Independent University, Bangladesh

School of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

Department of Social Sciences and Humanities
Course Outline
Part A
1. Course Information:
Course Code SOC101 Course Title Introductory Sociology
Semester / Year Summer 2022 Level / Term 100 level (1st Year)
Course Type Foundation Pre-requisite (If any) N/A
Credit Value 3 Contact Hours / Week 3
Section 05 Total Marks 100

2. Instructor Information:

Name Obydullah Al Marjuk Designation Senior Lecturer

E-mail [email protected] WhatsApp 01617009228

Class Room C 2004 Office Room 7007 B Academic Building
MW 9:40 – 11:10 or by
Class Hours MW 11:20 – 12:50 Tutorial Hours
appointment

3. Course Rationale/Summary
For anyone interested in sociology this course is highly recommended since this is an introductory course
in sociology, with particular emphasis on sociological concepts and theories; social institutions and
networking; social problems and change; and methods of sociological investigation. Understanding basic
concepts and theories of sociology would inspire students searching for the root causes of social problems
and applying their knowledge and skill to resolve those problems for making the world more livable for
everybody.

4. Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) of BSS in Sociology

The program learning outcomes of the sociology program are the following:
Students will be able to…
PLO1: Cultivate sociological imagination for understanding social structure, inequality, and human
behaviour (FT)
PLO2: Apply sociological concepts to comprehend diverse social reality (FSTP)
PLO3: Critically evaluate sociological theories and their application to social issues and problems (FSTP)
PLO4: Develop effective communication strategies to deal with people and situations (STP)
PLO5: Develop intercultural knowledge and competence about local and global communities (FSP)
PLO6: Enhance critical and analytical skills for effective participation in professional, personal and public
affairs (STP)

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PLO7: Analyze a social phenomenon and/or solve a social problem through sociological methods (FST)
PLO8: Conduct social research by applying quantitative and qualitative strategies (FSTP)
(F=Fundamental Domain, S=Social Domain, T=Thinking Domain, P=Personal Domain)

5. Course Objectives (Cos)

To enable students thinking sociologically
To introduce the learners with the basic concepts of sociology and its fundamental aspects that
are essential to progress with the discipline
To analyze the basic elements and functions of human society systematically with particular
emphasis on core sociological perspectives (theoretical orientations)
▪ Functionalist
▪ Conflict
▪ Interactionalist

6. Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

1. To report the background of sociology and other social sciences
2. To analyze the major social and intellectual forces of the development of sociology
3. To remember with the key sociologists and their contribution
4. To evaluate the principal aspects of society and human groups
5. To remember and apply the sociological methods of knowledge production

7. Mapping Alignment of CLOs and PLOs

PLO1 PLO2 PLO3 PLO4 PLO5 PLO6 PLO7 PLO8

CLO1 3 1
CLO2 2 2
CLO3 3 3
CLO4 3 2 3 2 3 3
CLO5 1 3
3-Strong Correlation, 2- Medium Correlation, 1- Low Correlation

Part B
1. Assessment and Marks Distribution:
Students will be assessed based on their overall performance in all the exams, Tests, and class
participation. The final numeric reward will be the compilation of:
Two quizzes due in different times of the semester (20%)
Mid-term test (fourteenth class) (25%)
Final exam (fourth week of August) (30%)
One assignment (15%) [details of the assignment will be provided later]
A participation mark (10%) will reflect tutorial engagement; it may include occasional Tests and
other assignments. Class attendance is mandatory; failure to do so may deduct the final marks

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The detailed distribution is furnished below:
CIE- Continuous Internal Evaluation SMEE- Semester Mid & End
(45 Marks) Examination (55 Marks)
Class Quizzes Assignment Midterm Final
Total Marks = Participation (two)
100 10 20 15 25 30
Bloom’s
Category
Remember 2 5 5
Understand 2 10 2 5 5
Apply 2 10 3 10 5
Analyze 2 3 5 10
Evaluate 1 2 5
Create 1 5

2. Grade Conversion Scheme:

The following chart will be followed for grading. This scheme follows the guideline provided by the School
of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (SLASS), IUB.

A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D F

90-100 85-89 80-84 75-79 70-74 65-69 60-64 55-59 50-54 45-49 0-44
* Numbers are inclusive

Part C
1. Required Text:
The course will be based mostly on the following books [some other books and journals may be referred
time to time]:
Richard T. Schaefer (2009) Sociology [9th or later International Editions], New York: McGraw-
Hill
Gerber, L. M. & Macionis, J. J. (2004). Sociology, (Updated 4th Canadian edition). Toronto:
Pearson Education Inc.
2. More Readings:
Steve Bruce (2000) Sociology: A Very Short Introduction, New York: Oxford Univer Press.
Martin Albrow (1999) Sociology: The Basics [1st Edition], Routledge.
David Popenoe (2000) Sociology [11th Edition], New Jersey: Prentice-Hall.
Alex Thio (2005) Sociology: A Brief Introduction [6th Edition], Boston: Pearson Education.
Anthony Giddens (2006) Sociology [5th Edition], Cambridge: Polity Press.
3. Pedagogy:
Teaching pedagogy will include lectures, video clips, problem solving, case study, presentation, etc.
4. Link to Learning Management System: https://classroom.google.com/u/0/h (use your IUB email
address to see the enrolled courses)

