving to Cooley, G.H. Mead, Blumer and W.I. Thomas, and ending with modern theorists such as Hoschschild, Emerson, Becker, Goffman and others. By the end of the semester, the student should be familiar with, and be able to use the major theories in this area of Sociology, such as social roles ad statuses, socialization, social control, social identity, inequality, exchange, symbolic interactionism, ethnomethodology, phenomenology, frame analysis and labeling. Students should also develop a basic understanding of the research methods involved and come to know where to look for future developments in this area.

FORMAT: The format of the course will consist of focused discussion, an individual research papers and tests. Each student is expected to come to each class fully prepared, having read all the relevant material assigned for that class period.

DISCUSSION: Students will contribute to the class discussion from both the readings and their own life. Students are cautioned against trying to “bluff” in class discussion because of lack of preparation. Those who are not prepared will not gain as much from the class discussion, and hence from the course. The discussion grade will be based on use of the assigned material, willingness to participate, as well as actual numbers of contributions made to the group discussion. Questions are encouraged. A free flow of ideas is essential to a college education. No student should hesitate to express him/herself for fear of being wrong. All ideas are valuable and all contributions are welcome.
 
Respect is an essential element of academic discussion and free interaction between students and between instructor and students is essential.  Disagreements can be settled by clarification of the issues and amicable discussion between parties. Agreeing to disagree is an acceptable academic resolution. Prejudice, resentment and other hostilities are not a part of academic behavior.

PAPERS: Writing and self-expression are essential to professional performances and learning these skills is part of the academic experience. Two ten-page papers will be completed during the semester. These papers will represent student work applying the theories to various situations in their lives. One paper will have an assigned topic. In this case, students MUST address the specific topic exactly as specified. No papers will be accepted on related topics. The final paper will be a term paper on the subject of the student’s own choice – with approval of the instructor. Once approved, paper topics may not be changed.

Paper grades will be based on 1) the quality of the argument, 2) the number of facts included and their appropriateness, 3) use of the theories, and 3) the inclusion of opposing points of view. Papers will be done in 10 point Times Roman font. No folders or title pages are required - especially not plastic folders. For more information on writing a good paper, please see the selection on the sociology web page.

TESTS: There will be two tests - a midterm (March 5) and a final (April 30). The format of the tests will be multiple choice, fill in the blank, short answer, or other format deemed appropriate to the content. Content will be all the appropriate assigned readings as well as material presented in class.

GRADES: 

Tests	45%
Two Papers	45%
Discussion	10%

A final grade of A signifies that the student has excelled in this course, going beyond the expected requirements. A final grade of B signifies that the student has mastered all the concepts, has a working knowledge of what it means to do sociological research as demonstrated in tests, the team project and class discussions. A final grade of C signifies that the student’s understanding of the subject matter is acceptable. A final grade of D signifies that the student is familiar with the subject matter, but may not understand or recall some important ideas. A final grade of F signifies that the student has not mastered the material of this course. Most students who have taken this class in the past received Bs or Cs as their final grade.

PROCEDURES: Class attendance is expected and absences will affect your final grade. Leaving the class early or coming late will also be noted and could affect your final grade. Keep in mind that there are only 7 sessions, hence each class period represents two weeks of regular classes. Missing more than one class makes passing the course questionable. A student who misses more than once without notifying the instructor will be dropped. If for some reason – legitimate or not – you miss a deadline, or are absent from class but intend to continue, please notify the instructor as soon as possible. Disastrous situations can sometimes be salvaged, albeit not without consequences.

Students absent for whatever reason are responsible for all material, including announcements, that they missed.

Anyone caught cheating on a test/assignment will receive a grade of zero for that assignment.

Anyone guilty of plagiarism will receive a zero on that assignment and risks expulsion from the University. Plagiarism is copying someone else’s writing and claiming that it is your own. This includes ANY AND ALL material from the Internet, papers of other students, material from the text or any other book.

No late papers or assignments will be accepted.

Students with questions or complaints about anything having to do with the course are encouraged to make an appointment with the instructor to discuss the situation. Misunderstanding and inadvertent human error – on the part of the student or the instructor – can cause unnecessary problems. The easiest solution is informal discussion. No concern is too small to be addressed. All problems will be solved with reference to Texas Wesleyan University guidelines.

Students are urged to use common sense when approaching the course procedures and grading. For instance, evaluation is based on expressed knowledge, including definitions and indications of meanings. Instructors cannot presume you know what you are talking about if you don’t explain yourself. Similarly, should it happen that you receive one low grade, that does not mean that you going to fail the course. Please refer to the syllabus for the weight that grade has in the over all grade. Especially if the course material is difficult, it is not unusual for a student to receive a low grade for new material early in the semester. That is an indication that the student has not mastered the content, not an evaluation of the student’s ability to perform or an indication of the course grade.

Every attempt is made to judge and grade all students fairly. Please note, however, that a portion of the final grade rests on the subjective judgment of the instructor. If you feel this assessment is in error, you may appeal to the instructor with evidence to support your reasoning. Further grade appeals must go through the procedure outlined in the University catalog.

Texas Wesleyan Policies
 Students should read the current Texas Wesleyan Catalog and Student Handbook to become familiar with University policies.  This includes but is not limited to grade appeal, sexual harassment, student access to records, and others; policies specified in the current catalog are applicable unless otherwise stated in this syllabus.
 Texas Wesleyan University adheres to a disability policy which is in keeping with relevant federal law.  The University will provide appropriate accommodation.  Students must notify instructors of any permanent or temporary disabilities and must provide documentation regarding those disabilities prior to the granting of an accommodation.  For assistance, students should consult with Dr. Michael Ellison, Psychology Department.
 Note:  Course syllabi are intended to provide students with basic information concerning the course.  The syllabus can be viewed as a ‘blueprint’ for the course; changes in the syllabus can be made and students will be informed of any substantive changes concerning examinations, the grading or attendance policies and changes in project assignments.”
******************************************

April 2  -    Structures of Social Life:
          “Preadolescent Cliques, Friendships…” by Adler and Adler
         “The Contrasting Agendas of Black …”  by Berkowitz and Padavic
         “Working and Resisting at Route Restaurant” by Greta Foff Paules
         “Competing Legalities on Sixth Avenue” by Mitchell Duneier
         The Construction of Social Structures: "Society in Action” by Herbert Blumer
         “Borderwork Among Girls and Boys” by Barrie Thorne
         “The Black Male in Public” by Elijah Anderson
         “Managing Emotions in an Animal Shelter” by Arnold Arluke
April 16  –     The Politics of Social Reality:
          “The Moral Career of the Mental Patient” by Erving Goffman
          “Self Change and Resistance in Prison” Kathryn Fox
          “The Evolution of Road Rage” by Joel Best and Frank Furedi
          “ The Historical Construction of the Holocaust” by Ronald Berger
          Postmodern Social Reality:“The Dissolution of Self” by Kenneth Gergen
          “The Self in a World of Going Concerns” by Gubrium and Holstein

April 30 – Final, Second paper due.