SCHOOL: Academy Charter High School

TEACHER: Kaitlyn Korda

SUBJECT: Behavioral Studies

GRADE: 11/12

DATE: 8/31/2010

UNIT
TIMEFRAME

THEME /TOPIC

MAJOR WRITING / PROJECTS

KEY TEXTS / RESOURCES

1:

The Sociological
Perspective

Writing Assignments

Essay: How has sociology impacted life in North

America? Identify and explain three significant
advancements in sociology in our country. Students
should write 5 paragraphs and be sure to cite the
pages in the text that correspond with their arguments.

Text:
Sociology: A Down to Earth Approach
Atlas of the World(North America)
Introducing Sociology by Richard Osborne and
Borin Van Loon

Projects
Nursery Rhymes Rewrite: Students will be accepting
the perspective of one of the subjects covered in the
social sciences. Students should first read their
nursery rhyme as a group in order to make sure
everyone is familiar with the story.
Each social science has an assigned nursery
rhyme:
o Star Light Star Bright: Psychologist
o London Bridge is Falling Down:
Historian
o What are Little Girls/Boys made of?:
Anthropologist
o Old Mother Hubbard: Economist
o Over the River: Geographer
o Humpty Dumpty: Sociologist
Each group will rewrite the story in at least 300
words. Students should not only be aiming at
explaining the story from their particular
perspective but also modernizing it: For
instance, in Humpty Dumpty maybe all the
kings horses and all the kings men refer to the
paramedics of a town called Kings that tried to
put humpty back together again in their
ambulance. Students should type the story up in
complete paragraphs, times new roman font,
size 12.
Students will recite their stories for the class and
will be evaluated on not only maintaining the
heart of the nursery rhyme but also their
perspective and ability to modernize the tale.

Internet Sources:
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/Rhymes.html
(Nursery Rhymes)

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
What is the sociological
perspective?
What is science and where
does sociology fit into its
definition?
When did sociology first
appear as a separate
discipline?
Should the purpose of social
research be only to advance
human understanding or also
to reform society?
How do sociologists use
verstehen and social facts to
study human behavior?
What was the position of
women in early sociology?
When were the first academic
departments of sociology
established in the U.S.?
How do basic (or pure) and
applied sociology differ?
What is a theory?
What are sociologys major
theoretical perspectives?
How have and will trends
impact the course of
sociology?

SCHOOL: Academy Charter High School

2:

Culture

TEACHER: Kaitlyn Korda

SUBJECT: Behavioral Studies

Writing Assignments
Mara Salvatrucha Essay: Students will
sociologically analyze the gang after viewing a
documentary entitled, The Worlds Most Dangerous
Gang. Students should concentrate on the
gestures, languages, and symbols of the gang and
should bring in specific examples from the video.
Projects
Culture and Source Reliability Project
(In Pairs) Material and Nonmaterial Culture Power
Point Presentation (Part 1):
Students will create a Power Point that
describes and provides specific examples of
nonmaterial and material culture for one of
the following cultures, counter cultures, or
subcultures: China, Iran, Ethiopia, North
Korea, Japan, Mexico, Amish, India, Brazil,
Cuba, Fundamentalist Church of Latter Day
Saints (FLDS), Free Masons, Sierra Leone,
Irish Republican Army (IRA), and the
Communist Party of the United States.
Students must have at least 5 slides in
their presentation and including at least 5
pictures that relate to the material in the
presentation.
Students must obtain the information for
their presentation from at least 4 different
internet sources, including where they
obtained pictures from.

