Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Introduction to Sociology (Face-to-Face)

SOC 1010-01

Course: SOC 1010-01
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: HSOC
CRN: 11215

Course Description

Designed to give students a foundation for all future sociological studies. Develops an understanding of the role of social organization on human interaction. Introduces definitions, terms, and concepts used in sociological literature. (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): Intensive English Program majors may not enroll General Education Category: Social and Behavioral Sciences

Required Texts

Eddy, Matthew. 2026. Introduction to Sociology: Readings that Elaborate on the Lectures for Soc 1010. [Manuscript]

Learning Outcomes

1. Cultivate the “sociological imagination”: understanding how our life stories are linked to social and historical contexts, or to put it another way, how personal problems are linked to social problems, social forces, and social institutions.

 

2. Develop our abilities to see the social world through the lenses of the 3 main sociological theories (conflict theory, symbolic-interactionism, and structural functionalism). In addition, we will explore the strengths and weaknesses of major social theorists including Max Weber and Emile Durkheim.

 

3. Sharpen your theoretical insights, helping you to better understand and explain the social world around us. This involves analyzing major social phenomenon through multiple theoretical vantage points.

 

4. Develop capacities for sharing our viewpoint, sifting through evidence, and making arguments from evidence, in a respectful manner, appropriate to our multicultural democratic society.

 

5. Develop capacities for appreciating the strengths and weaknesses of social science research methods – especially one of the most widely used methods: opinion surveys.

Course Requirements

30% Exam #1 – multiple-choice, open-note (hand-written only), bring a scantron & pencil

35% Exam #2 –multiple-choice, open-note (hand-written only), bring a scantron & pencil

35% Exam #3 (Final) – multiple-choice, open-note (hand-written only), bring a scantron & pencil

Course Outline

Week #1

Read Chapter 1: Introduction & Founders of Sociology

 

Week #2

Read Chapter 2: Major theories in sociology 

 

Week #3

Read Chapter 3: More major theories

 

Week #4

Read Chapter 4: Survey Methods 

 

Week #5

Read Chapter 5: Survey Methods (part 2) & Durkheim     

**Exam #1, in class on Friday – bring your notes, a scantron sheet & a pencil

 

Week #6

Read Chapter 6: The 3 Big Theories

 

Week #7

Read Chapter 7: Norms & nature versus nurture

 

Week #8

Read Chapter 8: Agents of socialization & social networks

 

Week #9 

Read Chapter 9: Deviance continued

 

Week #10

Read Chapter 10: Deviance/ Crime

 

Week #11

**Exam #2, in class on Friday – bring your notes, a scantron sheet & a pencil

 

Week #12

Read Chapter 11: Deviance/ Crime continued

 

Week #13

Read Chapter 12: Inequality & Gender

 

Week #14 

Read Chapter 13: Gender continued, Race & Ethnicity

 

Week 15/ Finals Week  

The Final Exam (please bring a scantron sheet & a pencil to the exam) will be held during the time scheduled by the SUU Registrar for this course (& held in our regular classroom).

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

The instructor understands that illness, family demands, and other challenges and responsibilities may make it impossible to complete assignments on time. Please communicate in writing why you need an assignment extension (and sign your name), as soon as possible. Make-up exams will be taken in the History, Sociology & Anthropology office, unless you pre-arrange to take them in the Testing Center. If you miss several weeks of class and/ or run into a personal crisis during the semester, you are encouraged to talk to the Dean of Students in person, and bring proof of your situation to the Dean (e.g., a doctor’s note, etc.). the Dean is here to support you, and to validate absences that should be excused by professors. In many cases, the Dean can keep the reasons for your absence confidential. 

Attendance Policy

Students who attend class very consistently may receive a few extra credit points on their Final Grade in the course, especially if they participate in class and are not disruptive. Having taught this course for almost 10 years, past history shows that students who do not attend consistently almost always score a B or lower on the Exams. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class meeting

Course Fees

There are no course fees for this course.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.