Instructor: Jason Ben-Meir
Office Hours: 3:00-4:00 Wednesday
Office: Room 1059, Social Science Bldg. and by appointment
Phone: 277-0471
Email: soc101@unm.edu

TA: Thomas Maestas
Office Hours: By appointment
Office: Room 1063, Social Science Bldg.
Email: thmm76@hotmail.com
Phone: 277-8992

Course Objective:
This course is an introduction to the basic concepts, theoretical perspectives, and social themes in contemporary sociology. We will be looking at sociological insights into the structure of human society. The primary goal of this course is to introduce the students to the realities of human society such as socialization, group behavior, crime and deviance, evolution of social structures, political organization, stratification, community mobilization, and methods for reconciliation. The emphasis will be on learning to think about, identify, and consciously affect the structure of our social surrounding.

Course Outline:
There are three major emphases in this course. First, we will develop a strong understanding of social theories. This is necessary because each theory we study offers a perspective of the nature of society and a framework with which we can better understand the causes of social problems and evaluate the effectiveness of potential remedies. Second, we will delve into how society is constructed and trace social problems that exist to the structural nature of society. Finally, we will consider methods that are applied today that are used to affect the societal structure and reconcile conflicts--be they racial, ethnic, socio-economic, class, or gender. Our textbook presents social issues as a product of multiple forces at play (often conflicting forces), and therefore offers an effective foundation from which we can embark on this study.

Required Text:
D. Stanley Eitzen and Maxine Baca Zinn, In Conflict and Order: Understanding Society, Ninth Edition, 2001. There are three copies of the textbook on reserve at Zimmerman. There are also "quote readings" assigned, which are available on our class website.

Teaching Philosophy:
A true educational experience requires dialogue among teachers and students. Dialogue 1) draws out a wide variety perspectives and allows for a more full understanding of the subject and 2) can sensitize class members to the experiences and outlooks of others. So, friends, let's strive to actualize this quality of dialogue in our classroom and in so doing maximize our educational experience.

Course Requirements and Grades:
1)  Three Exams (Each exam is 1/3 of the total grade): Exams will be multiple choice. The class prior to each exam will be review and a review sheet will be provided. There must be a compelling reason for make-up exams to be given. Exams are scheduled on February 15, March 27, and May 8 (the final).

2)  Two Extra Credit Options (Each adds 10% to your final grade--both can be done to add 20%):
A. Course Journal: The purpose of your journal is to express your thoughts and reactions to the ideas that you read about and that we discussed in class. Journals should be an honest expression of how you view the sociological issues. They can include articles you come across related to the subject, drawings, and can also be written in a creative style. They will be evaluated using the following standard: a) the frequency and length of entries, b) the effort and sincerity with which the topics are addressed, and c) the display of understanding of the issues at hand. Journals can be hand-written and at least 2-3 pages should be written per week. Journals are due March 8 and May 4 (the last day of class).

B. Community Service: Extra credit will also be added to your final grade by devoting twenty hours across the semester to community service and writing a brief paper (3-4 pages) about your experience. Our class website has a list of non-profits that have requested volunteers. You are free to volunteer at places not listed on the website. Just let us know where it is and the kind of community service they provide. Papers describing your volunteer experience are due May 4.

Student Services:
Any student who, because of disability, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact the instructor as soon as possible to make necessary accommodations. It is the responsibility of the student to request accommodations for individual learning needs. UNM will make every attempt to accommodate all qualified students with disabilities. For further information, contact Student Support Services at 277-3506.

Dates and Reading List:
Week 1 (January 16-18):
Defining Sociology and the Utility of Social Theory
Chapter 1

Week 2 (January 23-25):
Culture
Chapter 4

Week 3 (Jan. 28-Feb. 1):
Social Theories and Research Methods
Quote readings on Comte, Durkheim, and Marx

Week 4 (February 4-8):
The Structure of Social Groups and Alienation
Chapters 2 and 3
Film:  The Color Museum

Week 5 (February 11-15):
Socialization
Chapter 5

FIRST EXAM: FEBRUARY 15

Week 6 (February 18-22):
Simulation: A Participatory Community Development Method Applied to Our Class
Quote readings on participatory development
Film:  Back from the Brink

Week 7 (Feb. 25-March 1):
Conclusion and Debrief on the Participatory Development Experience and Relating the Experience to Social Theories
Chapter 18 (Human Agency)

Week 8 (March 4-8):
Social Control
Chapter 6
Film: ABC News segment, "Big Brother"

"Deviance"
Chapter 7
Guest Speaker Richard Winterbottom, a Criminal Defense Lawyer, will speak about inequalities in the criminal justice system.

Week 9 (March 11-15):
Spring Break

Week 10 (March 18-22):
The Structural Forces of Societal Change
Chapter 8

Social Stratification and Class
Chapters 9 and 10

Week 11 (March 25-29):
Racial Inequality
Chapter 11
Quote readings on race and ethnicity

SECOND EXAM: MARCH 27

Week 12 (April 1-5):
Racial and Ethnic Reconciliation
Film:  The Color of Fear

Week 13 (April 8-12):
Gender Inequality and Mating Strategies According to Evolution
Chapter 12
Quote readings on gender and development
Guest Speaker: Linda Piper, UNM's College of Education
Film: A talk by Gloria Steinem on C-Span

Week 14 (April 15-19):
Religion
Chapter 17
Guest Speakers: A Priest, a Rabbi, a Sheikh, and a Yogi

Week 15 (April 22-26):
The Economy and Politics
Chapters 13 and 14

Week 16 (April 29-May 4):
Family and Education
Chapters 15 and 16
Quote readings on effective education

FINAL EXAM: MAY 8 (7:30-9:30 AM)