Sociological Psychology

Spring '99 -- Dr. Jackie Eller

Flexible Weekly Schedule

Contents of this Page

TEXTS | COURSE DESCRIPTION | COURSE OBJECTIVES | STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES | GRADING | OFFICE/OFFICE HOURS | FLEXIBLE OUTLINE

TEXTS

Inside Social Life: Readings in Sociological Psychology and Microsociology, 2nd Ed
Spencer E. Cahill

Plus assigned readings distributed in class and on reserve

COURSE DESCRIPTION

A sociological examination of the dialectical relationship between self and society.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

1. In addition to the usual expectations of attendance and preparation, you are expected to contribute to class discussions. It is strongly encouraged that you work with other students and ask questions in class. The time we spend together will be devoted to lectures, discussions, and exercises. Remember you have something valuable to say and what you learn from this class will be in proportion to what you put into it.

2. Exams (500 pts.) --
Four exams (50, 100, 150 and 200 pts. respectively). After the first exam, each subsequent exam will build on the preceding material. Each exam will be approximately 50% from old material and 50% new. (Feb 4, Mar 4, April 1, April 29)
As a general rule I will not give make up exams, so you had best make it to the test! If you know you will miss an exam you may take it early, but only under discussed and acceptable circumstances.

3. Mini-papers (120 pts.) -- two mini-papers, 60 pts. each
How to cite from webpages This comes to you via Dr. Smith's webpage - so thanks to him!
  • DUE February 25 and April 20. These papers are to use 3 and only 3 references each, at least two of which are to be published since 1995 and from professional journals or collected works. General topics will be assigned that will be in reference to the issues we are discussing in class, but how you specifically deal with the topic is your choice. Each paper is to be typed using one inch margins, It must also be proofread and corrected.
  • FORM -- Page 1 -- your name, title and date, triple space and then list the full references for each of your journal articles or books -- Pages 2, 3, 4 -- at the top of the page list the author and year published then summarize the article/book in no more than one page. DO NOT merely copy the abstract. Do this for each reference. -- Pages 5-8 -- now write a mini-term paper using the material from these references as your data, as well as the issues discussed in class or for readings assigned for class. Use in text referencing as appropriate. MAX is 4 pages. Do not simply repeat your summaries; synthesize, critique, generalize, etc. HINT: use only journals or collected works approved by me. Keep looking until you find three references that "fit" together; fit is critical as a paper will not be accepted if it is not relevant to sociological psychology or the assigned topic.

4. In-class discussion exercises (60 pts.) -- On various days throughout the semester, Jason Thompson, my graduate assistant, will lead class discussion. You will earn points for attendance on those days and for the activity he organizes.

5. Extra credit (20 pts. max) You may earn up to 20 pts. by completing at least 2 extra activities. Throughout the semester I will suggest various options.

6. Graduate students (100 pts.) Two additional book critiques and an expectation of more in-depth responses on the tests. Meet with me for a discussion of specifics.

GRADING

Final grades will be computed through a simple tally of points using the following scale:

680-625 A (92%)
624-564 B (83%)
563-503 C (74%)
502-442 D (65%)
<442 F

OFFICE/OFFICE HOURS:

109B Peck Hall 898-5910
TR 12:30 - 1:30
W 2:30-4:30

1417 E. Main 898-2125 (also FAX #)
M 8:15-11:45
TR 8:15-10:45
Other times by appointment

FLEXIBLE OUTLINE

1/7 Introductions

1/12 What is sociological psychology
Interpretative, humanist, historical materialist

1/14-19 Dialectic of self and society
    Readings
  • (1) "The Promise" - C. Wright Mills (handout) the social construction of society, analytical tools, and concepts
  • (2) "Everyday life and social reality," excerpt from The Social Construction of Reality by Peter Berger and Thomas Luckmann (handout)
  • (3) #2 - "Culture and human nature" --Geertz Notes
  • (4) #3 - "Islands of meaning" -- Zerubavel

1/21-28 The social construction of self Notes and questions
    Readings
  • (1) #4 - "The self as sentiment and reflection" -- Cooley
  • (2) #5 - "The self as social structure" -- Mead
  • (3) "Appearance and the self" -- Stone (handout)
  • (4) #6 - "Fashioning gender identity" -- Cahill
  • (5) #7 - "The recovering alcoholic self" -- Denzin

2/2 Discussion -- Review Questions
Jason Thompson

2/4 Exam 1 50 pts.

2/9-16 The social construction of subjective experience
    Readings
  • (1) Marx (handout)
  • (2) #8 - "The development of language and thought" -- Vgotsky notes
  • (3) #10 - "Emotion work and feeling rules" -- Hochschild (notes)
  • (4) #9 - "The social basis of drug-induced experience" -- Becker Notes and questions
  • (5) #11 - "Managing emotions in medical school" -- Smith and Kleinman Notes and questions
  • (6) "The social shaping of grief" -- Lofland (handout) Notes and questions

2/18-25 The self and social interaction
    Readings -- Notes and questions
  • (1) #12 - "The presentation of self" -- Goffman
  • (2) #13 - "The gloried self" -- Adler and Adler
  • (3) #14 - "Salvaging the self from homelessness" -- Snow and Anderson
  • (4) #15 - "Constructing transsexual selves" -- Mason-Schrock Notes and questions

19-20 Women and Power Conference

25 Mini-paper #1 due (five points per day deduction for late papers)

3/2 Discussion Jason Thompson

3/4 Exam 2 100 pts.

3/9-11 Social interaction and order
    Readings
  • (1) #16 - "Face-work and interaction rituals" -- Goffman Notes and questions
  • (2) "Deference and social relationships" -- Goffman (handout)

3/16-18 Spring Break

3/23-25
  • (3) "Emotions and the micropolitics of relationships" -- Clark (handout)
  • (4) #18 - "Wheelchair users" -- Cahill and Eggleston questions
  • (5) #19 - "The organization of conversation" -- Wardhaugh questions

3/30 - 4/1 Social interaction and relationships
    Readings
  • (1) #21 -"Uncoupling" -- Vaughn
  • (2) #20 - "The social structure of social relationships" -- Couch review
  • (3) #22 - "Sympathy biography and relations" -- Clark review

4/6 Discussion

4/8 Exam 3 150 pts.

4/13-15 The construction of social structures
    Readings
  • (1) #28 - "Society in action" -- Blumer
  • (2) #30 - "Sculpting the boundary between 'home' and 'work'" -- Nippert-Eng
  • (3) excerpt from Land of Idols -- Parenti
racism

4/20 Mini-paper #2 due

4/20-22 The politics of social reality
    Readings
  • (1) #32 - "Machineries of universe maintenance" -- Berger and Luckmann
  • (2) #35 - "The two realities of wife abuse" -- Loseke
  • (3) excerpt from Inventing Reality -- Parenti
  • (4) excerpt from Manufacturing Consent -- Chomsky

4/27 Discussion -- Jason Thompson
    Reading
  • (5) #36 - "The dissolution of the self" -- Gergen

4/29 Exam 3 (200 pts.) review 10:30-12:30