Instructor: David Sorbello, Ph.D.

Phone: (Sociology Office)

Office: 210 Bailey
Office hours: M/W (& by appointment)
E-Mail: Sorbello@geneseo.edu

SUNY Geneseo
Intro to Sociology
Socl 100
W 5:00pm

Course Overview: This course is a basic introduction to sociology and key sociological principles. Using personal
and every-day life experiences, we will discuss how we are all products--and producers--of society. We will use real
observations from projects outside of class as important components of understanding social forces. Students
completing this course will have a well-balanced and critical base from which to have a sociological understanding of
society. Students will also be prepared for further study in the discipline of sociology and in other social sciences.
Together we will try to understand the impact that variables such as gender, family, race, language, culture,
belief, economics, social class, education, and social institutions such as government and even media/technology have
upon peoples relationships and behaviors. Through this journey we will also develop an awareness of both the benefits
and the limits of sociology in helping to make better communities.

Course Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:
1) Demonstrate an understanding of how the sociological perspective differs from other perspectives (e.g.
psychological, biological).
2) Ability to describe and critique the basic orientations of the dominant sociological paradigms and
provide examples of theoretical and empirical work that draw from these paradigms.
3) Identify, define, and evaluate the fundamental models, components, and problems of sociological
research.
4) Utilize a basic knowledge of important sociological concepts such as labeling; the social construction of
gender, race, and ethnicity; blaming the victim; the division of labor; and the social reproduction of
inequality.
5) Demonstrate an ability to use sociological theories and concepts to analyze contemporary social issues.

Grading:
There will be a total of 100 points for this course. The point breakdown is as follows:
Quiz #1: 5 points
Quiz #2: 10 points
Midterm Exam: 30 points
Final Exam: 30 points
3 Video Reviews: (5pts each) 15 points total
Attendance: 10 points

A = 100-90 B = 89- 80 C = 79- 70 D=69-60 F= Below 60

Assignments:
2 Quizzes: The 2 quizzes will be a brief evaluation to see if you are doing the readings. They will be intermediate steps
between the midterm and final. It will cover material from the readings, from class lectures, and from discussions. The
first is worth 5 points and will be shorter than the second. The second is worth 10 points as it will be longer and later in
the course with higher expectations of retention.

Midterm Exam: We will have a midterm exam in class. The midterm exam will cover material from the readings, from
class lectures, and from discussions. More info to be provided in class & on Blackboard.

Final Exam: The final exam will cover the entire class but will focus on the last half of the class (the material after the
midterm). The readings, the lectures, projects, and discussions will all be potentially on the exam.

3 Video Reviews: These individual papers (3 separate) is designed for you to respond and react to any topics of your
choice from approximately 11 class lectures. Drawing solid connections to the readings and real life are essential for
this assignment. They are to be 2-4 pages long with examples from the primary source and additional connections.
Directions and outlines will be made available on Canvas. Assignments are due next class after video, no late papers
will be accepted.

Academic Integrity:
The SUNY Geneseo Academic Integrity Policy holds students accountable for the integrity of the work they
submit. Students should be familiar with the Policy and know that it is their responsibility to learn about instructor and
general academic expectations with regard to proper citation of sources in written work. The policy also governs the
integrity of work submitted in exams and assignments as well as the veracity of signatures on attendance sheets and
other verifications of participation in class activities. Serious sanctions can result from academic dishonesty of any sort.

Plagiarism is a serious offense which leads to failure of the plagiarized assignment and possible further
disciplinary action. One common form of plagiarism is any work that repeats or rephrases someone elses ideas or
arguments without acknowledging the source in a citation and/or in quotations. Another form of plagiarism is turning in
work written by someone other than the student whose name is on the paper, including work by another student in the
class. Both these forms of plagiarism will be punished appropriately. If you have questions or problems regarding your
papers, please come see the instructor during office hours. Keep a hard copy of all assignments and notes or outlines
toward writing until the final grade is posted.
For more information and the complete policy, see your handbook.