(Individual)Part 2:
a. Students will create a works cited page using
easybib.com that lists where they obtained all
their information for their power point
presentation. This works cited page will be
attached to the essay described below.
b. Essay: In a 4 paragraph essay, students will
analyze the credibility of the source. Students
will explain why a cultures own material or
nonmaterial culture might consciously or
unconsciously distort the information it provides
regarding itself. Students should reference each

GRADE: 11/12

DATE: 8/31/2010

Text:
Sociology: A Down to Earth Approach
Atlas of the World: Central America
Introducing Sociology by Richard Osborne and
Borin Van Loon

Supplemental Readings:
Doos and Taboos of the World
News Articles:
MORE EXPLAINING TO DO IS THROWING
A GANG SIGN EVER JUST A JOKE? (from Tom
Diaz at the Word Press blog)
Videos:
Worlds Most Dangerous Gang
Taboo: Body Perfect
30 Days: Binge Drinking

What is culture?
How do people evaluate other
cultures using ethnocentrism
and cultural relativism?
What are the components of
nonmaterial culture?
Why is language so significant
to culture?
How do norms, values,
sanctions, folkways, and mores
reflect culture?
How do subcultures and
countercultures differ?
What are the core U.S. values?
Do cultural universals exist?

Internet Sources:
www.easybib.com

SCHOOL: Academy Charter High School

TEACHER: Kaitlyn Korda

SUBJECT: Behavioral Studies

GRADE: 11/12

DATE: 8/31/2010

source in their essay at least once.

3:

Socialization

Writing Assignments
Critique Essay: Students will view two movies on
feral children, The Jungle Book and Is it Real? Feral
Children, in order to critique the Disney portrayal of
these unique children. Students will decide on the
accuracies and inaccuracies and make suggestions
on how the children should be portrayed.
Projects
Baby X: Students will read the story of an unsocialized child who does not know their gender.
Students will depict their visualization of the child on a
Cookie Cutter template.
Gender Socialization Project: Students will find a
song, movie clip, or music video in which gender roles
are depicted in a modern way. Students will write a
2-3 paragraph analysis of their piece and present it to
the class with at least 3 thought provoking discussion
questions.
o Part A, Clip Collection: Students will peruse
their personal inventory of music, movies,
or music videos. Students should aim to
find a radio edit or PG-13 clip to present
to the class. Clips should be no longer than
5 minutes. Students will submit their clip for
approval by the teacher 3 days prior to
presentation day.
o Part B, Written Justificatin and Questions:
How does your song, movie clip, or music
video reinforce gender socialization?
Students will write a 2-3 paragraph
justification of this question with specific
references to the clips. For instance, what
does the song say about women? What
are the men wearing in the video? Which
gender is doing what in the video?
o Part C, Presentation:

Students will, using computers,
iPods, or DVD player and TV,

Text:
Sociology: A Down to Earth Approach
Atlas of the World: South America
Introducing Sociology by Richard Osborne and
Borin Van Loon
News Articles:
The Girl in the Window
Youth Torn Between Gangs and Government
Violence in Rio de Janeiro: Child Soldiers in the
Drug Wars
Art that Makes the Ordinary Extraordinary
Short Story:
Baby X
Video:
The Hulk (Edward Norton version)
Internet Resources:
http://www.macalester.edu/courses/geog61/chad
/thefavel.htm - A background on favelas
http://www.favelatour.com.br/indexing.html
(Favela Tourism)
http://www.favelapainting.com/favela-painting
(Original Favela Painting Source)

What is Human Nature?

How much of our human
characteristics come from
nature and how much come
from nurture?
How do we acquire self?
How do children develop
reasoning skills?
How do sociologists evaluate
Freuds psychoanalytic theory
of personality development?
How do people develop
morality?
How does socialization
influence emotions?
How does gender socialization
affect our sense of self?
What are the main agents of
socialization?
What is resocialization?
Does socialization end when
we enter adulthood?
Are we prisoners of
socialization?

SCHOOL: Academy Charter High School

TEACHER: Kaitlyn Korda

SUBJECT: Behavioral Studies

GRADE: 11/12

DATE: 8/31/2010

show the clip to the class.

Introduction: What are we going
to see or hear in the clip? If it is a
movie, do we need to know about
any prior information about any of
the characters or the singer?

