Paper #1
Sociology 132
For the first paper, I want you to consider the current US Presidential race and
examine the issue related to your assigned topic below that we have covered in
class so far from a sociological perspective. You will be asked to offer an analysis
of any particular facet of this topic related to the presidential race from the three
different paradigms (Structural Functional, Social Conflict and Symbolic
Interaction).
Select any news story or article of your choice about the election. Using the
assigned topic below, analyze this issue through all three different paradigms for
at least one of the 4 main party presidential or vice presidential candidates (Trump,
Pence, Biden, Harris) Explain how these paradigms would be used to describe this
election issue and the view of it through those paradigms that you select. Provide a
brief description of the issue and then proceed with your analysis. Feel free to be
creative with your approach if you are so inclined.
Papers typically are about four pages in length and will be graded as to how well
they address the issue and the topic and how properly they are examined through
the three paradigms. Use concepts and theories from the course to support your
analysis. You also will be evaluated on how well you support your statements with
concepts and theories from the course.
Papers should be submitted in Word through the BlackBoard site and are due by
5:00pm on Wednesday, October 21st. Late submissions will be deducted 20
points for each 24 hour period they are late. I will be grading the papers through
anonymous grading and will not have access to your name until after all papers
have been graded.
(Please note that this is the first time I will be using BlackBoard to collect and
grade papers, so please save a copy of your work in case I run in to any issues and
need you to resubmit it to me in another form)
Topics
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Socio-economic stratification
Race
Gender
Age
Criminal Justice
Student
Battaglia, Pietro
Group
2
Issues and Investigations in Sociology
Forces of Social Change
Sociology 132-HB 04 Fall Semester 2020
Instructor:
Gary Kelly 149E Morison
(781) 771-3467 (m)
gkelly@bentley.edu
Office Hours: By appointment
Class Meeting: Mondays and Wednesdays: 5:00-6:20 p.m. Jennison 215
Materials:
Social Problems Seventh Edition,
John Macionis/Pearson, Publishers. 2018
Additional readings, exercises, and other materials will be distributed
ZOOM PROTOCOL
Students must join classes through their Bentley Zoom account. Go to Bentley.Zoom.Us and
enter the course meeting number 130 227 732 (and password to be sent through BlackBoard email)
to join the session.
CAMERAS
Online students are expected to attend class with a functioning microphone and
camera. Cameras should be on to effectively engage in class and participate throughout the
course. If you have an impediment to keeping your camera on, please work with the instructor
individually to arrive at a mutually agreeable solution.
ACCESS TO COURSE MATERIALS
You are expected to be able to access all electronic course materials. It is your responsibility to
review the course syllabus as soon as possible to determine what resources or materials your
instructor expects you to use in the course. If you are a student in an international location that
may limit access to certain internet resources let your instructor know immediately so you can
find a solution.
SYNCHRONOUS ATTENDANCE
Students are expected to attend classes synchronously despite potential time zone
hurdles. Solely watching recorded classes is not deemed to be acceptable course participation or
completion. Course recordings are for the benefit of students who miss an occasional class or
would like to watch the recording for further edification of materials. Class recordings that are
posted to BB are for the sole purpose of this course. Disseminating any portion of this video in
any manner is strictly prohibited.
SYNCHRONOUS QUIZZES
Quizzes are expected to be taken synchronously unless other arrangements are made at least two
hours in advance of the quiz.
HYBRID COURSE
This course is scheduled for hybrid delivery. While I hope to teach this course in hybrid format
until Thanksgiving break (when all in-person instruction at Bentley will shift to online delivery),
conditions related to the COVID-19 pandemic may require me to move our class to an online
synchronous format sooner. Be assured that this will not affect the continuity of this course nor
will it impact the learning objectives we are working toward
Course Description
The purpose of “Issues and Investigations in Sociology” is to introduce the student to the
discipline of Sociology as both a body of knowledge and as a perspective to view the world. This
course will examine the basic concepts, theories and methods of sociological inquiry in the
context of societal change.
Evaluation
Participation (20%)
You are expected to attend all class meetings and to actively participate in all activities and
discussions. Class participation is to be considered meaningful questions or contributions to the
material being discussed. It is difficult to learn about sociology strictly through lectures.
