1. define sociology and society and describe the evolution of and general areas of sociological concern.
2. understand how sociological research is done.
3. understand the meaning and use of the scientific method in sociology as applied to the various sociological methods, qualitative and quantitative.
4. recognize ethical problems in research.
5. recognize the relation between data, theory and policy.
6. explain different ways in which we can look at society:  e.g. the functionalist perspective, the conflict perspective, the symbolic interactionist perspective, and others.
7. understand the concepts of social structure, culture, norms, values, and beliefs as they relate to ethnocentrism and cultural relativism.
8. understand the process and implications of socialization and how it fires the nature/nurture controversy.
9. understand the nature of sex and gender roles, gender socialization, and the structuration of gender inequality. 
10. understand the process and implications of institutionalization and organizations and the internal and external social mechanisms such as the transmission of informal knowledge, which impact them.
11. understand the societal functions and dysfunctions of deviance, crime, and violence and how and why society attempts social control.
12. explain the concepts of stratification and rationalization.
13. describe the basic economic and prestige stratification of society in the world today.
14. describe the basic political/power stratification of society in the world today. 
15. differentiate among the social concepts of race and ethnicity, and individual and institutional discrimination. 
16. describe the basic racial and ethnic make-up of the U.S. population. 
17. understand the causes and contributing factors to racial and ethnic inequality and conflict. 
18. describe the evolution of current state of various political economic systems.
19. explain the social consequences and the changing nature of modern economic systems.
20. the value of their own power of effective, reading.
21. the value of their own power of effective, written communication.
22. the value of their own power of effective, oral communication.
23. the value of their power of effective, creative thinking.
24. the value of their own power of making ethical choices.

the value of diversity in American and world culture.

All students graduating from UVa - Wise must be able to demonstrate computer proficiency.  Please refer to p.79-80 of the 2004-2005 College Catalog.  If
you do not believe that you can meet this requirement, additional instruction will be provided, see your advisor.

Given that this course has all of its written work, notes, projects & so on, on the web, & given that all assignments, other than exams, are submitted in digital format, it is required that the student be able to operate effectively in the computer / web environment.  The student should be proficient in emailing, word processing, web searching, & spreadsheets. 

        The course is organized as a seminar, emphasizing the readings and discussion.  Students are expected to assist in creating a collegial, professional setting similar to one they will find in their career.  This may be done by completing all readings in advance and coming prepared to discuss and analyze the issues presented in the readings. 
        At times, formal discussion teams will be organized around specific issues as Projects. After discussion and analysis, the teams report back to the class.  Students may be asked to perform as professionals in the roles of decision maker, team leader, facilitator, editor and various resource specialists from a variety of disciplines.  When  an assignment is given by the Professor, the team is to solve the problem and present their solution to the class. 
         Exams will be objective in nature:  multiple choice, true false, fill in the blank, completions, short answer. 
         Students are expected to take time to stay informed on the news and current events of the day in order to enhance their ability to analyze the social problems examined in class. 
         See the other sections of this syllabus for further discussion of the other course requirements.

EXAMS:  There will be four chapter exams and the final exam.  Exams may include any of the following types of questions:  multiple choice, true false, fill in the blank, completion, and short answer type questions.  Save all reviews, projects, and other materials handed out in class since they are fair game for exams and the final.  Questions may be derived from any material presented in class.  Please include the Honor  Code, in full, on all assignments, exams, projects, EVERYTHING.

If you need course adaptations or academic adjustments because of a documented disability, if you have emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment to talk with me as soon as possible. My office location & hours are found at my Office Hours Link
 

	Office Hours:	Link
	The UVa - Wise Guide for Accommodating Students w/ Disabilities	Link