This is an introductory course in Sociology for students with no prior background in the subject. This course guides students through the process of asking and answering important questions from a sociological perspective. Students will exercise critical thinking, reading, and writing skills as they are exposed to sociological theories and research that they can apply to important social issues. This course teaches how individuals are organized into social groups, ranging from intimate groups to bureaucracies, and how these influence individual behavior; we will consider the nature and interrelationships of basic social institutions, such as family, education, religion, and the economy.
Course Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this course, the student will be able to:
Describe the history of Sociology as a field
Identify the manner in which sociological research is conducted
Take into account ethical and social ramifications of sociological research when conducting such research
Define “culture” and “diversity” and relate these two concepts to each other
Determine the interaction between human nature and socialization and the effect that the former has on the latter in a variety of contexts
Characterize societal institutions on the macro and micro levels
Ascertain the role of technology on society and human interaction
Detail the effects of mass media on socialization
Identify the roles of social groups and organizations on human society and interaction
Analyze the role of deviance from societal norms on society and discuss the social control of such deviant behavior that is exercised by society
Accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission. The Distance Education Accrediting Commission is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency. The Distance Education Accrediting Commission is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
