SOC4044 Sociological Theory:
Fall 2004 Section 1 Syllabus
©2000-2004 Ronald Keith Bolender
Title
SOC4044 Sociological Theory
Credit
4 semester credit hours
2 classes per week--Tuesday and Thursday 1:50 pm through 4:00 pm in FA 103
Instructor
Dr. Ronald Keith Bolender, Professor
Office Location: RH 139k
Regular Office Hours: Monday (11:20 am through 3:20 pm), Wednesday (11:20 am through 3:20 pm), Due to various committee assignments and Adult and Graduate Studies (AGS) teaching assignments, always call ahead for an appointment.
E-mail: ronald_bolender@yahoo.com
Office Telephone: 740-392-6868 extension 3701
Course Description
A study of the major systems of thought about society. Special emphasis is given to historical context and philosophical background as they relate to the development of sociological theories. Prerequisite: at least nine hours in sociology including SOC113G. (Mount Vernon Nazarene University: A Descriptive Catalog with Explanations of Programs and Courses for 2001-2002. 2001. Mount Vernon, OH: Mount Vernon Nazarene University.)
Position of the Course in the College Curriculum
This upper-division course is required of the sociology major as well as the philosophy-humanities major who chooses sociology as the supporting field. It is an elective in other programs and may be considered an elective by any upper-division student with sufficient background preparation.
Objectives of the Course for the Student
Review classical sociological theory and examine modern sociological theory
Encourage critical examination of social theory
Analyze the development and intellectual heritage of social theory
Create practical applications of theory to social life
Examine and critique social theory from the perspective of evangelical religious beliefs
Institutional Goals Promoted by the Course
Continue to develop the ability to listen receptively, think critically, reason clearly, evaluate objectively, and communicate cogently and clearly.
Analyze, synthesize, and integrate various types of information and structures of knowledge, including the causal relationships of events and the logical relationship of ideas.
Choose a discriminative set of values and communicate them without being coercive or dogmatic.
Acquire the process of continual self-evaluation of personal values.
To grow with others in community.
Departmental Goals Promoted by the Course
Encourage open-minded empirical theory inquiry into individual and collective behavior.
Increase the student's comprehension of world-wide trends of social and cultural change, and enhance the student's ability to live effectively in a multi-cultural world.
Contribute to an understanding of human nature within a Christian perspective.
Prepare students for entry into graduate studies in sociology and other areas.
Texts/Required Reading
See "Outline and Schedule" section for reading requirements.
Method Used in Course
This course utilizes a course management system (CMS) called Blackboard. MVNU has adopted this CMS as the official on-line course delivery method via the Internet. Currently, SOC4044 Sociological Theory is taught as a Web-enhanced course--not as a pure on-line course. However, if a student so desires, the majority (not all) of this course can be experienced as an on-line course. The instructor will give in-class lectures and be available during class session time to meet with students for individual needs. This format is like a two-sided coin--it allows students greater flexibility in achieving the course objectives while at the same time it requires students to be more self-directed, more responsible. Realization of course objectives depends upon both the instructor and the student. The instructor's role is primarily facilitator. The student bears the responsibility of learning; grades reflect what the student has learned. Important Note: All times listed for Blackboard related deadlines are in Eastern Standard Time.
If there are any problems accessing Blackboard while posting to the Discussion Board, you MUST send the facilitating instructor an e-mail message--immediately. The e-mail will be a "timestamp" validation that you were attempting to work with Blackboard but were unable to complete the task due to problems with Blackboard. However, if you cannot send an e-mail, you must send a voice mail message to the facilitating instructor. The voice mail message will include a "timestamp" validation of the message. The importance of the "timestamp" is to help the facilitating instructor to determine the time you attempted to post to a Discussion Board topic. You must follow this process in order to receive an extension of time to post to the Discussion Board beyond the deadline posted in the Outline and Schedule section of this syllabus. Note: Excessive use of this process will be reviewed by the facilitating instructor.
