LA K E H E A D U N I V E R S I T Y
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY
Introduction to Sociology
Sociology 1100SA
Brian McMillan 								Spring 2009
UC0038 						    Monday-Thursday 1:30-4:00pm
rmcmilla@lakeheadu.ca 							      RC1001

Course Description
Introductory Sociology offers the student a cross-sectional view of the overall study of sociology. Sociology is the systematic study of social behaviour in contemporary human societies. It seeks to describe and explain patterns of human behaviour, social processes and structure, the dynamics of social change, and the nature of people’s perceptions of their social environment. The fundamental premise upon which the study of sociology proceeds is that human behaviour is shaped by the nature of the social context within which it takes place. 
The course of study includes instruction in the application of sociology’s unique perspective, its major theoretical paradigms, and its basic research methodologies. The course undertakes an examination of important social processes including socialization, social interaction, social stratification, urbanization, globalization, population development, social change and others. The student is introduced to the social structural character of contemporary society with references to culture and ideology, inequality and the social class structure, as well as an examination of various issues relating to the institutions of family, economics, politics, medicine, education and criminal justice, as well as issues relating to race, ethnicity, gender and others. 
Required Readings
Brym, Robert and John Lie. 2009. Sociology: The Points of the Compass. Toronto, Ontario: Nelson.
Brym, Robert. 2009. Sociology as a Life or Death Issue. Toronto, Ontario: Nelson.
Grading Scheme
First Examination……….…..........................	25%
Second Examination……………..……........	25%
Third Examination.........................................	25%
Book Review.................................................	15%
Class Participation........................................	10%
Examinations
There are three formal examinations scheduled throughout the course of study. They may be comprised of multiple choice questions and short answer questions. The examinations will be based on classroom lectures, activities and the required readings. Each examination is worth a maximum of 25% of the final course grade. Please refer to the Course Schedule for examination dates.
Book Review 
Each student is required to prepare and submit a book review based on Robert Brym's Sociology as a Life or Death Issue (Toronto, Ontario: Nelson. 2009). The paper should offer 6-7 pages of discussion plus a title page and a reference page. It must be formatted according to the ASA writing guide. The assignment is worth 15% of the final course grade. Please see the Course Schedule for the assignment deadline. Late penalties apply. Do not plagiarize. 
A book review is not a book report. A book report is almost wholly descriptive and usually contains little more than an expanded table of contents. A book review, on the other hand, is a critical evaluation of the contents of a book based on the reviewer's familiarity with the principal concepts (i.e., basic course concepts) applied in the book.
Two distinct approaches to preparing this book review come to mind. The first approach would entail applying the book review criteria found below on a chapter-by-chapter basis. The second approach would entail applying the criteria to the entire book as a whole with specific references to individual chapters. The choice is yours. 
Book Review Criteria
What is the main theme or basic thesis of the book/chapter? Offer a fairly concise statement that reflects what the book/chapter is about.
Why do you think Brym wrote this book/chapter? To add to our knowledge of a subject? To sway public opinion? Affect social policy? To test an hypothesis? To answer a question? What makes you think so?
Is the author working from one of the major sociological perspectives? Which one? How can you tell?
What specific course concepts guide Brym's work? Identify three and detail how Brym incorporates one of these sociological concepts into his discussion. 
What are Brym's major points and arguments in the chapter/book?
Does Brym provide evidence of his viewpoint? Discuss this evidence? Are examples well-chosen? What are some of them? Does Brym argue logically? Cite examples.
How did Brym obtain the data or information in the book? What type(s) of research did Brym conduct? What sources does Brym use to develop the thesis of the book/chapter and why are they used? (hint: do not give a laundry-list of sources.... discuss such things as types of sources used and the reasons for turning to some kinds of sources rather than others).
How would you describe the style of the chapter/book: balanced? argumentative? descriptive? impassioned? scholarly? ironic? other? Explain.
How well is Brym's purpose accomplished? Here you have an opportunity to make an original, critical evaluation of the chapter/book. You will want to address the issues of what is well done and what is poorly done. What are some of its strengths and weaknesses?
What was your personal response to the book? What was its value to you as a sociology student? Give a summary statement describing your overall impressions of the book.
Class Participation
Students will be evaluated on the basis of their classroom attendance and their participation in classroom dicussions. Class participation is worth a maximum of 10% of the final course grade.
Course Schedule
May 4 & 5 ….……....................................... A Sociological Compass: Ch 1
May 6 & 7.………...........................................................…... Culture: Ch 2
May 11 & 12..…………...........................……...........….. Socialization: Ch 3
May 13 & 14….......................... From Social Interaction to Social Org: Ch 4
May 19 & 20 …………….……............................…. Deviance & Crime: Ch 5
Thurs. May 21...…..............................….......… First Exam (Ch.’s 1, 2, 3, 4)
May 25 & 26…............................. Social Strat: Cdn and Global Persp: Ch 6
May 27 & 28……………...............................….….….Race & Ethnicity: Ch 7
June 1 & 2……...…………….......................….. Sexuality and Gender: Ch 8
June 3 & 4…...…………………........................................…. Families: Ch 9
Mon. June 8....……….........…..................… Second Exam (Ch.’s 5, 6, 7, 8)
June 8 & 9…………....…..…......................…… Religion & Education: Ch 10 
June 10 & 11……………..… Tech, Environment & Social Movements: Ch 11 
June 15……………............. Tech, Environment & Social Movements: Ch 11
June 15....................................................................Book Review Deadline
Wed. June 17....………................................… Third Exam (Ch.’s 9, 10, 11)