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Part D
1. Course Policy:
(b) Attendance: Regular class attendance is mandatory. Points will be taken off for missing classes.
Without 75% of attendance, sitting for final exam is NOT allowed. According to IUB policy students
must enter the classroom within the first 10 minutes to get the attendance.
(c) Lecture Notes and Learning Materials: The lecture notes and/or other reading materials for each
class will be available to the online platform prior to that class so that student may have a cursory
look into the materials.
(d) Class Participation: Class participation is vital for better understanding of technological issues.
Students are invited to class discussion and raise questions.
(e) Tutorials: Students should take tutorials with the instructor during the office hours. Other than
the office hours, prior appointment is required.
(f) Makeup Class: Students will be notified in due time for any class cancelation, extra class, make-
up class and tutorial class.
(g) Exam schedule: The date and syllabus of quiz, and midterm exam is already given here, however,
announcements will be given ahead of time. Final exam will be held as per schedule declared by
the controller of exam office.
(h) Makeup Exams: There is NO provision for makeup exams. However, makeup for mid-term
examination may be arranged only if an absolutely unavoidable valid reason for absence is found.
In such a case, a written explanation of the situation along with supporting documents must be
submitted to the department before the exam date.
(i) Cheating and Plagiarism: Cheating and plagiarism (that is, the presentation of another person’s
thoughts or words as though they were the student’s own) on exams, assignments and reports
are unacceptable. University policies shall be strictly enforced in this regard.
(j) Audit: Students who are willing to audit the course are welcome during the first two classes and
are advised to contact the instructor after that.
(k) Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities are required to inform the Department of
Social Sciences and Humanities of any specific requirement for classes or examination as soon as
possible.
(l) Incomplete (‘I’) Grade: Awarding of Incomplete or ‘I’ grades should be strongly discouraged. ‘I’
will only be allowed for students who have a valid reason (ascertained by the senior
management). In situations where the student is unable to complete the course due to
unanticipated illness or family emergency and has not attended at least 75% of the classes held,
he/she will be asked to withdraw from that course and repeat it. In unavoidable circumstances
where students have completed 75% of the classes but are unable to continue (due to illness or
family emergency), incomplete grade of ‘I’ may be granted. The incomplete course has to be
completed by the end of the next semester, otherwise, grade ‘I’ automatically becomes grade ‘F’.
For details, please subscribe to the Green Book.
(m) Withdrawal (‘W’): A student may decide to withdraw from a course by the deadline. Students
must apply following the due process within the deadline. However, if a student misses a total of
8 classes in a course, s/he will automatically end up with a ‘W’ grade.
2. University Regulation and Code of Conduct:
Students must obey the IUB code of conduct and ethical guidelines through Green Book available in the
IUB website. Please see the Green Book for further information about academic regulation and policies,
including withdrawal and grading, appeals and penalties for plagiarism and academic misconduct.

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Part E: Class & Exam Schedule, Topics and Readings:
Class Teaching Assessment
Learning Outcomes Topics Readings
Sessions Strategy Strategy
To introduce each other Lecture &
Session – 1 To identify the rules and policy Introduction Cooperative N/A
To exchange the course outline Learning
Formative
To describe and explain the key concepts in Handout on
Session – 2 Key Concepts in Sociology Lecturer & QA Assessment &
sociology LMS*
Written Test
Formative
To describe and explain the key concepts in Handout on
Session – 3 Key Concepts in Sociology Lecturer & QA Assessment &
sociology LMS
Written Test
To state the background of the emergence of Formative
sociology as a discipline Development of Sociological Assessment, Ritzer, Schaefer
Session – 4 Lecturer & QA
To describe the social context of Europe between Thought: Social Forces Presentation & Ch-1
the 12th to the 18th Century Written Test
Syllabus is on
Session – 5 To assess students’ learning Quiz 1 due N/A Written Test
LMS
To state the intellectual background of the
emergence of sociology
Formative
To describe the intellectual context of Europe
Development of Sociological Assessment, Ritzer, Schaefer
Session – 6 between the 12th to the 18th Century Lecturer & QA
Thoughts: Intellectual Forces Presentation & Ch-1
To explain key events during this period, i.e.
Written Test
Renaissance, Reformation, French Revolution,
Enlightenment, Industrial Revolution
To describe major theoretical perspectives
To explain major theoretical perspectives
Lecture & Written Test,
Session – 7 To differentiate major theoretical perspectives Major Theoretical Orientations Schaefer, Ch-1
Group Work Case Study
To relate major theoretical perspectives with real-
life situations
Written Test, Gerber &
To explain the scientific method
Session – 8 Sociological Investigation Lecturer & QA Case Study, Macionis Ch-2,
To describe major research designs
Assignment Schaefer Ch-2
To evaluate the appropriate research strategy Written Test, Gerber &
Session – 9 To explain the ethics of research Sociological Investigation Lecturer & QA Case Study, Macionis Ch-2,
To use technology in Sociological Research Assignment Schaefer Ch-2

