PRINCIPLES OF SOCIOLOGY
SOC1101C WINTER 2025
Course Information
Class Schedule: Monday 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM Thursday 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Location: Online Via Zoom
Official Course Description
Introduction to the principal fields, the concepts, and the essential methods of sociological analysis.
Sociology and the other social sciences. Critical thinking and techniques of intellectual work. The craft of the sociologist. This course is intended primarily for students who are not enrolled in a program in sociology.
Additional Course Description and Learning Outcomes
Welcome to Sociology 1101! This is a general survey course of Sociology as a discipline, but I like to think of it as a course on critical thinking about social life. Sociological investigations range from the analysis of small groups to large social systems. Sociology explores how we as individuals and societies are shaped by our collective social experience.
While it is useful to learn facts about society and human interaction (i.e., what happened, when, and who was involved), it is perhaps more important to consider these facts critically, to be careful in drawing conclusions, and to be aware of their complexity. What are the sources of our facts? Are the facts complete? Are the sources unbiased? The conclusions we reach regarding social situations are often the basis for actions that have far-reaching effects on ourselves and on others.
Sociology is the scientific study of humans in groups. It provides a systematic, critical approach to considering facts and their implications for social action. In this course, our main goals will be to (1) challenge our own views of social life, and (2) acquire some intellectual tools and analytic skills to help us attempt to reach a better understanding of the effects of society on individuals and individuals on society.
Teaching Methods
We are all unique individuals who learn differently, and we have designed this course with neurodiversity and divergent thinking in mind. To facilitate this, we will employ a flexible environment that fosters a culture of scholarship which allows us to explore some topics in greater detail and promotes student-centered learning through a flipped classroom environment, in-class workshops, guest speakers, demonstrations, and traditional lectures.
If you have concerns, comments or suggestions please feel free to bring them up in class as Iam sure other students or myself are thinking about the same issues. Please check your email and virtual campus on a regular basis for Brightspace announcements.
Assessment Strategy
1. Mid-Term Examinations (2 x 25 = 50%) There will be two Mid-Term examinations scheduled during the regular class period on February 6 and March 13. The exams will take place through Brightspace using the lockdown browser. They may consist of essays, long, short, fill-in-the-blank, multi-select and objective word-choice questions.
2. In-Class Learning Exercises (20%) In the past, these exercises have taken the form of in-class work, reaction papers to guest speakers, breakout rooms and discussion boards, media analyses, and mini-research assignments and real life- scenario simulations. This will be discussed in detail during lectures throughout the term and deadlines will be posted to Brightspace.
3. Final Examination (30%) The final examination will beheld during the official examination period and will be based on all material presented in class and assigned readings during the term
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Name
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Type
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Weight
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Expected Date
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Midterm Exam 1
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Brightspace Evaluation
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25%
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February 6
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|
Midterm Exam 2
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Brightspace Evaluation
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25%
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March 13
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|
Final Exam
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Brightspace Evaluation
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30%
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TBC
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|
Learning Exercises
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Brightspace Evaluation
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20%
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Announced During Lectures
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Exams will be done on Brightspace and will use the following proctoring tools: Respondus Lockdown Browser and the use of real-time proctoring with Zoom (Zoom Live Proctoring) maybe used. These tools block access to applications and internet browsing during the exam. It is important to note that there is no recording of students during the exam and there will be no use of the Respondus Monitor. You must agree to the terms and conditions for installing the Lockdown Browser. Your camera must always be on during the exam if Zoom Live Proctoring is in use.
Assessment Policies and Expectations
Course notes are the responsibility of each student, and you will be responsible for all assigned readings and material presented during the term, including this outline. Class attendance is strongly recommended at the University of Ottawa. Students are also expected to read the material; take notes; ask questions; and engage in class discussions of the topics and themes that form the basis of this course. This means taking part in a professional and informed debate or discussion with one’s classmates. Occasionally, and without warning, I will call upon students to discuss a point or contribute to a discussion, so please be prepared.
All students are required to have a university e-mailand internet account. Please contact the University Computing Center if you do not have one. Please ensure whatever e-mail address you choose to use is one that will work with your university account (if not this account, then your university account should be forwarded to your main account).
The dates for evaluations are indicated. If you are unable to turn in any of the assignments on the dates as scheduled, it is strongly recommended that you consider taking the course at a more convenient time.
Note: Students should expect a two-week turnaround for marked evaluations SUPPLEMENTAL AND GRADE-RAISING EXAMINATIONS ARE NOT AVAILABLE