Sociology 134

Sections 20-21, Fall 2009

 

Welcome to Sociology 134!

How many times have you asked yourself:

• What’s wrong with a guy trying on women’s underwear?
• Why shouldn’t I name my first born child “Cluck”?
• Why don’t we eat insects? 
• What ever happened to Schlitz beer?

To answer these and more serious questions like “What’s happening to the jobs in the United States today?” or “Why is violent crime declining?” requires you to think sociologically.  In this course you will be introduced to the sociological way of thinking.  At the core of the sociological perspective is the view that social reality is more than, and quasi independent from, the individuals who make it up.  Thus, you have probably never personally researched the food value of insects and decided they were unworthy food items.  Yet, I’m sure you don’t eat them regularly.  Why not?  How did you learn what is proper to eat and what isn’t?  And why do we all have such a strong reaction to the mere thought of eating insects?  We cannot understand our “personal choice” not to eat insects without considering American culture and our socialization into it.  In the same way, we cannot understand patterns in criminal behavior, changes in the family, or economic restructuring by focusing on individuals in isolation.  In combination with scientific research, the sociological perspective is key to understanding historical trends and current social reality, and to finding solutions for social problems.

 

Dr. Terry Besser
204 East Hall, 294-6508
tbesser@iastate.edu
Office hours: 11 to 12 Tuesday, 1 to 3 Wednesday and by appointment

 

Teaching Assistants:
Isaac Christiansen, isaacc@iastate.edu
Office hours: Tuesdays, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Midterm Grades

Emily Hachmeister, emhack@iastate.edu
Office hours: Mondays, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m., Room 419
Midterm Grades

Jeannice Louine, jllouine@iastate.edu
Office hours: Wednesdays, 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Midterm Grades

Matt Moore, mdmoore@iastate.edu
Office hours: Monday 9:00 - 11:00 a.m., Wednesday 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Midterm Grades

Academic Success Center

Students in Soc 134 are encouraged to use the resources at the Academic
Success Center. The Academic Success Center (ASC) is a collection of services
and programs designed to help you reach your academic goals.

They offer individualized and small group experiences, course-specific and
general academic assistance, and even credit and non-credit programs.

It's up to you to choose and use resources which can help you strengthen your
learning in your courses to earn the grades you want!