Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2023 - SA 150 D100

Introduction to Sociology (S) (4)

Class Number: 2577

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 4 – Apr 11, 2023: Mon, 8:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Rebecca Lennox
    Office Hours: Mondays, 1:00-2:00PM

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Explores how sociologists study, describe, and explain social life. Introduces the sociological perspective and applies it to fundamental social process and everyday issues. As we consider phenomena ranging from interactions among individuals to societal and global inequalities, students critically examine social issues to build their understanding of the world. Breadth-Social Sciences.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course gives you the opportunity to develop a sociological imagination—an ability to “grasp history and biography and the relations between the two within society” (Mills 1959:6). Developing a sociological imagination will enable you to make connections between personal experiences (for example, going on a date or taking on a new job) and broader social, economic, and political forces (for example, compulsory heterosexuality and rising student debt). Course lectures will provide you with additional tools for thinking sociologically. We will try on different ways of seeing—including functionalist, conflict,  feminist, and symbolic interactionist theories—to make sense of social categories (such as gender, race, and social class), social processes (such as socialization and social change), and social inequalities.

When you leave this course, you will be able to apply your sociological toolkit to answer questions such as: Does children’s play in elementary school playgrounds shape gendered adult work hierarchies? Why don’t more young people care for their aging parents? Have digital surveillance technologies changed social behaviour, and if so, how? What accounts for persistent racial wage disparities in Canada?

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  • Apply key theoretical perspectives in sociology to contemporary social processes, social problems, and social inequalities.
  • Recognize the social, political, and economic forces that shape life outcomes and organize social life.
  • Understand how social scientific knowledge is produced and garner a working understanding of key subfields in sociology, including gender and sexuality; crime, law, and deviance; social reproduction and social change; race and racialization; and global inequalities.
  • Develop strong written communication skills.

Grading

  • Exam #1 (covers material from week 1-5, inclusive) 30%
  • Short Essay 20%
  • Participation (in-lecture activities and weekly tutorials) 10%
  • Exam #2 (covers course material from week 8-13, inclusive) 40%

NOTES:

Grading: Where a final exam is scheduled and the student does not write the exam or withdraw from the course before the deadline date, an N grade will be assigned. Unless otherwise specified on the course syllabus, all graded assignments for this course must be completed for a final grade other than N to be assigned. An N is considered as an F for the purposes of scholastic standing.

Grading System: The Undergraduate Course Grading System is as follows:

A+ (95-100) | A (90-94) | A- (85-89) | B+ (80-84) | B (75-79) | B- (70-74) | C+ (65-69) | C (60-64) | C- (55-59) | D (50-54) | F (0-49) | N*
*N standing to indicate the student did not complete course requirements

Academic Honesty and Student Conduct Policies: The Department of Sociology & Anthropology follows SFU policy in relation to grading practices, grade appeals (Policy T20.01), and academic honesty and student conduct procedures (S10‐S10.05). Unless otherwise informed by your instructor in writing, in graded written assignments you must cite the sources you rely on and include a bibliography/list of references, following an instructor-approved citation style. It is the responsibility of students to inform themselves of the content of SFU policies available on the SFU website.

Centre for Accessible Learning: Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need classroom or exam accommodations are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (1250 Maggie Benston Centre) as soon as possible to ensure that they are eligible and that approved accommodations and services are implemented in a timely fashion.

The Sociology and Anthropology Student Union, SASU, is a governing body of students who are engaged with the department and want to build the SA community. Get involved!  Follow Facebook and Instagram pages or visit our website.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Quan-Haase, Anabel and Lorne Tepperman. 2021. Real Life Sociology: A Canadian Approach. Oxford University Press.


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html