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 To define culture and society
To describe the development of culture around
the world
To explain elements of culture Becoming a Member of Lecturer, Video Written Test &
Session – 10 Schaefer Ch-3
To explain the culture and the dominant ideology Society: Culture & QA Case Study
To explain cultural variation
To relate any real-life situation with the
terminologies
To explain the role of socialization
To distinguish between nature and nurture
Becoming a Member of Lecturer, Video, Written Test &
Session – 11 To explain the self and socialization theories Schaefer Ch-4
Society: Socialization Debate & QA Case Study
To describe the agents of socialization and their
roles
To explain social interaction and reality
To explain elements of social structure
Becoming a Member of Formative
To distinguish between role conflict, role strain
Session – 12 Society: Groups and Lecturer & QA Assessment & Schaefer Ch-5
and role exit
Organizations Written Test
To define groups
To define organizations
Syllabus is on
Session – 13 To assess students’ learning Mid-term test N/A Written Test
LMS
To define stratification
To explain stratification by social class Gerber &
Lecturer, Group Formative
To identify social class in Bangladesh Social Inequality and Macionis Ch-11,
Session – 14 Discussion, Assessment &
To define social mobility Stratification: Global Inequality Schaefer Ch-8,
Video & QA Written Test
To distinguish between horizontal and vertical 9
mobility
To define minority, racial, and ethnic groups
To identify the relationship between prejudice
and discrimination Social Inequality and Lecturer, Group Formative
Session – 15 To explain patterns of prejudice and Stratification: Race and Discussion & Assessment & Schaefer Ch-10
discrimination Ethnicity QA Written Test
To depict the patterns of intergroup relations
To explain the impact of global immigration
To describe the notion of the social construction
Formative
of gender Social Inequality and Lecturer,
Session – 16 Assessment & Schaefer Ch-11
To explain inequality by gender Stratification: Gender Debate & QA
Written Test
To explain women as the oppressed majority

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 To determine the intersection of gender, race,
and class
To define family from a global view
To define social institutions: family and religion Formative
Gerber &
To explain family in the new era Social Institutions: Family Lecturer, Assessment,
Session – 17 Macionis Ch-18,
To identify the types of marriage and family [Assignment announced]* Debate & QA Written Test &
Schaefer Ch-12
To explain and contextualize divorce Assignment
To identify the social cost of divorce
To define power and authority Formative
To explain types of government Assessment,
Session – 18 Social Institutions: Government Lecturer & QA Schaefer Ch-14
To analyze political behaviour in Bangladesh Case Study &
To explain the models of a power structure Written Test
Syllabus is on
Session – 19 To assess students’ learning Quiz 2 due N/A Written Test
LMS
To explain economic systems
Formative
To analyze capitalism in china Social Institutions: Economy
Session – 20 Lecturer & QA Assessment & Schaefer Ch-14
To connect work and alienation and Work
Written Test
To depict the changing economy
To explain two population theories by Malthus
Formative Gerber &
and Marx Changing Society: Population,
Session – 21 Lecturer & QA Assessment & Macionis Ch-22,
To distinguish between two theories Urbanization and Environment
Written Test Schaefer Ch-15
To define different aspects of demography
To calculate different demographic rates Formative Gerber &
Changing Society: Population,
Session – 22 To explain population pyramid and population Lecturer & QA Assessment & Macionis Ch-22,
Urbanization and Environment
transition Written Test Schaefer Ch-15
Changing Society: Technology,
Formative
To explain theories of social change Collective Behavior and Social
Session – 23 Lecturer & QA Assessment & Schaefer Ch-16
To depict the notion of global social change Change [Assignment due on
Written Test
23rd class]
Changing Society: Technology, Formative
To summarize the resistance to social change
Session – 24 Collective Behavior and Social Lecturer & QA Assessment & Schaefer Ch-16
To determine technology and the future
Change Written Test
To revise the previous learning Self-Study peer
Session – 25 Self-Study and Revision N/A N/A
To prepare for the final exam Discussion
Session – 26 Final Exam
*LMS stands for Learning Management System (all PowerPoint slides will be available on Google Classroom)
*The details of the assignment will be provided later

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