Introduction to Sociology SOC100

Lecture 1: Introduction to Sociology

• SOC100 course introduction and welcome
• The course will examine current social issues
• Students will develop critical thinking and communication skills
• Important to understand current social issues and perspectives
• Most people aren't optimistic about the world's direction

What is SOC100 about?

• Examining current social issues/events
• Determining the current state of things
• Understanding the underlying causes of the situation
• Exploring potential solutions for improvement
• Topics include: current issues, social theories, education, health, social class, economics, and the environment

Topic Schedule

• Week 1: Introduction to the course and sociology
• Week 2: Education and social theories (Part 1)
• Week 3: Education and social theories (Part 2)
• Week 4: Health and mental health
• Week 5: Social class and economic inequality
• Week 6: Environmental problems
• Midterm – Labour and technology, culture and media, gender and sexuality, racial inequality, crime and deviance

SOC100 Skills

• Written Communication
• Synthesizing and applying information
• Critical Thinking
• Equity and Inclusion/Leadership

What is Sociology?

• Sociology is the systematic study of society, social institutions, and social relationships; specifically the systematic study of development, structure, interaction, and collective behavior of organized groups of human beings.
• Sociology examines everything (economics, political science, medicine, psychology, criminology, anthropology, history, and natural sciences).
• Sociology is a broad discipline and examining social issues.
• Sociology approaches problems by looking at the social and structural explanations for issues, rather than biological or individual ones.

What is Sociology? (continued)

• Key examples are the global issues affecting nearly everything and everyone.

• There's no topic that isn't sociological for example: -Even whales are affected by society's impact on the environment (pollution, climate change, fishing).

• There's no issue that can't be approached sociologically; nothing escapes sociology.

• Not every question can be answered, but all questions are sociological.

• There are many ways to look at teen depression from a sociological point of view.

Cognitive Dissonance & Teen Depression

• The cognitive dissonance theory of teen depression (Stadler & Anderson, 2014) is explored as a sociological perspective.
• This theory highlights the cognitive dissonance that teens experience during the transition from childhood to adulthood.
• The theory proposes that this transition leads to a realization that values taught in childhood may not be upheld in adulthood.
• This contrast creates cognitive dissonance.

What is Sociology? (continued part 2)

• The course will teach you how to think sociologically (and apply sociological theories)
• The trick with sociology is that it is easier to tell you how to do it than what it is.
• In other words, sociology is best defined by the way we approach problems looking at social structural explanations.

Principle 1 & University Student Anxiety

• High rates of anxiety and depression in university students compared to prior generations

• A sociological perspective can examine broader factors affecting students as a social group.

• Factors influencing increased anxiety and depression:

  • Highest tuition ever recorded
  • Highest student debt levels recorded
  • Highest work hours from part-time jobs ever recorded

• Increased competition, parental pressure and the feeling of being overwhelmed to succeed as a 'social norm'

Principle #2: "See the Strange in the Familiar'

• Challenge common assumptions and routines.
• For example, the act of shaking hands.

Tutorials

• Tutorials are in-person meetings for discussions
• They are held during some weeks of the semester.
• Cover assigned materials
• Activities and reflections are graded as a contribution to the final grade.

Assigned Material

• Lectures are NOT recorded.
• All lecture materials are posted (in written form)on Quercus, including assigned material (video guides).
• There's no textbook required
• This assigned material will have multiple-choice quizzes before each lecture.
  • These quizzes are worth 1% of your final grade
  • These quizzes are open book, open notes
  • Missed quizzes add to the final (shift automatically)

Debate Research Papers

• Students must write one independent research paper.
• Papers are 3.5 double-spaced pages.
• Includes detailed instructions, a FAQ, a grading rubric, and writing guide on Quercus.
• Topics for papers and their due dates are provided.
• Each paper topic must match the specific paper due date in order to receive credit.

Midterm Test

• The midterm test will cover lectures one through six, and tutorials one through four.
• 50 multiple-choice and true-false questions

Final Exam

• The Final exam is held during the final exam period, as set by the university.
• It is in-person, and worth a minimum of 35% of the final grade
• The score of any missed AM Quizzes and/or tutorial activities add to your final exam score

Course Evaluation Summary

• Summary of the course's grading, including each assessment's worth.

Course Evaluation Flexibility Summary

• Review of the course policies, flexibility, and solutions to stress reduction

My "How to Succeed" Advice

• Guidance for success in the course, including preparation strategies and seeking assistance when needed.

Understanding Your TA's

• Understanding the TAs' role and responsibilities. These often include numerous additional tasks and responsibilities beyond teaching tutorials.

Understanding Your Professors

• Understanding instructors' roles and responsibilities, including preparation time and responsibilities beyond teaching.

Getting Questions Answered

• Strategies for getting your questions answered, including using course forums, emails, and office hours.

Visiting Online Office Hours

• Office hours are held online and in person. Detailed schedule of all weekly office hours is available on Quercus

Part 3: Bias

• Recognizing personal biases in decision-making, and how social location and experience affect perspectives.

• Types of biases to be aware of (Social Location Bias, Confirmation Bias, Fundamental Attribution Error, Self-Serving Bias, Optimism Bias, and Pessimism Bias and Cultural Bias)