Discussion: Students should, on
a Power Point slide, have their 3
thought provoking (critical thinking
questions). Students should aim
for the How and Why questions or
questions that do not have just
one answer. The point is to
discuss the content of your clip or
song and how it socializes one
into gender.
Project Paint the Town: Based on what students
have learned about favelas and the project Favela
Painting, students will design a program that paints a
section of their hometown in order to bring beauty to
the area. After naming their projects students must
complete the following:
o Location: Students must have pictures and
have a 2 paragraph justification of why they
chose the area they did and explain how
the area will be benefitted from the artistry.
o Artist Creation: Students must sketch a
design for their location and provide a 2
paragraph justification of their creation.
o Fundraiser Program: Students must
organize a type of fundraiser to gain not
only money but pride in the project for the
community. Students must also write a five
paragraph letter to the community
explaining why this project is important to it
and why beautifying the community is a
necessary step to bringing back the former
grandeur to the area.

4:

Social Structure and

Social Interaction

Writing Assignments
Case Study Essay: Students will sociologically
analyze the social structure and social institutions in

Text:
Sociology: A Down to Earth Approach
Atlas of the World: Europe

What two levels of

sociological analysis do
sociologists use?

SCHOOL: Academy Charter High School

TEACHER: Kaitlyn Korda

SUBJECT: Behavioral Studies

Srebrenica, Bosnia. Their analysis should reflect on

the course of the massacre in this area and how
social structure and institutions excluded them and
lead to their demise. Essays should be four
paragraphs each including and introduction, body,
and conclusion.
Projects
Wanted Poster: Students should choose a stereotype
and design a wanted poster that accurately displays
and identifies it. Students are encouraged to either
draw or utilize magazines to accurately depict the
stereotype. Students should also write a 2 paragraph
explanation on what the stereotype is, how it is
wrong, and how they chose to visualize it on their
poster.
Status Bulletin Board: Students will create a class
bulletin board that reflects on the status symbols of
everyone in the class in a one hour time period. The
class will be organized into several teams to get the
bulletin board completed in a class period:
o (A) Designers: Responsibilities include
deciding how the bulletin board should look
and any labels of symbols that need to be
created.
o (B) Takers: Taking pictures around the
classroom of actual status symbols of
classmates.
o (C) Gatherers: Compile all pictures and find
any internet pictures that are necessary to
complete and cover the bulletin board.
o (D) Assemblers: Will cut out pictures and
help complete the designers visions on
the bulletin boards.
o Team Leaders: to make sure all the tasks
are getting completed, delegate, and/or aid
anywhere that needs be.
o Students will be responsible for evaluating
themselves and their group on a group
evaluation form.

GRADE: 11/12

DATE: 8/31/2010

Introducing Sociology by Richard Osborne and

Borin Van Loon
News Articles:
BBC News Article: What is a War Crime?
Srebrenica as both a warning and reconciliation
by Hajrudin Somun (former ambassador of
Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Internet Sources:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/03/06/60m
inutes/main4848039.shtml (Eyewitness: How
Accurate is Visual Memory)
http://srebrenica-genocide.blogspot.com/
(Srebrenica Blog)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Id4wtBJHMdU
(Srebrenica Genocide Part 1 and 2)

How does social structure

influence our behavior?
What are the social
institutions and how do they
hold society together?
What is the focus of
symbolic interactionism?
How do stereotypes affect
social interaction?
Do all human groups share
a similar sense of personal
space?
What is dramaturgy?
What is the social
construction of reality?
Why are both levels of
analysis necessary?

5:

Deviance

Projects/Writing Assignments

What is deviance?