Learning will require participation in class and participation requires attendance. Participation
will count for 20% of your final course grade. In order to enhance this involvement and your
learning, students will work in on-going groups for some in-class assignments. (More than three
(3) absences during the course of the semester may result in a failing grade.)
Weekly Quizzes (20%)
As noted on the course schedule, there will be a quiz for each chapter. The quizzes will be
multiple choice and true/false. They are not designed to be tricky; their purpose is to ensure that
you are completing all the necessary readings and that you are understanding the most important
points covered. There will be 10 quizzes. The average of these 10 quiz grades will count for
20% of your final course grade. (There will not be an opportunity to make-up a missed quiz
without advance notice.)
Two (2) Papers (20% each for a total of 40%)
The assignment, appropriate questions, and other necessary information will be distributed
approximately two weeks before the paper is due. Written papers typically will are around four
(4) to five (5) double-spaced pages. The first paper will concern a topic to be determined and
will be worth 20% of your final course grade. A second paper required, will be an analysis of a
sociological issue that you have encountered or can identify consistent with concepts and
theories discussed in the textbook or in class and will also be worth 20% of your final course
grade. Papers are due at 5:00pm on the dates assigned. Failure to turn in a paper on the assigned
date without prior approval will result in a deduction of 20 points per business day that the
assignment is late. Failure to turn in an assignment by the 5th day without prior approval will
result in a zero for this assignment.
Final Examination (20%)
The final examination will be cumulative and take home. The final examination will be worth
20% of your final course grade.
•
•
The professor reserves the right to change the above outline regarding class
assignments with notice.
The use of laptops, cellphones and other electronic devices without the prior approval
of the professor is prohibited in class
*Faculty Meeting
Each student is strongly encouraged to hold a 15 minute one on one Zoom meeting with the
professor by the end of September. The purpose of the meeting is to get briefly acquainted
outside of the classroom and to discuss any potential academic issues or concerns.
A Note About Text Chapters
A chapter includes narrative, charts, readings, cases, summary, activities, concluding comments,
and endnotes. All parts in all chapters should be read, in preparation for class discussions, group
participation, and quizzes.
Academic Honesty
Students are expected to comply with all the Bentley Academic Honesty policy. Violations of the
policy or general academic integrity will result in student(s) being subject to possible
disciplinary action for the course including: reduction in grade, failure for the course and
possible academic suspension or dismissal. The campus policies can be found here:
http://www.bentley.edu/centers/alliance/academic-integrity
BENTLEY CORE VALUES
This class will be conducted in full accordance with The Bentley Core Values. Please reread the
Values, which can be found at https://www.bentley.edu/about/mission-and-values.
DISABILITY SERVICES
Bentley University abides by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans
with Disabilities Act of 1990 which stipulate no student shall be denied the benefits of an
education solely by reason of a disability. If you have a hidden or visible disability which may
require classroom accommodations, please call (if you are a residential student or on online
student) Disability Services within the first 4 weeks of the semester to schedule an appointment.
Disability Services is located in the Office of Academic Services (JEN 336, 781.891.2004).
Disability Services is responsible for managing accommodations and services for all students
with disabilities
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
This class strives to cover a wide range of issues and different viewpoints and opinions and
embraces a diverse set of beliefs and values. I expect that all will be respectful of other opinions
and beliefs and engage in meaningful and positive dialog during the semester when differences
arise.
BIAS INCIDENT REPORTING
The Bias Incident Response Team (BIRT) provides students affected by bias or bias-related
incidents with access to appropriate resources. Where appropriate, BIRT assists the University in
its response to situations that may impact the overall campus climate related to diversity and
inclusion. Working closely with appropriate students, faculty, committees, organizations, and
staff, BIRT plays an educational role in fostering an inclusive campus community and supporting
targeted individuals when bias or bias-related incidents occur. More information about BIRT and
how to file a bias incident report can be found at: https://www.bentley.edu/offices/studentaffairs/birt
WRITING CENTER
The Writing Center offers one-on-one tutoring to students of all years and skill levels. Located
on the lower level of the Bentley library (room 023), the Writing Center provides a welcoming
and supportive environment in which students can work on writing from any class or discipline.
