1. Spring 2016 Self and Society 1301-01
Instructor: Frank M. Carrejo ABD
Class Time: Mon & Wed 2:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Classroom: Doyle Hall 134
Office Hours: Doyle Hall 217 MW 1:00p.m. - 1:45p.m.
Department Office: Doyle Hall 226
Email: fcarrejo@stedwards.edu
Required Textbook: Conley, Dalton. You May Ask Yourself: An Introduction to Thinking Like a
Sociologist 4th ed. New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc. 2015.
Course Description and Objectives:
This course is an introduction to understanding what sociology is about. It explores the discipline
through an examination of sociological questions and concepts and ways of analyzing social life.
The focus is on how human societies organize themselves; how culture, socialization, norms,
values, power relations, social institutions and group interaction affect the individual; and how,
in turn, societies are transformed by human action. Of particular concern are the problems
facing contemporary societies. Students are expected to confirm their understanding of these
basic sociological concepts about the social world. This course is a prerequisite for many of our
other sociology courses.
This course will help you attain these education goals and objectives:
 An understanding of society and human behavior in relation to it.
 To present an overview of basic sociological concepts and theories.
 To challenge the students’ common sense ideas about human behavior through
examining and evaluating social research.
 To facilitate open, non-judgmental discussion about current events while applying a
“sociological imagination.”
 To facilitate an understanding of other cultures and their complexities in relation to the
United States.
 To assist the student in developing an enthusiasm for sociology as a way of
understanding the world.
By the end of this course, students should have the ability to critically examine the world around
them.

2. Academic Integrity: St. Edward’s University expects academic honesty from all members of
the community, and it is our policy that academic integrity be fostered to the highest degree
possible. Consequently, all work submitted for grading in a course must be created as a result of
your own thought and effort. Representing work as your own when it is not a result of such
thought and effort is a violation of our code of academic integrity" (St. Edward's University
Undergraduate Bulletin 2015-2016: p. 25). Plagiarism or cheating of any kind will not be
tolerated and will result in failing the course and a formal report to the Dean of the School of
Behavioral and Social Sciences. If you are at any time unclear about what constitutes plagiarism
or cheating then it is your responsibility to talk with me so you understand these issues. In all
instances, you must do your own work. There is no excuse for plagiarism or for submitting
another’s work or ideas as your own. If you help another student in class cheat by sharing your
own work with them then both of you will receive a failing grade and a formal report to the
Dean. Your naiveté of what constitutes plagiarism or cheating is not an acceptable excuse. As a
student at SEU, it is YOUR responsibility to educate yourself on all forms of academic integrity.
Please see the formal university policy at:
http://think.stedwards.edu/deanofstudents/studenthandbook/academicintegrity, and the
following website for key information on plagiarism:
http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism.shtml.
Attendance: Regular class attendance is expected. In order to learn the material presented,
students must not only attend, but participate in discussions. In order to develop their critical
analysis of sociological topics discussed in class, students must display an intellectual grasp of
the material. Attendance will be taken regularly; more than 3 absences will result in the loss of a
letter grade for the semester. After your fourth absence a mandatory meeting must be scheduled
with me to discuss options moving forward.
Classroom Etiquette: Each student is expected to adhere to rules governing student conduct as
set forth by St. Edwards University. Such conduct applies to ethics regarding cheating on exams,
plagiarism, classroom demeanor, disruptive behavior, etc. Failure to adhere to University rules
will result in University based sanctions. As this course hinges on discussion, it is of the utmost
importance that we respect our fellow classmates and the diversity of opinion among us. We
will cover a range of sensitive topics, and the only way to ensure a productive and safe classroom
environment is to participate in a responsible and conscientious manner towards others. CELL
PHONES ARE TO BE TURNED OFF PRIOR TO ENTERING CLASS. One may request
permission to use their laptop or any electronic device to take notes. Headphones may only be
used for accommodation purposes. Anyone granted permission to use their laptop would be
required to send me their notes at the end of class to verify its appropriate use in the classroom.
Tardiness/Leaving Early: Please arrive to class on time! Entering a classroom late is disruptive
to the professor and your classmates. If you cannot arrive on time then do not come at all. If you
foresee any problem with timely arrivals I suggest you speak with me the first week of class or
find another course that better suits your schedule. Furthermore late arrivals will be recorded and
for every late arrival beyond two, one point will be deducted from a student’s final grade at the
end of the semester. Arriving more than ten minutes late and leaving with more than ten minutes
remaining in the class will constitute an absence.

