Sociology Syllabus Mr.

Carroll, room 384

Email: Carrolls@worc.k12.ma.us

Website: www.claremonthistory.weebly.com

The question: Why do people do/think/believe that? This is the single most
important question that we learn to answer in Sociology. How do we learn to
answer that? By following the syllabus below!

You MUST have a binder, divided into 3 sections. One section will be for
HOMEWORK, one section will be for FORMAL ASSESSMENTS ( These are like tests of
exams, and will be 30% of your grade) and the last section: Outcome Based Goals
( these are the important questions or Main Ideas of the entire course. You
should also have a separate notebook for class notes, ideas and doodles. Your
binder will be your life in Sociology, your notebook will be your coach, advisor and
best friend, One section will be a 2 way journal for asking me questions, making
observations or comments and my responses or suggestions. You must have a
pencil and a pen. Every day. EVERY SINGLE DAY. Being unprepared for class is not
acceptable at this level of study.
You WILL be able to attempt college credit for this course with CLEP. More on that
later..

Week 1: Introduction and Sociological Perspective :

Read handout/ Chapter 1; be prepared to discuss the definitions of Sociology,
Social Structure, Sociological Perspective and Sociological imagination. Also, please
be able to discuss the relationship between the social sciences and how Sociology is
related to and different from each major field.
Homework: Lesson 1 review 1-7 Credit is earned by the amount of effort and
thought put into each response.
Formal Assessment: Read A Native American perspective and answer the DBQs.
Side-bar lesson: Using Maps ( A picture is worth 1000 words)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Week 2: The Founders (A boring yet important study of philosophers, researchers
and others who created Sociology). Be prepared to discuss the definitions on Page
22.
Homework: Lesson 2 review: All
Formal Assessment: read Field Research and answer Working with the Research:
1, 2, and 3 (For question 3, include WHY you placed each activity in the category
you did and be ready to defend your choice in class.

Outcome Based Goal: Contrast the views that Comte, Spencer, and Marx held
regarding society and the role of the sociologist.
Sidebar: Open to class or teacher
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Week 3: The Theories of Sociology (Why my way is better than yours!) Be prepared
to discuss the five key concepts of Sociology, The role of Theoretical Perspective
and all related terms and definitions.
Homework: Lesson 3 ALL questions
Formal Assessment: Case Study : What makes people change their behavior?
Modify the directions by finding THREE suitable subjects for this study. Think ahead,
after you ask the question, how will you continue the conversation? Make a list of
possible prompts for your subjects to keep them giving you information. Record
both your prompts and the responses. An audio recording AND notes are the best
way to proceed. If your subject makes a point, perhaps you can ask Why do you
think that is so? or What made you believe that?. Once interviews are completed,
see if there were examples that supported any of the perspectives you studied.
Write a detailed response.
Outcome Based Goal: Compare and contrast three major theoretical perspectives
of sociology.
REVIEW: Answer Chapter 1 Assessment questions 1-11 on Page 31.