SOC 1500 05: Introduction to Sociology

SOC 1500 - Introduction to Sociology

Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 05, CRN 41155,

Credit hours: 3

Course Meeting Times

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Instructor

Susan D. Laird, LPCC-S, CDCA

Email: sdlaird@ysu.edu

Public Instructor Information

Instructor Title:Susan D Laird, BA, MSEd, LPCC-S, CDCA

Office: DeBartolo Hall, room 435

Instructor Professional Qualifications:

Master’s, Education, Youngstown State University
Bachelor’s, Sociology Youngstown State University

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor w/Supervisor designation, State of Ohio, 1997 to present

Chemical Dependence Counselor Assistant, State of Ohio, 2015 to present


Instructor Office Phone: 330-941-3442

Instructor Email: sdlaird@ysu.edu

Private Instructor Information

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Course Description

1500. Introduction to Sociology. An introduction to the science of human societies and groups: analysis of the structures, functions, and processes that bring about changes in societies, groups, communities, classes, and institutions. 3 s.h.

Course Readings

Group Title Author ISBN
Required Sociology in Our Times: The Essentials, 13e; Cengage, 2026. Kendall/Atkins
Required Essential Learning Concepts Study Guides Multiple Sources
Required Supplemental materials Multiple Sources

e-text: Kendall/Atkins: Sociology in Our Times: The Essentials, 13e; Cengage, 2026.

Essential Learning Concepts Study Guides: These will be posted to Blackboard each week

Additional handouts as needed for specific course topics 

The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.  

Additional Course Materials

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Course Learning Outcomes/Objectives/Goals

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How to Succeed in This Course

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Attendance Expectations

Class attendance adheres to the YSU Class Attendance Policy and the Religious Accommodations of Students Policy.

Rectangle: Rounded Corners: Click here for YSU Student Support Resources
Attendance Expectations

YSU policy on class attendance can be found here: YSU Class Attendance Policy along with the Religious Accommodations of Students Policy.

I will take attendance at each class. It is your responsibility to make sure you are marked present for class. Students arriving at class after their name has been called need to see me after class to ensure their attendance. Students who leave class without seeing me will be marked absent.

Students who habitually miss classes and whose absences are considered “unexcused” will be penalized as follows: for every 5 unexcused absences, a student’s final grade will be lowered by 1 letter grade regardless of the grade reflected on Blackboard. This is an in-person class. Completing work in Blackboard while not coming to class will significantly lower your grade.

“Excused Absences” include participation in YSU sponsored activities, death of an immediate family member, documented personal illness, and government-required activities. If you have an Excused Absence per YSU Guidelines, you need to give me a copy of the paper you are using as an excuse. Do not send it in an email, please hand it to me as soon as you return to class. If you are requesting to make-up an exam or quiz or want your absence to be considered “excused”, documentation must cover the day(s), date(s) and time(s) the Exam or Quiz was available to you. Medical excuses must be from an attending physician, clinic, hospital, or medical provider. I will confirm all excuses by contacting the attending professional prior to allowing a student access to an exam or quiz.

Missing classes for personal, family, work, lack of transportation, illness of a relative, or other life circumstances does not meet YSU’s policy threshold for reasons to miss class, exams, or quizzes. These are considered “unexcused absences.” If your absence is “unexcused” it is your responsibility to get the notes you have missed from another student.

Late Work Submission Policy

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Additional Course Expectations

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Artificial Intelligence Policy Statement

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Assignments/Assessments

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Grading and Grading Scale

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University Policies

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Schedule of Topics and Assignments

Week of Reading(s) Proposed Topic Due/To Prepare for Class
8/24 Essential Learning Concepts Study Guides in Blackboard
Supplemental materials posted in Blackboard
Syllabus
Introduction to class and the Field of Sociology
8/31 Essential Learning Concepts Study Guides in Blackboard
Supplemental materials posted in Blackboard
Chapter 1: Read sections 1-3 "Development of Sociological Thinking" through 1-5 " Contemporary Theoretical Perspectives." (P 9-19)
Social Research and Social Theory Syllabus Quiz due 09/06
Chapter 1 Quiz due 09/06
9/7 Essential Learning Concepts Study Guides in Blackboard
Supplemental materials posted in Blackboard
Chapter 3: Read sections 3-1 "Why is Socialization Important Around the Globe?" through 3-3 " Sociological Theories of Development" (p 67-77)
Social Research and Social Theory (Con't) Chapter 3 Quiz due 09/13
9/14 Essential Learning Concepts Study Guides in Blackboard
Supplemental materials posted to Blackboard
Chapter 2: Read "Core American Values" (p 45) through section 2-6 "Thinking Ahead: Culture, Social Change, and Your Future." (p 45-60)
Culture and the Culture of Poverty Chapter 2 Quiz due 09/20
9/21 Essential Learning Concepts Study Guides in Blackboard
Supplemental materials in Blackboard
Review all lecture and materials posted to Blackboard for Exam 1
Agents of Socialization Exam 1 due 09/25
9/28 Essential Learning Concepts Study Guides in Blackboard
Supplemental materials in Blackboard
Chapter 4: Read 4-3 "Societies, Technology and Sociocultural Change" through "The Sociology of Emotions" (p 106 - 117
Social Structure Chapter 4 Quiz due 10/04
10/5 Essential Learning Concepts Study Guides in Blackboard
Supplemental materials in Blackboard
Chapter 14: Read 14-3 "Healthcare in the United States" through "Holistic Medicine and Alternative Medicine" (p 430 -439) AND 14-6 "Disability" through 14-7 "Thinking Ahead: Healthcare and the Future." (p 446-448)
Social Group Process Chapter 14 Quiz due 10/11
10/12 Essential Learning Concepts Study Guides in Blackboard
Supplemental materials in Blackboard
Chapter 7: Read 7-1 "What is Social Stratification?" through 7-4 "Contemporary Sociological Models of the U.S. Social Class" (p 191 - 204)
Communities and Urban Development Chapter 7 Quiz due 10/18
10/19 Essential Learning Concepts Study Guides in Blackboard
Supplemental materials posted in Blackboard
Chapter 15: Read the entire chapter
Family and Human Trafficking Chapter 15 Quiz due 10/25
10/26 Essential Learning Concepts Study Guides in Blackboard
Supplemental materials posted in Blackboard
Review all lecture and materials posted to Blackboard for weeks 6 through 10 to prepare for Exam 2
Family and Human Trafficking Con't Exam 2 due 10/30
11/2 Essential Learning Concepts Study Guides in Blackboard
Supplemental materials posted in Blackboard
Chapter 16: Read entire Chapter
Social Deviance Theories Chapter 16 Quiz due 11/08
11/9 Essential Learning Concepts Study Guides in Blackboard
Supplemental materials posted to Blackboard
Chapter 13: Read entire chapter
Domestic Violence / Intimate Partner Violence Chapter 13 due 11/15
11/16 Essential Learning Concepts Study Guides in Blackboard
Supplemental materials posted to Blackboard
Chapter 12: Read 12-3
Education Chapter 12 due
11/23 Essential Learning Concepts Study Guides in Blackboard
Supplemental materials posted to Blackboard
Government
11/30 Essential Learning Concepts Study Guides in Blackboard
Supplemental materials posted to Blackboard
Review all lecture and materials posted to Blackboard for weeks11 through 15 to prepare for Exam 3
Government and Course wrap-up Exam 3 due 12/04

The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning. 

Additional Information

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