3. Exams: Exams will consist of multiple choice, matching, and short essay questions. Exams are
to be taken on scheduled dates. Make-up exams will be granted at my discretion and will be
scheduled within one week of the original exam date.
Paper: One paper will be assigned this semester. This assignment must be a minimum of five
full pages. The paper should be typed, double-spaced, 12-point font, and one-inch margins. The
paper is worth100 points or the same as an exam. Grammar and spelling will be graded.
Late Papers: Late papers are penalized a letter grade for each day they are late up until they can
score no more than a 50. For students with school related functions that cause you to miss class,
it is your responsibility to get your papers in before you leave. The due dates for the assignments
are posted in the class schedule provided in this syllabus. You are always welcome to turn in
papers early, but they will be returned at the same time as the rest of the class.
Grading: Grades in this course will be determined by class participation (25 points), five pop
quizzes (25 points), three exams (300 points), and one paper (100 points). The final exam will
count as any other exam and will NOTbe comprehensive. Total possible points for the semester
are 450. Extra Credit maybe offered to the class, but will not be offered individually (so take
advantage when I do offer it). Grading will be on a standard ten point scale:
(e.g., 90-100 = A, 80-89.999 = B, 70-79.999 = C, etc., below 60 is failing).
Students with Disabilities: Special Accommodations: If you have a specific disability and
require accommodations, please let us know immediately so that your learning needs may be
appropriately met.
However, accommodation does not give students carte blanche to ignore deadlines or use time
unwisely. Rather, it allows you to request reasonable accommodations ahead of time, and at
my discretion. Thus it will be your responsibility to request accommodations at least 48 hours
BEFORE an assignment deadline.
Academic Planning and Support Services (APSS) is available to help you perform to the best of
your ability academically, and offers individual counseling appointments. These meetings allow
for structured training in academic skills such as time management, critical reading, goal setting,
test preparation, etc. You are encouraged to utilize these appointments, which can help you do
well in this course and other courses. To make an appointment, call APSS at 448-8660 or stop by
Moody Hall 155.
NeedHelp? If you experience difficulty in this course for any reason, please consult with me—
it’s not unusual to struggle, and I may be able to advise you or direct you to campus resources.
SEU provides a variety of services to support you in meeting requirements and achieving
success:
 Help with writing: Writing Center, located in 113 Sorin Hall. Appointments are
scheduled through their online calendar at the
http://www.stedwards.edu/writing/index.html.
 Computer Help: available in Moody Hall 309 or the Computer Help Desk at 448-8443.

4.  Tutoring: Academic Planning and Support (http://www.stedwards.edu/apss/index.htm) is
in Moody 155.
 Help with anxiety or depression: The Counseling Center is on the ground floor of
Johnson Hall, Suite 100, phone no. 448-8538
(http://www.stedwards.edu/counsel/index.htm) in 110 Moody Hall is available for your
emotional needs. Another resource is Campus Ministry
(http://www.stedwards.edu/ministry/ministry.htm) in Mang House.
Contacting your professor: My office hours are posted on the first page of the syllabus and that
time is set-aside just for my students. During office hours, you are encouraged to come and ask
any questions concerning the course, assignments or grades. Please do not email for slides,
notes, or grades, and absolutely NO ASSIGNMENTS are accepted via email unless instructed.
It is your responsibility to get any notes from a fellow student.
While deadlines are important, I do understand that emergencies come up and students may get
behind. The sooner you notify me of such a situation (verified), the sooner we can work together
to find a solution to complete this course successfully.
The following schedule is flexible and may change during the semester:
January 11: Introductions, go over syllabus, and discussion about classroom expectations.
January 13: Chapter 1 Sociological Imagination: An Introduction
January 18: MLK DAY – NO CLASS –
January 20: cont. Chapter 1
January 25: Chapter 2 Methods
January 27: Official headcount day and last day to drop unrecorded.
February 1: cont. Chapter 2
February 3: Chapter 3 Culture and Media
February 8: cont. Chapter 3
February 10: Chapter 4 Socialization and the Construction of Reality
February 15: cont. Chapter 4
February 17: TEST 1 over Chapters 1-4
February 22: Hand out written assignment and Video

5. February 24: Video and discussion
February 29: Chapter 6 Social Control and Deviance
March 2: cont. Chapter 6
March 7: Chapter 7 Stratification; Written Assignment due
March 9: cont. Chapter 7
March 12-18: SPRING BREAK
March 21: Power (not in text book)
March 23: cont. Power
March 28: TEST 2 over Chapters 5, 6, 7 and Power
March 30: Chapter 8 Gender
April 4: cont. Gender
April 6: Chapter 9 Race
April 11: cont. Race
April 13 Chapter 10 Family
April 18: cont. Family
April 20: Video
April 25: Environmental Sociology (Not in textbook)
April 27: cont. Environmental Sociology
May 5: Test 3 (Ch. 8-10, Environmental Sociology) FINAL @1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.