Students with Disabilities:

If you believe that you need accommodations for a disability, please contact the Office of Disability Services
(ODS) for an appointment to discuss your needs and the process for requesting accommodations. ODS is responsible
for coordinating disability-related accommodations and will issue students with documented disabilities an
accommodation Authorization Letter, as appropriate. Since accommodations may require early planning and
generally are not provided retroactively, please contact ODS as soon as possible.

***Note: Students with special learning needs should inform me at the beginning of the course so that reasonable
accommodations may be made. DO NOT WAIT!

ADDITIONAL READINGS POSTED ON LINE

You will also need access the internet to read, listen to or watch ON-LINE MEDIA assignments, including those posted
on Canvas. Follow the links on the syllabus, or make sure to copy websites from the board in class during discussion
PROFESSOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
CLASS: You can expect that I will be there for class, on time and prepared. If, for unseen circumstances, I cannot
come to class I will email the class through the on-line system as soon as possible. Because I commute, please wait the
traditional academic quarter or 10 minutes from the start of class time before you depart. Use the wait time to fill out
a sign in sheet please.

CONTACT: I have regular office hours. In person is the best way to communicate your interests with me. Make sure
that I have your current email account; check your email every weekday morning! There may be times when an
unexpected change in class could take place and the department may need to notify you. When emailing me, please
allow 24 hours for an answer or response to an email during the weekdays, and not expect responses over the weekend.
If you do not receive a response to an email that you send me, then regard that as if I have not received it.

GRADING: You can expect that while my standards are high, my grading is fair. I use specific scale to grade papers,
and explain those expectations in advance. I prepare students for exams, and do not include on the exams anything we
have not covered in class.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
Students are expected to attend all class lectures, video presentations, and discussion sections. Attendance will be
taken. A sign in sheet will be provided before class starts. There is only 1 person you can sign in for, YOURSELF!
Signing in for another student is NOT PERMITTED!
Each student is allowed two unexcused absences during the semester. More than two absences will lower your
attendance grade. Students with excessive absences are at risk of failing the course. An excused absence requires
official documentation of a serious illness or accident.
My general policy is not to accept late assignments, and I do not take assignments over email. This
syllabus has a course calendar with all assignments and due dates noted. Exceptions to these policies will be made only
on an emergency (i.e., individual) basis.
** Student athletes must present documentation in advance of athletic activities requiring that you miss a class.

READ AND PREPARE AHEAD: Nothing is more rewarding that coming to class prepared, and it is so easy to get
behind if you miss just one reading deadline. Students are expected to have read each assignment prior to the class date
listed in the syllabus. The expectation is to have a common knowledge base in class so we can effectively
communicate and explore the content.

TAKE NOTES: You will need a pen, pencil or crayon daily with your notebook, I do not provide materials, see the
book store. Good note taking is often the key to good performance and understanding Students must take notes in class.
You are required to take notes on all aspects of the course, whether lecture, discussion, film or other activities. If you
are not sure what areas should be highlighted, or what the main focus of your notes should be, then ask!

PARTICIPATE: Students are expected to participate in class discussions RESPECTFULLY by drawing on the
assigned readings, on their own personal or professional backgrounds, and by sharing other sources of information with
the class relevant to the topic.

GRADING: As I have said in class YOU EARN your grade I do not give it to you.
 GENERAL CLASS POLICIES

CONDUCT/ CIVILITY: I expect an atmosphere of mutual respect, regardless of the topics being discussed or the
differences of opinion that might exist. This is, after all, the point of higher education to develop critical thinking
skills and become more open to new ideas, even when we may not necessarily agree with them. SUNY Geneseo is
committed to civility in and out of the classroom. Everyone has the right to an environment that is conducive to
learning. With that commitment in mind, conduct in the classroom is governed by the Student Code of Conduct which
may be found in the Student Handbook and online. SUNY Geneseo chooses respect for all individuals and classroom
disruptions will not be tolerated.

