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| Edward H. Thompson, Jr.
Department of Sociology & Anthropology Holy Cross College E-mail: ethompson@holycross.edu |
Office:
211 Beaven
Office Hours: T 2:00-3:00 Th 3:30-5:00, and by prior appointment Phone: 508-793-3468 Fax: 508-793-3709 |
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| "The fascination of sociology
lies in the fact that its perspective makes us see in a new light the very
world in which we have lived all of our lives. This constitutes a transformation
of consciousness...It can be said that the first wisdom of sociology is
this -- things are not what they seem." Peter Berger, Invitation
to Sociology.
The course is prepared to introduce you to the sociological perspective and the art of thinking sociologically. It is appropriate for students considering sociology as a major as well as for students who have already declared a major in other fields.. I strongly believe that students
can best understand what sociology offers by routinely using the perspective
to interpret the world we live in. The course is designed for your
active participation, and thus it is not the stereotypical lecture course
where students are perceived as empty vessels to be filled with knowledge.
My primary objective is to introduce you to the social worlds you and others
inhabit. To rephrase this, I intend to help you discover the impact
of social structure on your own life and the lives of others. You
will confront the discipline of sociology--what it studies and how it does
research, discover sociology’s theoretical perspectives, what sociologists
study, and how we do research. The course introduces you to the perspectives
of micro sociology, which focus on social life up close (e.g., individuals
and their immediate social surroundings), and the perspectives of macro
sociology, which aim to make sense of social structures (such as social
class) and social institutions (such as patriarchy or the "iron cage" of
rationality). I emphasize how traditions and existing social structures
mold people's ideas, feelings, thoughts, and beliefs about modernity, gender
and race relations, and families. As a group, we examine patterns
of social inequality, whether along racial, age, sex or class lines, and
you discover the significance of what sociologists call "the social context."
REQUIRED TEXTS
ADDITIONAL READINGS Regularly, there are articles assigned which are available through Electronic Reserve. Each can be read online or printed. The authors and articles are designated on the syllabus. The requirements for this course include two exams (worth 35% each), a group presentation (worth 5%), and three mini-research exercises (collectively worth 25%). This might be a demanding course for some students in terms of the time needed to balance your own expectations and to satisfy the course requirements. The reading load is moderate-to-heavy. Thus, the requirements are: (1) attend classes prepared to participate, having read assigned material beforehandParticipation Class attendance is expected. To do well in the course, whether measured by the amount of learning you experience or the grade you earn on exams, requires that you keep up with the assigned readings, attend class prepared, and participate in discussions. This course typically makes or breaks itself in the way students participate. The readings I have selected facilitate discussion. But if the course is to be appreciated and remembered as a good learning experience, the workload rests on all of us. You are encouraged to ask questions, make comments, initiate and join in the ad hoc debates, bring newspaper items to the attention of the class, and, in effect, think out loud and critically about society. Discussions sometimes can "go anywhere" and to be prepared, you need have thought about about the meanings behind and beneath the assigned readings before coming to class. Research Exercises A set of mini-research exercises integrated into the course. You are expected to participate in three. Three are required – the norm violation project, the unzipping census tracks project, and the data analysis and testing hypothesies project. In addition, after you have been randomly assigned to one of the team projectss, you can then select the other exercise for extra credit. For the research exercises, you become engaged in “doing sociology.” You are expected to submit a brief (4-5 page) research report for the project of choice. Each report is intended to reveal your systematic analysis our social world. The norm violation project is worth 5% of the course grade. The unzipping census track project and the data analysis project are each worth 10% of the course grade. Team Project and Presentation Every person will be randomly assigned to one of two research teams. The team consists of about 15 members and uses one day of class to present both its “research” and the sociology behind the research. Team 1 continues a discussion about gender amd age identities. The team’s research involves a critical analysis of the images of men and women in the media, and the project should effectively show how society tacitly affects our perceptions of both age and gender. The team demonstrates one type of research – content analysis. If you elect this option for extra credit, this research paper is due no later than October 31. No extensions. The changing face of racism has serious societal consequences. Team 2’s project uses as variety of methods to examine symbolic racism -- e.g., racism in language, theories of ethnic inferiority, and stereotypes. If you elect this option for extra credit, this research paper is due no later than December 10. Research Paper A five-page research paper is associated with the three mini-research projects as well as with the extra credit option. The topic of the paper is partly defined by the issue addressed (e.g., social class, housing options, and educational opportunities; age & gender stereotyping, and racism and race & ethnic relations). Each paper involves some library research, not simply electronic surfing for second-hand information. Guidelines for the paper can be found here. Examinations There are two in-class exams.
The midterm exam is worth 30% of your course grade, and the final exam
is worth 30% of the course grade. Exams involve short answer and
essay questions. No examination will be given before or after the
scheduled date without written consent from the Dean.
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