Sociology of Groups - Syllabus

Sociologyindex, Books on Sociology of Groups, Abstracts, Bibliography, Syllabus, Journals, Sociology Books 2011

Syllabus - Oregon State University

Introduction to Sociology - Professor Daddio
Sociology studies human social interaction and the structure of groups

Groups and Organizations
Brown University - Syllabus - Professor Brooke Harrington
This course surveys the role of groups in organizations. This is a core area of knowledge in organization theory, but it also crosses disciplinary boundaries. Groups are an object of intense study not only for sociologists, but for social psychologists, and scholars working on gender and other forms of demographic diversity. As social beings, we all are immersed in group settings, at school, in the family, and at work. While the course focuses primarily on the literature of organizations, it will also develop skills in analyzing and writing about groups in many different settings.
Readings: The course has a heavy reading load, ranging from 200 to 300 pages per week. The required books for this course are available for purchase in the Brown Bookstore, and most are also on reserve at Rockefeller Library. The course reader is available at Jo-Art. Since the course is so reading-intensive, buying the books and reader are highly recommended.

Syllabus - Oregon State University
COURSE DESCRIPTION: The social group is one of the basic units of analysis in sociology. Surgical teams, families, combat units, living groups, and sport teams are examples of this most pervasive form of social organization. The small group is respectively comprised of individuals, of selves, and in turn comprises larger organizations. It is within this most fundamental form of social interatcion that mind, self, and society, what we know, who we are, and the social worlds in which we live, find their origins and forms. What are the dynamics of small groups? How are individuals influenced by, and in turn, how do they reciprocally influence group process? Those are the essential questions of this course and its continuation-sequel "Applied Group Dynamics." While these courses are differentiated in catalogue listings they are intended as compliments to each other. Both are necessary to cover the several forms of group interaction, both simultaneously consider group interaction principles, research methods, and applications. It is strongly recommended that students plan on taking these as a sequence.

Introduction and course expectations. Definitions and theoretical perspectives. Group myths and realities. The contexts of group life: social change, modernity, and rationalization.
Discovery’ of group influence: The Hawthorne Experiments. The power of groups. Robber’s Cave to Lord of the Flies. Lord of the Flies (video, in-class, time permitting).
The self as social object; objects as social constructions.
Read: Goffman, Mead, Mehan and Wood. T.S.T.
Perception, attribution and social construction of reality. Projective techniques.
Read: Rosenhan. Draw-a-Map. Copy Machine Rumor.
Non-verbal communication. “Communication the Non-verbal Agenda” (30 min.).
Understanding Others. Different Dyads.
Territoriality. "Social Life of Small Urban Spaces" (Soc. 50 min.).
Ch. 12. In the Diplomatic Corps. Space management.
Attitude change through communication. Dissonance.
Read: Chs. 7, 8, 11, 14, 15; Festinger.
Forms of social influence in groups and organizations: facilitation, conformity, compliance, obedience. "Night and Fog" (Humanities Devel. 1955 30 min.).
Read: Chs. 6, 17. Simulation Survival Exercise.
Group and organizational structure and communication patterns.
Read: Chs. 10, 16; Weber, Merton. Group Composition and Problem Solving.
Leadership. “Leadership: Style or Circumstance” (27 min.).
Fly 'Um High.
Analyzing group communications and structure.
Ch. 9. Bales IPA.
Sociometrics. Sociometric Analysis.
Communication patterns in groups and organizations. Information and group structure.

SOCI 001-05 Introduction to Sociology Professor Daddio

Sociology studies human social interaction and the structure of groups. Sociologists examine systematically the ways people behave and arrange themselves in groups, and why they behave and organize the ways they do. Introduction to Sociology is an entry-level course that examines the basic concepts, theories, applications, and issues of the field of sociology. Using an applied sociology approach, various theories of sociology are used to explain particular social human behavior in practical social settings. You should learn how sociology theory is used to explain a variety of social behaviors, and will understand another perspective with which to examine common social phenomena. You should learn about this discipline from an academic standpoint as well as from the practical perspective that you can use throughout your career.

As a background to Introduction of Sociology, you are aware that people normally form groups where they interact with each other, and those groups have some social organization which sociologists call social structure. People act differently when they are in a group than when they are alone, so the group behavior is unique. That behavior is also repetitive - people from the same background tend to do the same thing in the same situation. We tend to take the behavior and structure for granted, since we are part of the group, but our perspective is clouded by what we have been taught to believe. By systematically observing and analyzing both the group interactions and the group structures, sociologists can describe, explain, and interpret the group behavior patterns, and explain the influences of the social structure on that behavior.

Stereotypes as Explanations : The Formation of Meaningful Beliefs about Social Groups

Social Groups in Action and Interaction

Groups Teams and Social Interaction: Theories and Applications

Making Societies : The Historical Construction of Our World

From Prejudice to Intergroup Emotions: Differentiated Reactions to Social Groups

Books, E-Books Great Discounts