Text:

SCHOOL: Academy Charter High School

TEACHER: Kaitlyn Korda

SUBJECT: Behavioral Studies

Deviance Portfolio: Students will be creating a

portfolio on a general deviance topic in order to
analyze the medias portrayal of it in the news.
Students will divide their portfolio into the follow
areas:
1. Topic Description: Students in 2 paragraphs will
describe the general deviance topic they choose
and why.
2. News Media Sources: Students will print out any
pictures or stories and summarize each in a one
paragraph description explaining how this media
source portrays their deviance topic. Students
who have videos to include, should identify the
web address and summarize the video in a
paragraph below it.
3. Analysis Paper: Students will write a 1-2 page
paper that analyzes the portrayal of their deviant
topic in the news. What are some aspects many
of the stories have in common with each other?
Were there a lot of current news stories to
choose from?
4. Works Cited Page
Deviance in Asia Presentation: Students will have
investigated what deviance means in different
countries in Asia in their WebQuests. Students will
prepare a visual presentation for the information they
have procured. Students must reflect on what makes
deviance in the country they researched different from
America.
o Glogster: Presentations serve as an
interactive internet poster. Information can
be displayed in a multitude of ways but
must have at least 6 pictures and one video
present. Glogster Uploads must be
presented to the class in an organized and
prepared fashion.
o Power Point: Presentations should be 6 or
more slides and should have pictures that
relate to information on the slides for each.
Students Power Points must be presented
to the class in an organized and prepared
fashion.
o Oral Presentation: Students will be

GRADE: 11/12

DATE: 8/31/2010

Sociology: A Down to Earth Approach

Atlas of the World: Asia
Introducing Sociology by Richard Osborne and
Borin Van Loon
Supplemental Readings:
Doos and Taboos of the World
Videos:
30 Days: In Jail
Internet Sources:
http://nortonbooks.typepad.com/everydaysociolo
gy/trends/ (Sociology Blog)
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/29613192 (Teen
Sexting Critique)
http://wps.ablongman.com/ab_henslin_sociology
_8/ (Textbook companion website)
http://edu.glogster.com/ (Glogster for Educators)

How do sociologists
and individualistic
explanations differ?
How do symbolic
interactionists explain
deviance?
How do functionalists
explain deviance?
How do conflict
theorists explain
deviance?
What are common
reactions to deviance
in the United States?
Are official statistics on
crime reliable?
What is the
medicalizationn of
deviance?
What is a more
humane approach to
protect people from
deviance?

SCHOOL: Academy Charter High School

TEACHER: Kaitlyn Korda

SUBJECT: Behavioral Studies

GRADE: 11/12

DATE: 8/31/2010

evaluated on the material they researched

and their ability to present it. Students will
also while listening to other groups
presentations, write down one interest fact
about the information and one aspect of the
presentation they liked.

6:

Race and Ethnicity

Projects/Writing Assignments
Race Essay: The lyrics of a patriotic ballad made by
actor John Wayne discusses how any American who
uses a hyphen to describe his or her heritage, such
as an African-American, Jewish American, or ItalianAmerican is a divided American with split loyalties.
Do you agree or disagree with this assessment?
Have you ever faced a situation in which your
loyalties were divided between your racial or ethnic
identity and your loyalty as an American? If so,
explain the situation and its outcome. Students
explanations should be in a five paragraph essay
format.
Invictus Essay: How has Invictus inspired you?
Students will write a five paragraph essay in which
they explain how the Invictus poem has inspired
them. Students should rite 5 paragraphs, including
introduction, body, and conclusion. Students should
be self reflective regarding the essay and also directly
reference the poem three times.

Text:
Sociology: A Down to Earth Approach
Atlas of the World: Africa
Introducing Sociology by Richard Osborne and
Borin Van Loon
Required Readings:
The Hyphen
America, Why I Love Thee
Invictus (poem)
The Real Story of Invictus (Newsweek)
Videos:
Invictus
20/20: Prussian Blue (if time)
Internet Sources:
http://blog.beliefnet.com/moviemom/2009/12/invi
ctus-the-poem.html#ixzz0uM4z71aL (Invictus
Poem)
http://library.thinkquest.org/18799/time33.html
http://africanhistory.about.com/library/bl/blSAApa
rtheidFAQ.htm (Apartheid FAQs)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/africa/features
/storyofafrica/index_section12.shtml (The Story
of South Africa)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/africa/features
/storyofafrica/12chapter7.shtml (Background on
Apartheid)
http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1aparthei.html (Background on Apartheid)
http://africanhistory.about.com/library/bl/blsalaws
.htm (Apartheid Registration)