USE OF COMPUTERS AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES: The use of computers (laptops, netbooks) is
prohibited during class. All electronic devices including cellphones, iphones, psps, ipods, mp3s etc., must be turned
off and stowed in your backpacks or bags throughout the class session. Do not walk into the classroom with an active
device. (If you are experiencing a family emergency and must be reachable, then notify me in advance of the situation
and I will give you permission to have your cell phone on vibrate mode.)
ABSOLUTLY no recordings (audio or video) or photos are allowed in class.

FINAL RULE, HAVE FUN: Interacting with peers, colleagues, and professors is the fun part of university learning.
Relax, speak your mind, open your mind, and do not be afraid to laugh (or cry).

NOTE: Since we meet 1 night a week reading volume is comparative to a weeks worth, please stay up on the content
for class time.

REQUIRED TEXTS:
1.) Author: Curry (Text/ Chapters)
2.) Sociological Classics (C)
COURSE OUTLINE AND READINGS:

READ FOR:
Intro to Sociology
January 18th
Introduction to the Course & to Sociology
Buy books & start reading Text Chapters 1 & 2

The Study of Sociology & Culture, Society and Social

READINGS:
1/25 Text: Preface & Chapter 1, What is Sociology?
Sociology the discipline
Text: Chapter 2 Culture /Chapt 1 if needed) [Symbols]
(V:Yonomomo)
(C ) Pgs 1-28
Culture (cont) / Socialization
READINGS:
2/2 Text: Body Ritual Among the Nacirema by Horace Miner
** (C ) Pgs 110-115
Text: Chapter 2 Culture
Text: Chapter 3, Socialization [Lines]
(C ) Pgs 28-48
 Socialization
READINGS:
2/8 Text: Chapter 3, Socialization [Lines]
(C ) Pgs 28-48
Start: Text: Chapter 4, Social structure and Interaction

Social structure and Interaction / Quiz # 1- 5 points

READINGS:
2/15 Text: Chapter 4, Social structure and Interaction
(C ) Pgs 48-65

2nd half of class time> QUIZ #1

(Chapters: 1-2-3-4)

Groups and Organizations

READINGS:
2/22 Text: Chapter 5, Groups and Organizations
(C ) Pgs 65-77

CANVAS Reading > McDonaldization by Ritzer (V:Morgan)

Prep & EXAM

3/1 MIDTERM EXAM (Chapters: 1-2-3-4-5)

Social Class / Global Stratification
READINGS:
3/8 Text: Chapter 7, Social Class
ON-LINE MEDIA:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/anthony-w-orlando/the-federal-government-di_b_3807254.html?
utm_hp_ref=politics
RESEARCH/Browse:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poverty_in_the_United_States
http://www.splcenter.org/

Text: Chapter 8, Global Stratification

3/15 SPRING BREAK

Race
READINGS:
3/22 Text: Chapter 9, Race and Ethnicity (V:K&P/ DC MJ B/W)
(C ) Pgs 88-110 (NPR Cultural musical ques)
 Sex, Gender and Sexuality
READINGS:
3/29 Text: Chapter 10, Sex/Gender
(V: Run like) (V:Trans/Caitlyn)
ON-LINE MEDIA:
Is Homosexuality Inherited? By Richard Horton
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/assault/genetics/nyreview.html
QUIZ #2 / 10 points
(Chapters 7-8-:9-10)

Family
READINGS:
4/5 Text: Chapter 11 Families (V: If these walls)

Education and Religion

READINGS:
4/12 Text: Chapter 12, Education (V: Disney)

Population / Conclusion
READINGS:
4/19 Text: Chapter 15, Population
(V:Lorax) (V:Al)

REVIEW

4/26 FINAL EXAM/ IN CLASS

(Chapters 7-8-9-10-11-12-15)