Robert Crosnoe

Description

This course offers an introduction to the theories, methodologies, vocabulary, and themes of the discipline of sociology.  During the semester, we will explore the linkage between individuals and the larger cultures, contexts, and groups in which they live their lives in order to better understand the structure and function of social interaction, human behavior, and the institutional framework of society.  The over-arching purpose of the course is to instill in you the “sociological imagination”, which can then be used to decipher current social issues and patterns of everyday life.  The format of this course is designed to offer students the benefits of both a large lecture class and a small discussion seminar.  On Mondays and Wednesdays, the class will be led by Dr. Crosnoe in a traditional lecture format.  For the third hour, the class will be broken up into smaller units for discussion sections on either Thursday or Friday.  This section, led by one of the teaching assistant, will offer a forum for students to discuss class materials from earlier in the week, explore some new and old topics in greater depth, and engage in exercises intended to provide real world applications of sociological concepts.

Required Texts

Giddens, Anthony, Mitchell Duneier, Richard Appelbaum, and Deborah Carr. 2011. Introduction to Sociology, Eighth Edition. New York: W.W. Norton and Company.

Reader:

Massey, Garth (Ed.). 2011. Readings for Sociology, Seventh Edition. New York: W.W. Norton and Company.

Grading Policy

Each student is expected to attend all three weekly class meetings, including the Friday discussion section.  Students should complete all readings prior to the class period for which they are assigned and also be ready to contribute to class discussion.

There will be THREE examinations during the semester (75% of final grade).  The exams will draw from both readings and class lectures.  Make-up examinations will not be administered except in extreme circumstances and only if I am notified beforehand.  All make-up examinations are 100% essay.

Students must also complete THREE short papers during the semester (25% of total grade).  These two-page papers are intended to encourage you to think about current issues and events in a sociological way.  Topics will be assigned two weeks before the due date.  No late assignments will be accepted.

Course Description:

This course offers an introduction to the theories, methodologies, vocabulary, and themes of the discipline of sociology.  During the semester, we will explore the linkage between individuals and the larger cultures, contexts, and groups in which they live their lives in order to better understand the structure and function of social interaction, human behavior, and the institutional framework of society.  The over-arching purpose of the course is to instill in you the “sociological imagination”, which can then be used to decipher current social issues and patterns of everyday life.The format of this course is designed to offer students the benefits of both a large lecture class and a small discussion seminar.  On Mondays and Wednesdays, the class will be led by Dr. Crosnoe in a traditional lecture format.  For the third hour, the class will be broken up into smaller units for discussion sections on either Thursday or Friday.  This section, led by one of the teaching assistant, will offer a forum for students to discuss class materials from earlier in the week, explore some new and old topics in greater depth, and engage in exercises intended to provide real world applications of sociological concepts.

Course Readings:

Giddens, Anthony, Mitchell Duneier, Richard Applebaum, and Deborah Carr. 2009. Introduction to Sociology, Seventh Edition. New York: W.W. Norton and Company.

Massey, Garth (Ed.). 2008. Readings for Sociology, Sixth Edition. New York: W.W. Norton and Company.

Course Requirements:

Each student is expected to attend all three weekly class meetings, including the Friday discussion section.  Students should complete all readings prior to the class period for which they are assigned and also be ready to contribute to class discussion.There will be THREE examinations during the semester (75% of final grade).  The exams will draw from both readings and class lectures.  Make-up examinations will not be administered except in extreme circumstances and only if I am notified beforehand.  All make-up examinations are 100% essay.Students must also complete THREE short papers during the semester (25% of total grade).  These two-page papers are intended to encourage you to think about current issues and events in a sociological way.  Topics will be assigned two weeks before the due date.  No late assignments will be accepted.

The educational system encompasses both formal and informal processes.  The formal, such as instruction and learning, generally receive most of the attention in empirical research.  The informal (e.g., socialization, the organization of social relations), however, may be just as important to students’ short- and long-term trajectories.  In other words, the school is a social context in which young people develop as well as an educational institution in which they are taught and exposed to curricula.  The purpose of this graduate seminar is to study this less often explored side of schooling—the school as a social context—by delving into the informal processes of education.  After a brief introduction, this seminar will cover three main areas: 1) the school as a site of social relations, 2) social psychological influences on educational trajectories, and 2) the social psychological consequences of educational experiences.

Course Description
This course offers an introduction to the theories, methodologies, vocabulary, and themes of the discipline of sociology.  During the semester, we will explore the linkage between individuals and the larger cultures, contexts, and groups in which they live their lives in order to better understand the structure and function of social interaction, human behavior, and the institutional framework of society.  The over-arching purpose of the course is to instill in you the “sociological imagination”, which can then be used to decipher current social issues and patterns of everyday life.

The format of this course is designed to offer students the benefits of both a large lecture class and a small discussion seminar.  On Mondays and Wednesdays, the class will be led by Dr. Crosnoe in a traditional lecture format.  For the third hour, the class will be broken up into smaller units for discussion sections on either Thursday or Friday.  This section, led by one of the teaching assistant, will offer a forum for students to discuss class materials from earlier in the week, explore some new and old topics in greater depth, and engage in exercises intended to provide real world applications of sociological concepts.

Course Readings
Giddens, Anthony, Mitchell Duneier, Richard Applebaum, and Deborah Carr. 2009. Introduction to Sociology, Seventh Edition. New York: W.W. Norton and Company.

Massey, Garth (Ed.). 2008. Readings for Sociology, Sixth Edition. New York: W.W. Norton and Company.

Course Requirements
Each student is expected to attend all three weekly class meetings, including the Friday discussion section.  Students should complete all readings prior to the class period for which they are assigned and also be ready to contribute to class discussion.

There will be THREE examinations during the semester (75% of final grade).  The exams will draw from both readings and class lectures.  Make-up examinations will not be administered except in extreme circumstances and only if I am notified beforehand.  All make-up examinations are 100% essay.

Students must also complete THREE short papers during the semester (25% of total grade).  These two-page papers are intended to encourage you to think about current issues and events in a sociological way.  Topics will be assigned two weeks before the due date.  No late assignments will be accepted.

See attached syllabus in pdf form.

University of Texas at Austin                                                                                          Sociology 389K (46705)

Department of Sociology                                                                                                                   Fall, 2009

                                                                                                                                             F: 10:00 - 12:00

                                                                                                                                                        BUR 214

Training Seminar in Demography

Professor:            Dr. Robert Crosnoe

Office:            Burdine Hall 576

Hours:            By Appointment

Phone:            232-6340

Email:             crosnoe@austin.utexas.edu

The focus of this training seminar is professional socialization—how to get through graduate school and to construct a rewarding career path in population research.  We will spend the semester participating in activities and discussions aimed at providing concrete, practical advice and assistance for getting ahead.  Evaluation (credit/no credit) will be based on attendance and participation (note: attendance at the PRC brown bag series is required of all students).