How did Apartheid promote

or inhibit racism in South
Africa?
How is race both a reality
and a myth?
How do race and ethnicity
differ?
What are minority and
dominant groups?
What heightens ethnic
identity and what is ethnic
work?
Why are people prejudiced?
How do individual and
institutional discrimination
differ?
How do psychologists
explain prejudice?
How do sociologists explain
prejudice?
What are the major patterns
of minority and dominant
group relations?
What are the major ethnic
groups in the U.S.?
What are some issues in
racial-ethnic relations and
characteristics of minority
groups today?
What main issues dominate
racial ethnic relations?

How did modern

SCHOOL: Academy Charter High School

7:

Education and Religion

TEACHER: Kaitlyn Korda

SUBJECT: Behavioral Studies

Projects/Writing Assignments
Letter to Senator: Students will write a letter to one of
our state senators, or both if they choose. Students
can find this information at:
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/legsearch.asp
In this letter students will explain to the senator(s)
how they feel about the current state of education in
the United States and how they feel it should be
modified. Students letters should be properly
formatted and be at least 5 paragraphs with an
introduction, body, and conclusion.
How would you describe the worlds major religions to
a 3rd grader? Students will create a religion brochure
for one of the religions they investigated in their
webquest. In the brochure students will
o Design a cover with at least one picture, the
name, and any denominations for the
religions.
o Panel 1: History and origins of the religion;
Including any individuals associated with it.
Students should include one picture on this
panel.
o Panel 2: Students should identify the major
beliefs and principles of the religion that are
important to understaning the religion.
Students should include one picture on this
panel.
o Panel 3: Students should identify and
describe the major holidays or celebration
days that are associated with the religion.
Students should include one picture on this
panel.
o Panel 4: Students should identify a food
that is generally associated with the religion
and provide a recipe for the food. Students
should include one picture on this panel.
o Panel 5: Students will list the sources they
discovered the information from for their
brochure.
Cult Essay: Students will answer the following
question, Why do cults and sects meet with greater
hostility by members of society than churches?

GRADE: 11/12

DATE: 8/31/2010

Text:
Sociology: A Down to Earth Approach
Atlas of the World: Australia and Oceana
Introducing Sociology by Richard Osborne and
Borin Van Loon
Supplemental Readings:
Stolen Innocence by Elissa Wall
Videos:
The Rise and Fall of the Peoples Temple
Strong City (Documentary)
Hard Times at Frederick Douglas High
Internet Sources:
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/legsearch.
asp (Find your legislator)
http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-andvideo/video/race-top-education-reform (Barack
Obama Race to the Top Introduction)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLSahbjR3k0
(Chris Christie and Race to the Top Error)
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/legsearch.
asp (How to Find Your Legislator in NJ)
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6509120662881681478# (Strong City Video)
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/01/education/0
1child.html?_r=1&ref=no_child_left_behind_act
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fNvEm8wlPw
(Stolen Generations/ Australian Aboriginal
Brief History)
http://www.crystalinks.com/dreamtime.html
(Dreamtime)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sle62XV0BO0
(Australian Dreamtime Story)
http://www.aboriginalartonline.com/culture/land.p
hp (Aboriginal Artwork and Dreamtime)
http://www.aboriginalartonline.com/culture/symb
ols.php (Traditional Symbols)

education develop?
How does education
compare among the
most industrialized,
industrializing, and
least industrialized
nations?
How do the theoretical
perspectives of
sociology view
education?
What are the chief
problems that face US
education and what are
their potential
solutions?
What is religion?
How do the theoretical
perspectives of
sociology view
religion?
What are the worlds
major religions?
How do the different
types of religious
groups differ?
What are the
characteristics
common to all
religions?