Attendance
Due to the use of Blackboard in this course, attendance is optional--EXCEPT for three class sessions. Class Sessions 25 and 26 have required Socio-Autobiography in-class presentations. Class Session number 27 is the Final Exam. The FINAL EXAM must be taken in class per the scheduled time as outlined by the Associate Dean of Instruction.
Method of Evaluation
Class Session(s) Due |
Item |
Requirements |
Possible Points |
| 3-25 | Discussion Board Topics | There are 22 Discussion Board topics for the SOC4044 Sociological Theory course. The required contribution for each topic is worth up to 20 points. Since there are 22 Discussion Board topics involved, a student can miss up to 2 Discussion Board topic assignments without penalizing his/her grade. No excused absences will be be granted in completing the contribution to the Discussion Board topic within the timeframe outlined in the Outline and Schedule portion of this syllabus. This includes medical/family related absences and college sanctioned absences. As a bonus, contributions to the Discussion Board topics (made within the required timeframe) above the 20 minimum will be added to the total points. A student contributing to all 22 Discussion Board topics (within the required timeframe) could POSSIBLY accumulate 440 points, with the additional 60 points added to the total. NOTE: It is HIGHLY unlikely that a student would achieve 20 points for each of the 22 contributions to the Discussion Board topics. |
400 |
| 25 | Socio-Autobiography Project | Click here for format and grading requirements | 400 |
| 27 | Final Exam (Comprehensive) | The Final Exam is given only during the time slot pre-assigned by the Office for Academic Affairs. | 200 |
| Total Possible Points | 1,000 | ||
Final Grade Scale
| Point Range | Letter Grade | Percentage |
| 950-1,000 | A | 95-100 |
| 800-949 | B | 80-94 |
| 700-799 | C | 70-79 |
| 640-699 | D | 64-69 |
| Below 639 | F | 0-63 |
Outline and Schedule
| Class Session Number | Date | Time | Topic For Class Session ATTENTION!! The student is to complete this section PRIOR to the class session!! (The only exception is Class Session Number 1.) Click on these hyperlinks for instructions. |
| 1 | September 2, 2004 | 1:50 pm - 4:00 pm | Introduction of SOC444 Sociological Theory |
| 2 | September 7, 2004 | 1:50 pm - 4:00 pm | Introduction to Theory Development |
| 3 | September 9, 2004 | 1:50 pm - 4:00 pm | Pre-Sociological Influences (such as Plato)
The required contribution to the Discussion Board regarding "Why Did Sociology Emerge?" must be submitted by 11:55 PM TODAY! A late contribution will not be accepted and the grade for this portion of the Discussion Board will be zero. If you are going to be busy during this time with other activities (such as off-campus travel), work ahead. Click here if you are experiencing problems with Blackboard. |
| 4 | September 14, 2004 | 1:50 pm - 4:00 pm | Theorist: Auguste Comte The required contribution to the Discussion Board regarding Auguste Comte must be submitted by 11:55 PM TODAY! A late contribution will not be accepted and the grade for this portion of the Discussion Board will be zero. If you are going to be busy during this time with other activities (such as off-campus travel), work ahead. Click here if you are experiencing problems with Blackboard. |
| 5 | September 16, 2004 | 1:50 pm - 4:00 pm |
The required contribution to the Discussion Board regarding Harriet Martineau must be submitted by 11:55 PM TODAY! A late contribution will not be accepted and the grade for this portion of the Discussion Board will be zero. If you are going to be busy during this time with other activities (such as off-campus travel), work ahead. Click here if you are experiencing problems with Blackboard. |
| 6 | September 21, 2004 | 1:50 pm - 4:00 pm | Theorist: Karl Marx The required contribution to the Discussion Board regarding Karl Marx must be submitted by 11:55 PM TODAY! A late contribution will not be accepted and the grade for this portion of the Discussion Board will be zero. If you are going to be busy during this time with other activities (such as off-campus travel), work ahead. Click here if you are experiencing problems with Blackboard. |
