SYG 2000 ---INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY

Section 02, Reference # 4266

Summer A 2004, University Park Campus, Florida International University

Dr. Abraham D. Lavender, Professor

Tuesday and Thursday – 2 to 4:45, May 10 to June 24, 2004

Classroom: Building OE (Owa Ehan), Room 134

(east of the lake behind the Green Library)

Professor’s Office: DM Building, Room 322B Phone: 305-348-2247

NOTE: Dr. Lavender also can be contacted at abelavender@aol.com.

Purpose of Course

The first part of the course will introduce students to the history and background of sociology, the major people involved in the founding of sociology, the methodologies used in sociological research, comparison of sociology to other disciplines , and some major sociological controversies in society. In the second part of the course, which will comprise most of the course, different areas studied by sociology will be examined in some detail. These include topics such as the following, with each topic being presented in class for about one class period each:

1. Stratification (class structure)

2. Racial, Ethnic, Gender, and Age distinctions in society

3. Deviance and Social Control

4. Religion

5. Education

6. Family and Intimate Relationships

7. Government and the Economy

8. Population and Health

9. Communities and the Environment

10. Social Movements and Social Change

Classes will consist largely of lectures by the professor with some student discussions expected on most topics. Students are expected to participate in class discussions enough to have intellectual and informed discussions (not one-sided uninformed opinions to others), but participation is not required from every student because of class size and differing personalities among students. A small amount of time will be devoted to video presentations. A major goal of the course will be to increase student awareness of the part that sociology can play in understanding and perhaps changing problems in society. Theories will be presented for some areas of sociology, but applied understanding also will be emphasized. It also is important for the student to attain a good knowledge of concepts, facts, definitions, etc. in each area in order to have a more informed position on issues. On controversial topics, various sides of different issues will be presented and discussed. This is a university class where one of the goals is to search for the “truth” and it is assumed by the professor that any topic can be discussed without any limitations applied by people who agree or disagree with one side on specific topics. The purpose of sociology should be to open one’s mind to the complexity of society, and to better understand that complexity.

Two Books are Required

(1) Sociology: A Brief Introduction, by Richard T. Schaefer. This “brief” book of about six hundred pages covers the topics listed above. For the student who wants to get an early start reading, the first four chapters to read are Chapters 1, 9, 10, and 11. Other chapters will be assigned as appropriate and will not follow the order in the book.

(2) This Land is Our Land: Immigrants and Power in Miami, by Alex Stepick, Guillermo Grenier, Max Castro, and Marvin Dunn. This book is “A richly textured nuanced account of how immigrants are remaking Miami–a city that, in one generation, has been transformed by the influx of Latin American and Caribbean newcomers...” (Nancy Foner). “A valuable account of ethnic relations in Miami by social scientists who live and work there” (Alejandro Portes). One of the co-authors, Dr. Guillermo Grenier, Professor of Sociology and Anthropology, will be a guest speaker early in the semester. Read all of this book during the first three weeks of class; it will be on the first test.

Grading

There will be two tests. The first test will be on Thursday, June 4, and will cover all of This Land is Our Land, all of the chapters assigned up to that point from Sociology: A Brief Introduction, and all class notes through June 1. The second test will be on the last day of class, June 24, and will cover all chapters in Sociology assigned since the first test. Each test will count one half of the final grade except for attendance. Each test will consist of 50 questions. The questions will mostly be multiple choice, with a few true and false, and a few very short answers.

Attendance

Attendance will be taken on a random basis, depending on the size of the class. Students are expected to attend class, and the professor reserves the right to lower the grade of any student who misses one-third or more of the times attendance is taken. Class discussions, student interactions, and the ambience of the class also are important to the learning process. This is not a correspondence school, and you are expected to attend. If you are one of those students who seldom attends class, then this class probably is not the class for you. Students who have a summer work schedule that precludes usual class attendance will be at a disadvantage.

Approach

I believe that a relaxed atmosphere is more conductive to learning, but that doesn’t mean “easy.” If you are willing to read a lot, take good notes, and attend class most of the time, you should be able to get a good grade.