SOLUS is Queen’s Student On-Line University System. You’ll have access to a SOLUS account once you become a Queen’s student. You’ll use SOLUS to register for courses, add and drop courses, update your contact information, view financial and academic information, and pay your tuition.
Introduction to Sociology
SOCY 122/6.0
An introduction to the concepts, theories and methods of sociological enquiry, and their application to the analysis of Canadian society.
Please note: This course is typically offered in the fall and/or winter term
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.
Description
An introduction to the concepts, theories and methods of sociological enquiry, and their application to the analysis of Canadian society.
Terms
Fall-Winter 2020-2021
Course Dates:
Sept. 8, 2020 - April 9, 2021
Exam Dates:
Midterm: Dec. 10 - 23, 2020 & Final Exam: April 14 - 30, 2021
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
Professor Sachil Singh (singh.sachil@queensu.ca)
Textbooks 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.
Course Resources
About SOLUS
About OnQ
onQ is Queen's online learning platform. You'll log into onQ to access your course. All materials related to your course—notes, readings, videos, recordings, discussion forums, assignments, quizzes, groupwork, tutorials, and help—will be on the onQ site.
About Credit Units
Queen’s courses are weighted in credit units. A typical one-term course is worth 3.0 units, and a typical two-term course is worth 6.0 units. You combine these units to create your degree. A general (three-year) BA or BSc requires a total of 90 credit units.
Computer Requirements
To take an online course, you’ll need a high speed internet connection as well as a microphone and speakers to be able to watch videos, hear sounds, and participate in interactive online activities. A webcam is recommended but not necessary.
System Requirements:
Computer Specifications
- Windows 8.1 or newer
- OSX 10.13 (High Sierra) or newer
- Dual Core 2 GHz processor
- 4 GB RAM
- Soundcard
- USB Headset
- Webcam
Supported Browsers
- Chrome (preferred - latest version)
- Firefox (latest version)
- Safari is not recommended as it causes several known issues in onQ
- Edge is not recommended as it causes several known issues in onQ
Internet Connection
- Wired high speed access: Cable or better
- Wifi is not recommended
Java
- Latest version
Media Player
- Flash (latest version)
Adobe Reader
- Latest Version
Dates/Deadlines
The deadlines for new applications to Queen’s Arts and Science Online courses are in our Upcoming Application Dates section.
Grading Scheme
The information below is intended for undergraduate students in the Faculty of Arts and Science. Academic Regulations in other Faculties may differ.
| Letter Grade | Grade Point |
| A+ | 4.30 |
| A | 4.00 |
| A- | 3.70 |
| B+ | 3.30 |
| B | 3.00 |
| B- | 2.70 |
| C+ | 2.30 |
| C | 2.00 |
| C- | 1.70 |
| D+ | 1.30 |
| D | 1.00 |
| D- | 0.70 |
| F | 0.00 |
GPA Calculators
Have your SOLUS grade report handy and then follow the link to the Arts and Science GPA calculators.
How does this affect my academics?
See the GPA and Academic Standing page.
Follow the link above for an explanation of how the GPA system affects such things as the Dean’s Honour List, requirements to graduate, and academic progression.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Grading Scheme
Please follow this link to the FAQ's
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees vary depending when you start, your year, faculty, and program. Fees for Summer Term 2018 first-year Distance Career Arts & Science Domestic students are as follows: for a 3.0-unit course, $685.90; for a 6.0-unit course, $1371.80 See also Tuition and Fees.
Campus Bookstore
All textbooks can be purchased at Queen’s Campus Bookstore.
Non-Queen’s Students
All Queen’s Arts and Science Online courses are open to students at other universities. Before applying as a visiting student, request a Letter of Permission from your home university that states that you have permission to take the course and apply it to your degree. See also Apply.
Academic Integrity
Please see Queen’s policy statement on academic integrity for information on how to complete an online course honestly.