Writers are encouraged to visit at all stages of the writing process; they can come with a draft, an
outline, or just some initial thoughts and questions.
Staffed by highly skilled student tutors, the Writing Center is open six days a week. Most
conferences will be conducted online, but limited in-person hours will be held by appointment
only. Appointments can be made at bentley.mywconline.net. For specific hours and additional
information, please visit the Writing Center SharePoint site.
ESOL
The ESOL Center offers online appointments for helping undergraduate and graduate students
strengthen their writing and English language skills. Our ESOL faculty tutors specialize in
working with international and multilingual students to provide one-on-one support for all
courses writing at any stage in the writing process. Along with individualized help for writing,
the ESOL tutors provide guidance and feedback for documenting sources, oral presentation
practice, and pronunciation/fluency enrichment.
The ESOL Center offers real-time video appointments Monday through Friday between 7:30
a.m. and 10:00 p.m. These can be reserved through our website:
https://bentleyesol.mywconline.net. The complete information about booking appointments and
uploading papers is clarified on the website’s announcement page.
Syllabus and Schedule is subject to change with notice
Course Schedule
Fall 2020
Mon. Aug. 31
Wed. Sep. 2
Chapter 1
Course Intro and Overview
Studying Social Problems
Mon. Sep. 7
Wed. Sep. 9
No Class
Chapter 1
Labor Day
Difference
Mon. Sep. 14
Wed. Sep. 16
Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Economic Inequality
Economic Inequality
Quiz #1
(1,2)
Mon. Sep. 21
Wed. Sep. 23
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Economic Inequality
Racial and Ethnic Inequality
Quiz #2
(3)
Mon. Sep. 28
Wed. Sep. 30
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Racial and Ethnic Inequality
Gender Inequality
Quiz #3
(4)
Mon. Oct. 5
Wed. Oct. 7
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Gender Inequality
Aging and Inequality
Quiz #4
(5,6)
Mon. Oct. 12
Wed. Oct. 14
Chapter 7
Chapter 6
Sexuality
Crime, Violence & Criminal Justice
Quiz# 5
(7,8)
Mon. Oct. 19
Wed. Oct. 21
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Sexual Orientation
Alcohol and Other Drugs
Mon. Oct. 26
Wed. Oct. 28
Chapter 9
Chapter 11
Physical and Mental Health
Work and the Workplace
Quiz #6
(9,10)
Mon. Nov. 2
Wed. Nov. 4
Chapter 10
Chapter 12
Economy and Politics
Family Life
Quiz #7
(11,12)
Mon. Nov. 9
Wed. Nov. 11
Chapter 13
Chapter 13
Education
Education
Quiz #8
(13,14)
Mon. Nov. 16
Wed. Nov. 18
Chapter 14
Religion and Society
Urban Life
Mon. Nov. 23
Wed. Nov. 25
No Class
Thanksgiving Break (No Class)
Mon. Nov. 30
Wed. Dec. 2
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Population and Global Inequality
Technology & The Environment
Quiz #9
(15, 16)
Mon. Dec. 7
Wed. Dec. 9
Chapter 17
War and Terrorism
Social Change/Course Wrap-up
Quiz10
(17)
Mon. Dec. 14
Wed. Dec. 16
Final Take Home Exam Prompt
FINAL TAKE HOME EXAM DUE by 5pm
*Paper #1 Due
*Paper #2 Due
Extra Essay Info And Resources
Clarification from Professor:
•
I just wanted to clarify that the paper does not have to be about one of the candidates
only, it could be about the candidates and/or a particular election or campaign issue. In
other words, if your topic was gender, you would not have to only talk about the gender
of the candidates, but the role of gender in our country and how it plays in to the
elections. Same thing with socio-economic stratification, age, etc.
Course Description from School Site:
SO 132 Issues and Investigations in Sociology
This course introduces the student to the discipline of sociology as both a body of
knowledge and as a perspective from which to view the world. This course
examines the basic concepts, theories and methods of sociology inquiry in the
context of a substantive area. The goal is to develop in students an appreciation of
the social forces that shape, organize and constitute human behavior.
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