INSTITUTIONS AND SOCIAL CHANGE

"Sociological Concepts"

Sociology, 7th Edition---by Jon M. Shepard

Assigned Materials in The Sociology Shop

In-Class Handouts

EDUCATION---Chapter 12

Handouts provided in class

Paulo Freire
Short Biography and bibliography of his books

A Problem-Posing Approach
Short essay on Freire's approach...part of a larger paper you might find interesting

Glossary of terms Freire uses
Very helpful for understanding how Freire uses his words

Issues in Freirean Pedagogy
Long and sometimes difficult article about Freire's ideas...but worth a try...especially with the Glossary linked above



MARRIAGE/FAMILY---Chapter 11

Family Discussions
An Excellent site for articles and more

Excellent Charts on Variety of Issues and Topics
From the Family Discussions site

HANDOUT: The Way We Weren't...by...Stephanie Coontz

The Way We Really Are
Summary chapter by chapter of Coontz's latest book...very good stuff

HANDOUT: Gender Allocation in Selected Technological Activities in 224 Societies

Marrige and Family Room in TSS
Many resources about marriage and family and related topics

HANDOUT:Mills' Structural Model

HANDOUT:Human LIberation Poem

HANDOUT:How to Hold a Wife: A Bridegroom's Guide

HANDOUT:Quote from Harry Overstreet

HANDOUT:Which of These is a Family?



POLITICAL ECONOMY---Chapter 13

HANDOUT:Politics and "The System" by Michael Parenti

HANDOUT:Who Governs?

HANDOUT:Classes

HANDOUT:Labor and Alienated Labor in Capitalist Society (Marx)

HANDOUT:Capitalism: Differing Perspectives

HANDOUT:The Fiscal Crisis of the State

Federalist Paper #10
Use the Handout that interprets what Madison was saying in this very important political document

HANDOUT: Commentary on what Madison meant

Article about Who's Running America
Contains some data from "Clinton Years" edition which will update the Handout I gave from the "Bush Years" edition

HANDOUT:Dimensions of America's Elite

Elitist Conspiracy Site
Look over some of the links...some very interesting lists and documents...they sound good, but....



RELIGION---Chapter 14

Marx, Religion, and Sociology of Religion
by David H. Kessel

Marx on Religion
His own words

Introduction to Weber's THE PROTESTANT ETHIC AND SPIRIT OF CAPITALISM

Sociology of Religion...Durkheim

The Secular Room of TSS
My own collection of links (including all of these): take a look at some of them

Freedom of Religion or Belief
A Country by Country Analysis

A Parent's Guide to Religion in the Public Schools

Religion Gateway: Resources

Atheist Express

C.R.A.F.T.: Creating Religious Acceptance. Freedom, & Tolerance

Religious LIberty
Many good links

Yahoo: Freedom of Religion
More interesting links



HEALTH---Chapter 15

HANDOUT: "Mental Illness Is Still a Myth" by Thomas Szasz

HANDOUT: "Health as a Virtue" by Ivan Illich

HANDOUT: "The Psychology of Normalcy" by Erich Fromm

Medicalization and Social Control: A Bibliography

Medicine Gives Us a Longer Life?

Mental Illness and the Medical Model

Health Studies: Medicalization

Medical Deviance

Social Control Through Medicine

Medicalization and Social Ills (gun control)

Thomas Szasz, "The Myth of Mental Illness", and the Implications for Occupational Therapy

Being Sane in Insane Places

The Medicalization of Old Age

The Medicalization of Women's Lives

Death with Dignity National Center



COLLECTIVE BEHAVIOR---Chapter 17



SOCIAL CHANGE---Chapter 18

4/03………Introduction/The Sociology Shop/Sociological Concepts

4/10………Sociological Concepts and Education (Chpt 12)

4/17...........Education

4/24………Family, Marriage, and other things (Chpt 11)

5/01………Political Economy (Chpt 13)

5/08………Religion (Chpt 14)

5/15………Religion and Health (Chapter 15)

5/22………Health (and Population)

5/29………Collective Behavior (Chpt 17) and Social Change (Chpt 18)

6/05………Social Change and Conclusion

6/12………Finals Week

There will be five (5) analysis papers on a variety of topics...each is worth 20 points...for a total of 100 points. Minimum length is 1 page...Maximum is 3 pages.

