American International University-Bangladesh

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Sections: A-

COURSE OUTLINE:
Academic Term: Spring-2009
I. Course Code and Name: Basics in Social Sciences
II. Credit: 3 Unit
III. Day & Time: ST (M, G & K) (C7-9) MW (P & H)(C7-10)
IV. Course description:
This course covers the fundamental concept of social sciences—
particularly Sociology and its relation with other social science courses.
Being the core of social science discipline, this study of Sociology will
help the Business students attain further efficiency in understanding
the psychological, cultural, political, anthropological and economic
infrastructure of human societies both from national and global
perspective, and thus deal with the real life challenges in methodical
ways.

V. Course Objectives:
At the end of the course, the following objectives shall have been attained:

- an understanding of the key concepts in Social Science

- ability to use sociological concepts and theories in evaluating human
interaction and institutions
- understanding of the society as a whole both from national and
global perspective
- Knowledge of the basic steps in conducting social research

VI. Topics (Major and subtopics) to be covered

TOPICS Specific Objective(s) per Time Suggested Teaching
Topic Frame Activities Strategy(s)
The Social Definition, background and Week 1 Presentation, Student-oriented
Perspective subject matter of sociology. & Discussion, throughout the
Sociological Imagination. Brainstorming, semester:
Business and Social science, Movie show, Students are
Branches of social science. 2 Case analysis, expected to
The 3 major perspectives in Field work to do participate
social science: functionalism, practical research enthusiastically
conflict and symbolic and report in the classroom
interactionism. Basic concepts writing, group activities
of social science presentation by
the students etc.
TOPICS Specific Objective(s) per Time Suggested Teaching
Topic Frame Activities Strategy(s)
Social Institution Definitions & types of family & Week 3 Presentation, Student-oriented
( Family & marriage Discussion, throughout the
Marriage, Functions of family. Society Brainstorming, semester:
Religion, with and without family. Movie show, Students are
Family structure in Bangladesh. Case analysis, expected to
politics)
Marriage system in Bangladesh. Field work to do participate
practical research enthusiastically
and report in the classroom
Social Structure What is social structure? Week 5 writing, group activities
& Characteristics of social & presentation by
Socia stratification, Social mobility the students etc.
l and inequality. Social mobility
in open and closed system of 6
Strat
stratification.
ificat
ion
Culture & Society The concept of culture; Week 6
elements & cultural diversity.
Types of pre-modern and
modern societies (with
reference to industrialized &
third world societies)
Socialization Personality: three components Week 7
of personality, theories of
socialization
8th
week MID TERM E X A M I N A T I O N
Social Max Weber and social action, Week 8 & Presentation, Student-oriented
Interaction Mead and Self, Principles of 9 Discussion, throughout the
social interaction, Ethno Brainstorming, semester:
methodology, Dramaturgical Movie show, Students are
approach Case analysis, expected to
Population Demography and its Week 9 Field work to do participate
components. Population growth & practical research enthusiastically
and demographic transition. and report in the classroom
Population control and third writing, group activities
world 1 presentation by
0 the students etc.
Social Research Definition of social research;
Scope and areas of social Week
research. Types & Methods of
1
social research, sampling
procedure, data analysis, field 1
work & report preparation
&

1
2
Definition of Deviance,
Deviance and Misconception of Deviance, Week
Crime Functions and dysfunctions of 1
deviance, theories of Deviance.
3

Gender and Gender identity &inequality, Week

Development gender roles & culture, social
policy & gender stratification,
women as the oppressed
majority.
 TOPICS Specific Objective(s) per Time Suggested Teaching
Topic Frame Activities Strategy(s)
Research report -Develop report writing skill Week Presentation, Student-oriented
finali -Develop communication skill Discussion, throughout the
zatio Brainstorming, semester:
n& Movie show, Students are
modif Case analysis, expected to
icatio Field work to do participate
ns practical research enthusiastically
Presentation and report in the classroom
writing, group activities
presentation by
the students etc.
16th week FINAL EXAMINATION
VII. Course Requirements
Class attendance: At least 80%. Failure to do so will bring an automatic UW.
Class performance: Student-centered. Each student has to participate on a
regular basis.
Assignments & Research Report: Must be submitted within stipulated time
frame. No late submissions will be entertained.
Quizzes: Will be written. No make-up will be taken for missed quizzes without
valid reasons.

VIII – Evaluation
Mid Term
I. Evaluate Final
Attendance : 10 Attendance : 10
Class attitude & participation : 10 Participation : 05
Quizzes& Assignment : 30 Quizzes : 20
Examination : 50 Research report : 15
II. Text books/References: Examination : 50
TOTAL : 100
Required readings: TOTAL : 100
IX – Textbook/ Reference
• Giddens, A. (2001) Sociology (4th ed.). Oxford: Blackwell Publishers.
• Giddens, A & Duneier (2000). Introduction to Sociology. New Jersey:
Prentice-Hall.
• Tischler, H. L. (1996) Introduction to Sociology. New York: The Harcourt
Press.
• Schaefer, R. T. (2003) Sociology (10th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
• Fletcher, R. (1981) Sociology. Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group.
• Bassis, M.S., Gelles, R. J. & Levine, A. (2002). Sociology: An Introduction.
New York: McGraw-Hil.
• All kinds of lecture sheets and materials given by the course teacher.
• www.google.com for searching and downloading all kinds of news and articles on
the issues given in the syllabus.
• Articles in News paper, Magazine and journal with relevant/contemporary social
issues /problems

Special instructions/information for the students:

• Switch off the mobile phones during class time
• Lecture sheets are supplementary, go through the books elaborately
• Request for any kinds of undue favor will be considered negatively
• Absence in more than 6 classes will automatically be considered as grade F
Prepared by : Dr.Buddha Dev Biswas
Shaira Matin
Farhana Zaman