| 7 | September 23, 2004 | 1:50 pm - 4:00 pm | Theorist: Herbert Spencer See Special Note in Discussion The required contribution to the Discussion Board regarding Herbert Spencer must be submitted by 11:55 PM TODAY! A late contribution will not be accepted and the grade for this portion of the Discussion Board will be zero. If you are going to be busy during this time with other activities (such as off-campus travel), work ahead. Click here if you are experiencing problems with Blackboard. |
| 8 | September 28, 2004 | 1:50 pm - 4:00 pm | Theorist: William Graham Sumner The required contribution to the Discussion Board regarding William Graham Sumner must be submitted by 11:55 PM TODAY! A late contribution will not be accepted and the grade for this portion of the Discussion Board will be zero. If you are going to be busy during this time with other activities (such as off-campus travel), work ahead. Click here if you are experiencing problems with Blackboard. |
| 9 | September 30, 2004 | 1:50 pm - 4:00 pm | Theorist: Vilfredo Pareto The required contribution to the Discussion Board regarding Vilfredo Pareto must be submitted by 11:55 PM TODAY! A late contribution will not be accepted and the grade for this portion of the Discussion Board will be zero. If you are going to be busy during this time with other activities (such as off-campus travel), work ahead. Click here if you are experiencing problems with Blackboard. |
| 10 | October 5, 2004 | 1:50 pm - 4:00 pm | Theorist: Ferdinand Toennies The required contribution to the Discussion Board regarding Ferdinand Toennies must be submitted by 11:55 PM TODAY! A late contribution will not be accepted and the grade for this portion of the Discussion Board will be zero. If you are going to be busy during this time with other activities (such as off-campus travel), work ahead. Click here if you are experiencing problems with Blackboard. |
| 11 | October 7, 2004 | 1:50 pm - 4:00 pm | Theorist: Thorstein Bunde Veblen The required contribution to the Discussion Board regarding Thorstein Veblen must be submitted by 11:55 PM TODAY! A late contribution will not be accepted and the grade for this portion of the Discussion Board will be zero. If you are going to be busy during this time with other activities (such as off-campus travel), work ahead. Click here if you are experiencing problems with Blackboard. |
| 12 | October 12, 2004 | 1:50 pm - 4:00 pm | Theorist: Emile Durkheim The required contribution to the Discussion Board regarding Emile Durkheim must be submitted by 11:55 PM TODAY! A late contribution will not be accepted and the grade for this portion of the Discussion Board will be zero. If you are going to be busy during this time with other activities (such as off-campus travel), work ahead. Click here if you are experiencing problems with Blackboard. |
| 13 | October 14, 2004 | 1:50 pm - 4:00 pm | Theorist: Georg Simmel The required contribution to the Discussion Board regarding Georg Simmel must be submitted by 11:55 PM TODAY! A late contribution will not be accepted and the grade for this portion of the Discussion Board will be zero. If you are going to be busy during this time with other activities (such as off-campus travel), work ahead. Click here if you are experiencing problems with Blackboard. |
Mid-Term Break |
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| 14 | October 19, 2004 | 1:50 pm - 4:00 pm | Theorist: Jane Addams The required contribution to the Discussion Board regarding Jane Addams must be submitted by 11:55 PM TODAY! A late contribution will not be accepted and the grade for this portion of the Discussion Board will be zero. If you are going to be busy during this time with other activities (such as off-campus travel), work ahead. Click here if you are experiencing problems with Blackboard. |
| 15 | October 21, 2004 | 1:50 pm - 4:00 pm | Theorist: William I. Thomas The required contribution to the Discussion Board regarding William I. Thomas must be submitted by 11:55 PM TODAY! A late contribution will not be accepted and the grade for this portion of the Discussion Board will be zero. If you are going to be busy during this time with other activities (such as off-campus travel), work ahead. Click here if you are experiencing problems with Blackboard. |
| 16 | October 26, 2004 | 1:50 pm - 4:00 pm | Theorist: George Herbert Mead The required contribution to the Discussion Board regarding George Herbert Mead must be submitted by 11:55 PM TODAY! A late contribution will not be accepted and the grade for this portion of the Discussion Board will be zero. If you are going to be busy during this time with other activities (such as off-campus travel), work ahead. Click here if you are experiencing problems with Blackboard. |
