Overview
An introduction to the concepts, theories and methods of sociological enquiry, and their application to the analysis of Canadian society.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course you will be able to:
- Identify and describe the difference between ‘taken-for-granted thinking’ and ‘critical sociological thinking’.
- Examine the ‘western’ tradition of classical sociological theorists (such as Marx, Weber, and Durkheim) and critically evaluate why non-western thinkers (such as Khaldūn) are usually excluded from the mainstream sociology canon.
- Describe a sociological understanding of the contemporary world using a range of theoretical perspectives to locate people’s lived experiences in historical context.
- Examine a range of sociological perspectives such as the sociological imagination, the social construction of reality, science as a way of knowing, and society as the product of human social interactions.
- Use an intersectional approach to describe oppressions of class, race, gender, religion, and sexuality.
- Evaluate how ‘digital sociology’ helps explain the social impact of the internet, ‘big data’ and surveillance.
- Engage in a dialogue with peers to explain social phenomena from a sociological frame of reference.
- Use a scaffolded approach to write a sociological research essay.
Terms
Evaluation
0% - Self-Assessnent Quizzes
5% - Thesis Statement I
5% - Library Research Tutorial
5% - Encyclopedia Assignment
10% - Annotated Bibliography
10% - Online Forum Discussions (x2)
20% - Proctored Mid-Term Exam
5% - Thesis Statement II
20% - Research Essay
20% - Proctored Final Exam
*Evaluation Subject to Change*
Live Sessions
This course has required and optional live sessions (e.g. webinars, synchronous activities). Please consult the Timeline in the first week of class.
Final Examination
Students must write their exams on the day and time scheduled by the University. The start time may vary slightly depending on the off-campus exam centre. Do not schedule vacations, appointments, etc., during the exam period.
EXAMITY STATEMENT
When you enrol in this online course, you are agreeing to write tests, quizzes, and block theory exams online with remote proctoring. The benefits of this are that you can complete the exam in your own space using your own computer. For each assessment, you will be using exam software developed at Queen’s, which is integrated with an online proctoring system. To ensure a successful exam experience, you are responsible for ensuring that your computer meets the Evaluation and Grading Policies.
8 minimum technical requirements, as described on the course web page, and that you are located in an area with sufficient high speed internet at the time of the exam. You will be given the opportunity to practice the exam initiation process in advance of any quizzes, tests or exams that require the use of this software
Instructor Information
Professor Sachil Singh (singh.sachil@queensu.ca)
Textbook and Materials
Required Textbook
ASO reserves the right to make changes to the required material list as received by the instructor before the course starts. Please refer to the Campus Bookstore website at http://www.campusbookstore.com/Textbooks/Search-Engine to obtain the most up-to-date list of required materials for this course before purchasing them.
Required Textbook
- Anderson, Karen. 2016. Thinking about Sociology. 2nd ed. Don Mills: Oxford University Press (Available from the Campus Bookstore).
- Option 1: e-Book
- Option 2: physical copy
The following resource is available through Queen’s library:
- Ritzer, George and J. Michael Ryan. 2011. The Concise Encyclopedia of Sociology, Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing. This encyclopedia is part of the Queen’s library subscriptions. As a Queen’s student you are able to download it in its entirety as a pdf [https://onlinelibrary-wiley-com.proxy.queensu.ca/doi/book/10.1002/9781444392654].
- Additional required readings will be posted in the course website.
Time Commitment
To complete the readings, assignments, and course activities, students can expect to spend, on average, about 10 hours per week (240 hours total) on the course.