Mid-Term Exam

A TAKE-HOME EXAM worth 100 points

Internet Assignment

This assignment...worth 100 points...allows you to use the Internet for researching an Institution of your choice. Instructions have been passed out in class and are online HERE

Final Exam

A Take-Home Essay test...worth 100 points...covering materials since the MT.

4/10...............................Analysis Paper #1 Due

4/24...............................Analysis Paper #2 Due

5/01...............................Analysis Paper #3 Due

5/08...............................Mid-Term Exam Due

5/22...............................Analysis Paper #4 Due

6/05...............................Internet Assignment Due

6/12...............................Final and AP #5 Due

Do this one if you've NEVER TAKEN a course with me...

You've just read and considered some "Sociological Concepts" which are pertinent to a Critical Sociologicl approach. Some may have been familiar (from other Sociology courses you've taken) and some not...but whichever the case, I'd like you to try your hand at summarizing what you've read here. While you certainly don't have to mention each and every idea, try to be as inclusive (i.e. complete)(i.e. just don't pick out one or two or three) as you can. So, overall...what "sense" does all of this make to you? Go on, give it a try...that's the point...trying.

Do this one if you HAVE TAKEN a course with me already...

After reviewing the "Sociological Concepts" pertinent to a Critical Sociological approach...the ones you were introduced to already, speculate about how we will apply/use these ideas in our study of Institutions and Social Change. I suggest, as a guide, that you take a look at the various topics in our textbook. What areas would need a critical analysis?

Analysis Paper #2

After reading and considering the ideas Freire presents, react or respond to them in some way. The following are SOME possible issues to address...Consider your own past and current experiences in school. What teachers have been "Bankers" and which ones have been "Problem-Posers"? What do you think of all this? Would our current "crisis" in our schools...the dropouts, etc....be diminished if we transformed our approach? Does this give any insight into the lower performances our country is so worried about these days? ETC. ETC.

Analysis Paper #3

What do you think and how do you feel about this whole area of Marriage and Family and Gender (etc.)? Select some (a couple/few) issues and analyze them...use your critical thinking tools and abilities ... don’t merely give your "opinion."

Analysis Paper #4

You can do this AP on ONE of the following topics:

1. So, WHO GOVERNS in America? This should be a bit more complicated to answer now, eh? So, try it anyway...what's this "political economy" thing all about? Just WHO governs...and how, why, and etc., etc., etc.?

OR

2. Where "are you" when it comes to religion...sociologically AND personally? What's on your mind about this massive and sensitive subject? Let those thoughts out...there's no one safer than me to do it with!!!

Analysis Paper #5

Evaluate yourself in this course...not grade-wise...but rather, about the ideas, your reactions to them, your classmates (not individually, of course) discussions, and the course overall. Where and why were you reluctant to be swayed or in other words, what was the learning process like for you? Also, tell me what you thought of the textbook...and...the class assignments. Although I’ll probably get mentioned in this essay... the point of it is YOU, not me. (Do a serious job and you'll get the full 20 pts.)

You are going to need access to a Computer for this course…with access to The Internet. Whether its your own computer…or…one in a Lab…or a friend’s computer…or one at a Library…or even one at a place like Kinko’s, they’re not that difficult to find these days. Why? Well, besides using one for a specific assignment, I’ve decided to copy less and post more for this course…saving on paper as well as costs. Assignment instructions will be online and some required readings will be online.

That also means you’ll need to learn a basic minimum of skills in navigating The Internet…The Web…Cyberspace…it has many names. It’s a tool that’s quickly become necessity in today’s world…especially as it relates to academics. If you have no experience in doing this, there’s plenty of help available especially at LCC and on the Web itself. I've put a link in the Menu to a "beginners" tutorial. Then…there’s me…I’ll help as much as I can. So don’t panic if you’re in this category…it will be okay.

Finally, The Sociology Shop, my own website, is essential for this course. We have our own “room” in TSS, the SOC 206 Room (the Room you're in NOW) where you’ll find links to the stuff I mentioned above. There's also other rooms which you may find helpful. I will help you become familiar with TSS and how to access information.

Federalist Paper #10
Use the Handout that interprets what Madison was saying in this very important political document

Elitist Conspiracy Site
Look over some of the links...some very interesting lists and documents...they sound good, but....

Promo Page for Thomas R. Dye's latest edition of Who's Running America
Latest in a series of editions detailing the Elitist control of America...see the next site for some details

Article about Who's Running America
Contains some data from "Clinton Years" edition which will update the Handout I gave from the "Bush Years" edition

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