| 17 | October 28, 2004 | 1:50 pm - 4:00 pm | Theorist: Max Weber The required contribution to the Discussion Board regarding Max Weber must be submitted by 11:55 PM TODAY! A late contribution will not be accepted and the grade for this portion of the Discussion Board will be zero. If you are going to be busy during this time with other activities (such as off-campus travel), work ahead. Click here if you are experiencing problems with Blackboard. |
| 18 | November 2, 2004 | 1:50 pm - 4:00 pm | Theorist: Charles Horton Cooley The required contribution to the Discussion Board regarding Charles Horton Cooley must be submitted by 11:55 PM TODAY! A late contribution will not be accepted and the grade for this portion of the Discussion Board will be zero. If you are going to be busy during this time with other activities (such as off-campus travel), work ahead. Click here if you are experiencing problems with Blackboard. |
| 19 | November 4, 2004 | 1:50 pm - 4:00 pm | Theorist: Robert Ezra Park The required contribution to the Discussion Board regarding Robert Ezra Park must be submitted by 11:55 PM TODAY! A late contribution will not be accepted and the grade for this portion of the Discussion Board will be zero. If you are going to be busy during this time with other activities (such as off-campus travel), work ahead. Click here if you are experiencing problems with Blackboard. |
| 20 | November 9, 2004 | 1:50 pm - 4:00 pm | Theorist: W. E. B. DuBois The required contribution to the Discussion Board regarding W. E. B. DuBois must be submitted by 11:55 PM TODAY! A late contribution will not be accepted and the grade for this portion of the Discussion Board will be zero. If you are going to be busy during this time with other activities (such as off-campus travel), work ahead. Click here if you are experiencing problems with Blackboard. |
| 21 | November 11, 2004 | 1:50 pm - 4:00 pm | Theorist: Karl Mannheim The required contribution to the Discussion Board regarding Karl Mannheim must be submitted by 11:55 PM TODAY! A late contribution will not be accepted and the grade for this portion of the Discussion Board will be zero. If you are going to be busy during this time with other activities (such as off-campus travel), work ahead. Click here if you are experiencing problems with Blackboard. |
| 22 | November 16, 2004 | 1:50 pm - 4:00 pm | Theorist: Talcott Parsons The required contribution to the Discussion Board regarding Talcott Parsons must be submitted by 11:55 PM TODAY! A late contribution will not be accepted and the grade for this portion of the Discussion Board will be zero. If you are going to be busy during this time with other activities (such as off-campus travel), work ahead. Click here if you are experiencing problems with Blackboard. |
| 23 | November 18, 2004 | 1:50 pm - 4:00 pm | Theorist: Robert King Merton The required contribution to the Discussion Board regarding Robert King Merton must be submitted by 11:55 PM TODAY! A late contribution will not be accepted and the grade for this portion of the Discussion Board will be zero. If you are going to be busy during this time with other activities (such as off-campus travel), work ahead. Click here if you are experiencing problems with Blackboard. |
| 24 | November 23, 2004 | 1:50 pm - 4:00 pm | Theorist: Charles Wright Mills The required contribution to the Discussion Board regarding Charles Wright Mills must be submitted by 11:55 PM TODAY! A late contribution will not be accepted and the grade for this portion of the Discussion Board will be zero. If you are going to be busy during this time with other activities (such as off-campus travel), work ahead. Click here if you are experiencing problems with Blackboard. |
| November 25, 2004 | Thanksgiving |
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| 25 | November 30, 2004 | 1:50 pm - 4:00 pm | The Socio-Autobiography Project must be completed by today. No changes will be accepted AFTER 11:55 PM TODAY!
Presentation of Socio-Autobiography Project Click here if you are experiencing problems with Blackboard. |
| 26 | December 2, 2004 | 1:50 pm - 4:00 pm | Presentation of Socio-Autobiography Project Review for Final Exam |
| 27 | Tuesday December 7, 2004 |
1:00 pm - 2:50 pm | Final Exam (Comprehensive) |
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