STRAYER UNIVERSITY

ARLINGTON CAMPUS

Sociology of Developing Countries - - SOC 300

Course Syllabus 

Quarter: Fall Quarter 2001

Day(s) & Time course meets: Thursdays 6 p.m. - 9: 45 p.m.                                        

Instructor: Idil P. Izmirli

Instructor’s e-mail: Noyan@aol.com 

I. COURSE DESCRIPTION: 

This course analyzes the main cultural strata in selected societies of the Third World. It emphasizes their unique historical background and development, their traditional ethos, national characteristics, family structures and religious beliefs, as well as their political, economic, and foreign policy views. 

II.   COURSE OBJECTIVES   

Upon the successful completion of this course, the student will:

·        have knowledge of concepts and issues currently found in the areas of third world studies and developmental sociology; and

·        be able to define sociological terms pertinent third world studies and development, including; structural approach, modernization theory, cultural diffusion,

·        colonization, structural adjustment programs, population control, international debt, social stratification, foreign aid, and human rights.  

III. INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS:  

Handelman, Howard. The Challenge of Third World Development.

New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2000. 

Griffith, Robert J. Developing World, 01/02

Connecticut: McGraw-Hill, 2001 

IV: TEACHING STRATEGIES:  

The course will be conducted with a series of lectures, student group presentations, in-class group discussions, written homework assignments, and voluntary oral reports based on the reading assignments. The course will be elicitive in nature and will encourage critical thinking through interactive learning process. Audiovisual materials, and other supplemental materials presented by the instructor. 

·        The In-class mid-term exam: November 1, 2001-Thursday.

There is no make-up exam unless the student has a valid excuse that can officially be documented. In any case, delays will cause a reduction in the grade.  

·        Final exams (Final exam will be a take-home exam) are due on

     December 20, 2001 - Thursday.

     This means final exams are due on the final day of the classes.

       There will be absolutely no make up for the final exam.  

V.    COURSE OUTLINE:  

Date                                  Material Covered 

Week 1                           Introductions & Course review

September 27, 2001         

Week 2                          Chapter 1 - Understanding Underdevelopment (Handelman, H.)

October 4, 2001             -Article 1 “Life is Unfair;”

-Article 2 “A Decade to Eradicate Poverty,” in Griffiths, pp.8-23. 

Week 3                           Chapter 2 - Religion and Politics (Handelman, H.)

 October 11, 2001             -Article 17 “Political Islam and Violence” in Griffiths,

                                          pp.100-107.                      

Week 4                          Chapter 3 - The Politics of Cultural Pluralism (Handelman, H.)

October 18, 2001           -Article 16 “The Future of Civil Conflict” in Griffiths, pp.92-100

                                       -Article 5 “Universal Truths” in Griffiths, pp.37-40. 

Week 5                          Chapter 4 - Women and Development (Handelman, H.)

October 25                     -Article 37 “Women in Poverty” pp.200-208.

                                       -Article 38 “Educating Girls” pp. 208-210.

                                       -Article 39 “Middle Eastern Women” pp.210-216.

                                       -Article 40 “Women in Latin America” pp.200-220. 

                                                    All articles are in Griffiths 

Week 6                           MIDTERM EXAM

November 1, 2001          In-class exam, closed book.                                         

Week 7                          Chapter 6- Rapid Urbanization (Handelman, H.)

November 8, 2001         -Article 28 “No Vacancy” in Griffiths, pp.148-151

                                       -Article 29 “Life Support Fails” in Griffiths, pp.152-153

                                       -Article 31 “A New Economy” in Griffiths, pp.160-166

                                       -Article 33 “Nor Any Drop to Drink” in Griffiths, pp.176-179 

Week 8                          Chapter 7 - Revolutionary Change (Handelman, H.)

November 15, 2001        -Article 22 “The Decline of Illiberal Democracy,” pp.120-128;

    -Article 19 “Post-Imperial Africa at War” pp.109-114; and

    -Article 25 “Iran’s New Revolution” pp.136-140 in Griffiths

Week 9

November 22, 2001       Thanksgiving - - NO CLASS!! 

Week 10                             Chapter 8- Soldiers and Politics (Handelman, H.)

 November 29, 2001      Chapter 10 – Democratic Change (Handelman, H.)  

Week 11                         -Article 6 “Managing Inequality” pp.42-47

 December 6, 2001          -Article 7 “The Blessings and Challenges” pp.47-56

                                        -Article 9 “The IMF: A Cure or a Curse?” pp.60-68

 -Article 10 “The WTO 101” pp.68-72

                                                  All articles in Griffiths  

Week 12                        -Article 11 “Multinational Corporations” pp. 72-78

December 13, 2001        -Article 14 “Aid for Aids” pp.84-86

                                       -Article 35 “Helping the World’s Poorest” pp. 184-188

                                       -Article 36 “Can Biotechnology end hunger?” pp.188-198

                                                            All articles in Griffiths

 

Week 13         FINAL EXAMS ARE DUE  

December 20, 2001 

VI. COURSE REQUIREMENTS: 

1.     Mid-term examination

2.     Final Examination

3.     Group presentations (oral), where you will be graded individually

4.     Completion of all written and oral assignments (reports)

5.     Active class participation

6.     Regular class attendance  

VII. EVALUATION METHODS:

Final Grade:  

Oral group presentations                             - - - - 25 %

Mid-term exam                                            - - - - 30 %

Final Exam                                                   - - - - 35 %

Class Attendance & class participation        - - - - 10 %

Total:                                                                     100 % 

Grading Scale:

90 - 100                  A

80 - 89                    B

70-79                      C

60 - 69                    D

Below 60                 F 

·        According to the attendance policy of Strayer University, a student who misses four consecutively scheduled classes, excluding emergency closings and holidays, is subject to administrative withdrawal from that course. 

·        According to the university policy, students who are more than an hour late, or who leave after the break will be marked as Absent. 

·        In case of cheating or plagiarism, students will receive an automatic F.