SCHOOL: Academy Charter High School

a.

b.

Research and
Investigation

8:

TEACHER: Kaitlyn Korda

SUBJECT: Behavioral Studies

DATE: 8/31/2010

Students will reflect on the two movies regarding cults

and the story regarding the FLDS sect discussed
during class. Students essays should be in five
paragraph format.
Aboriginal Creationism
Artwork: Using their traditional symbols reading,
students will create a unique piece of artwork in the
style of Australian Aborigines. The artwork must tell
the tale, without using words, of the creation of some
natural resource. Students must use 3 traditional
symbols from their reading and may use their fingers,
bingo markers, jelly beans, or M&M candies to
recreate the aboriginal style.
Creation Story: Students will write a story based on
their unique artwork on aboriginal creation and the
symbols they used. Students stories will tell the tale
of creating some aspect of nature. Students stories
should be reflective of the aboriginal stories
read/watched in class and should be no less than 250
words and be as grammatically correct as possible
and in paragraph format.

Writing Assignments
Research Paper: Students will complete a 5 page paper
formatted in MLA style. Students papers should be double
spaced with size 12 times new roman font. Papers should
be formatted in the following order: Cover page, outline,
paper, and works cited.
Project
World Traveler Scrap Book: There are several
components to the journal and scrap book:
o Journal
1. Using your World Traveler Journal and the
internet, research various countries you
would like to visit. You must find all the
information that the journal entry has asked
you to identify.
2. You must visit 14 countries in these 30
days, therefore, you must include travel
time on your Trip Planner Page.

GRADE: 11/12

Text:
Research Paper Procedure: High School, Amy
Kleppner and Cynthia Skelton
Sociology: A Down to Earth Approach (if
needed)
Atlas of the World
Materials:
World Traveler Journals
Passport Journals
Supplemental:
Literacy Cookbook Research Paper Guide
Internet Resources:
http://support.library.ewu.edu/reference/tutorial/fl
ash/citation.html
http://www.crlsresearchguide.org/Research_Tip_
Sheets.asp
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/theworld-factbook/

What is the formula for a

good thesis statement?
How are good thesis
statements written?
What are the various parts
of a research paper?
How does one annotate?
Why is annotating important
to writing research papers?
How is the information from
note cards used in research
papers?
How do my note cards
support my thesis?
How are note cards used to
organize research paper
outlines?
Why are cover pages used
in research papers?
How are effective

SCHOOL: Academy Charter High School

TEACHER: Kaitlyn Korda

3.

4.

SUBJECT: Behavioral Studies

After completing your research, record on

the map in the middle of the book your trip
route. Once you have mapped
your route in the Journal, you will get a
certain colored roll of string to map your
route on the World Map in the classroom.
Like any vacation that people take, we like
to remember our trips by taking pictures.
For each country students visit they must
find a picture of something interesting you
either experienced or visited while in that
country that is particular to their culture.
Scrap Book
1. 2 Scrap Book Pages
2. A title for the Scrap Book Page
3. All 14 pictures must be depicted and
briefly explained in one sentence.
4. 150+ Word explanation of what the
best part of the trip was, what you
learned the most about, or what was
the most meaningful experience you
had.

GRADE: 11/12

DATE: 8/31/2010

http://www.infoplease.com/
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/geography/gl
ossary/
www.sascurriculumpathways.com
www.easybib.com

10

introductions of Research
Papers written?
How are sources properly
cited throughout the body of
a research paper?
How do I effectively prove
my thesis statement
throughout the paper?
Why should I write multiple
drafts of my paper?
What new cultures did I
come into conflict with and
what can I learn from these
cultures?
Why is it important to study
a countrys culture before
visiting it?
How do the various
countries that Ive visited
feel about the U.S.? Does
their culture reflect a
positive or negative
relationship with our
country?
A the countries Ive visited
experiencing cultural lag?
Are there any aspects of
cultural diffusion within
any/all of the countries Ive
visited?

10