SOC 499: Sociology Capstone

Course Description

The Sociology Capstone is designed for students pursuing a Sociology concentration. In order to demonstrate competence as budding social scientists students must successfully demonstrate an ability to apply the standard research methods, analysis, and theories learned about throughout the courses taken in their discipline. This application will take the form of a final written paper on a research topic of the student's choosing. (3 credits)

Prerequisites

  • ENG 101: English Composition 1
  • ENG 102: English Composition 2

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  1. Use qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, including research design and analysis, and evaluation of data.
  2. Apply key concepts of classical and contemporary sociological theory.
  3. Evaluate societal institutions and social processes, e.g., family, education, work, media, stratification, inequality, power.
  4. Relate sociological research to social problems and social policy formation.
  5. Explain the relationship between personal experience and public issues/social change within a historical/global context.
  6. Demonstrate mastery of the sociological perspective gained throughout your concentration courses through a research paper and portfolio project.

Course Activities and Grading

AssignmentsWeight

Discussions (Weeks 1-8)

45%

Reaction Papers (Weeks 1, 4 & 6)

15%

Research Paper Proposal (Week 2)

5%

Literature Review (Week 3)

5%

Research Paper Outline (Week 5)

5%

Research Paper (Week 7)

15%

Electronic Portfolio (Week 8)

10%

Total

100%

Required Text

  • No required textbooks will be used in this course. There will be articles provided in the weekly course content folders.

Course Schedule

Week

SLOs

Readings and Exercises

Assignments

1

2,5

Theoretical Perspectives
  • Readings:
    • Ritzer, G. Metatheorizing in Sociology
    • Ten Tools for Applying Sociology,
    • Mills, C. Wright. The Promise from The Sociological Imagination
  • Video (optional):
    • Sociological Imagination
  • Review the lecture material
  • Read/view assigned materials
  • Participate in the Discussion
  • Submit Reaction Paper 1

2

1,2

Social Research
  • Readings:
    • Booth, et al. (2008) Thinking in Print: the uses of research, public & private
    • Babbie, E. The Importance of Social Research
  • Read the lecture material
  • Read assigned articles
  • Participate in the Discussion
  • Submit Research Proposal

3

1,2,4

Literature Review and Analysis

  • Readings:
    • Snow, David A., and Leon Anderson. The Subculture of Street Life.
    • Becker, Howard S. Making Sociology Relevant to Society
  • Read the lecture material
  • Read assigned articles
  • Participate in the Discussion
  • Submit Literature Review

4

2,3,4

Social Problems
  • Readings:
    • Blumer, Herbert. Social Problems as Collective Behavior. CourseReader. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 2010.
    • Harris, Scott. Studying the Construction of Social Problems
  • Read the lecture material
  • Read assigned articles
  • Participate in the Discussion
  • Submit Reaction Paper 2

5

1,2,3,4

Power and Inequality
  • Readings:
    • Coates,Ta-Nehisi. The First White President
    • Roscigno, Vincent J., Power, Sociologically Speaking
  • Read the lecture material
  • Read assigned articles
  • Participate in the Discussion
  • Submit Research Paper Outline

6

5,6

Reflecting on Sociology and Careers
  • Readings: Article #6 - Race
    • Spalter-Roth, R. What are they doing with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology?
    • Hecht, J. Preparing for a 21st Century Job Hunt with a BA in Sociology
  • Read the lecture material
  • Read assigned articles
  • Participate in the Discussion
  • Submit Reaction Paper 3

7

5,6

Research Paper
  • Readings:
    • There is no assigned reading or lecture this week.
  • Participate in the Discussion
  • Submit Research Paper

8

5,6

Electronic Portfolio
  • Readings:
    • There is no assigned reading or lecture this week.
  • Participate in the Discussion
  • Submit Electronic Portfolio
  • Complete Course Evaluation

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.