Steeleville High School -Sociology

Prerequisites:             Open to 12^th grade students
Level:                         12^th grade
Credits:                       1.0

Course Description

Sociology is an elective for seniors. The class is taught in a circle and discussion is the main form of instruction. All topics are discussed openly. Occasionally, due to the increased numbers in the class, the students now write for a while to help formalize their opinions and thinking process before the actual discussion begins. This is done to help stem the tide of peer pressure, which can influence the course of a discussion.

The sociology class begins with the individual and progresses through the stages of human interaction and how man acts and reacts to the group.

Course Outline

The “Book of Me”
Childhood
Adolescence
Culture( Cultural influences on human development)
Communication (the impact of language on human development)
Roles, Relationships and Stereotypes
Social Institutions (Family, Education, Religion, Government, Economics)

Teaching Methods

The class is taught through:

Discussion

1. Students are encouraged to discuss a wide range of topics relating to man and his interaction with others. The teen years are a major topic.

Projects

1. The “Book of Me.” We begin the class with a major project called “The Book of Me.” In this book the students do special pages relating to their likes, dislikes, goals, fears, wants, favorite things, favorite places, favorite people, disliked things, disliked people, view of the world and view of life. We operate from the famous saying of Socrates that all knowledge stems from the principle of KNOW THYSELF. This project is worth 200 points.

2. During the Communication Unit the students do a project showing how various propaganda techniques are used to sell products. They also create several international symbols and find examples of written propaganda.

Presentations

1. During their culture studies the students divide into groups and make an in depth study of a unique culture or subculture. Among those they can choose from are: Amish, Afghanistan groups (Pashtun, Uzbec, Tajik), Beduoin, Eskimo, Navajo, Pygmy, Tlingit, Yanamamo. They may make a film, do an oral presentation or create a presentation method of their own. All presentations must include all items on a list given to the students and a bulletin board must accompany their presentation. (250 points)

Role playing and charades

Films

1. AT PLAY IN THE FIELDS OF THE LORD (Culture unit)

2. SHALL WE DANCE (Japanese film: Culture unit)

3. OCTOBER SKY: (Adolescence unit)

4. BILLY ELLIOT: (Adolescence unit)

Map Work

1. Maps are part of the Culture Unit.

Special Reading Assignments

1. Each unit has a special booklet compiled by the teacher filled with current articles relating to each of the topics covered. These readings are used to enhance the chapters in the Sociology textbook.

2. The students are encouraged to bring in readings relating to the topics we discuss so their readings may be added to the booklets.

3. The students read the book, Body Language, part of the Communication Unit.

Writing Assignments

1. The students do many writing assignments relating to their opinions on a variety of topics. Not all students are comfortable with discussion and this is a way to give all students a chance to express themselves.

2. Students turn in a paper with the Culture Study.

Analytical Studies

1. The students do a study of children’s literature looking for sexual, occupational, racial and religious stereotypes.

2. Students do a study of the top ten songs from 1900 to today to study the main interests of the differing decades and to draw conclusions of commonality.

Incorporation of other disciplines

1. Students use math in some of the analytical studies.

2. Charts and graphs are used.

3. Students do many writing assignments.

4. Students will use available technology to create their projects and presentations.



SHS Home	Sociology	Courses Home
Prerequisites: Open to 12^th grade students Level: 12^th grade Credits: 1.0 Course Description Sociology is an elective for seniors. The class is taught in a circle and discussion is the main form of instruction. All topics are discussed openly. Occasionally, due to the increased numbers in the class, the students now write for a while to help formalize their opinions and thinking process before the actual discussion begins. This is done to help stem the tide of peer pressure, which can influence the course of a discussion. The sociology class begins with the individual and progresses through the stages of human interaction and how man acts and reacts to the group. Course Outline The “Book of Me” Childhood Adolescence Culture( Cultural influences on human development) Communication (the impact of language on human development) Roles, Relationships and Stereotypes Social Institutions (Family, Education, Religion, Government, Economics) Teaching Methods The class is taught through: Discussion 1. Students are encouraged to discuss a wide range of topics relating to man and his interaction with others. The teen years are a major topic. Projects 1. The “Book of Me.” We begin the class with a major project called “The Book of Me.” In this book the students do special pages relating to their likes, dislikes, goals, fears, wants, favorite things, favorite places, favorite people, disliked things, disliked people, view of the world and view of life. We operate from the famous saying of Socrates that all knowledge stems from the principle of KNOW THYSELF. This project is worth 200 points. 2. During the Communication Unit the students do a project showing how various propaganda techniques are used to sell products. They also create several international symbols and find examples of written propaganda. Presentations 1. During their culture studies the students divide into groups and make an in depth study of a unique culture or subculture. Among those they can choose from are: Amish, Afghanistan groups (Pashtun, Uzbec, Tajik), Beduoin, Eskimo, Navajo, Pygmy, Tlingit, Yanamamo. They may make a film, do an oral presentation or create a presentation method of their own. All presentations must include all items on a list given to the students and a bulletin board must accompany their presentation. (250 points) Role playing and charades Films 1. AT PLAY IN THE FIELDS OF THE LORD (Culture unit) 2. SHALL WE DANCE (Japanese film: Culture unit) 3. OCTOBER SKY: (Adolescence unit) 4. BILLY ELLIOT: (Adolescence unit) Map Work 1. Maps are part of the Culture Unit. Special Reading Assignments 1. Each unit has a special booklet compiled by the teacher filled with current articles relating to each of the topics covered. These readings are used to enhance the chapters in the Sociology textbook. 2. The students are encouraged to bring in readings relating to the topics we discuss so their readings may be added to the booklets. 3. The students read the book, Body Language, part of the Communication Unit. Writing Assignments 1. The students do many writing assignments relating to their opinions on a variety of topics. Not all students are comfortable with discussion and this is a way to give all students a chance to express themselves. 2. Students turn in a paper with the Culture Study. Analytical Studies 1. The students do a study of children’s literature looking for sexual, occupational, racial and religious stereotypes. 2. Students do a study of the top ten songs from 1900 to today to study the main interests of the differing decades and to draw conclusions of commonality. Incorporation of other disciplines 1. Students use math in some of the analytical studies. 2. Charts and graphs are used. 3. Students do many writing assignments. 4. Students will use available technology to create their projects and presentations.