10-809-196Intro to Sociology
Course Information
Description
Introduces students to the fundamental sociological concepts, including sociological perspectives, research methods, the significance of culture in society, and the socialization process. Other topics include deviance, the impact of groups on behavior, societal inequities, global changes, the role of social institutions, and social stratification.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Describe sociological perspectives related to current issues, problems, and/or institutions
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, visual, and/or written presentation
    Criteria
    describe the basic premises of the theoretical perspectives, conflict, functionalism, and symbolic interaction
    analyze issues, problems, institutions, and/or the workplace from each of the theoretical perspectives
    describe sociological research methods
    use sociological theories to explain social patterns and phenomena (local)
    use sociological theories to evaluate social policies, programs, and practices (local)

  2. Analyze the importance of culture within societies
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, visual, and/or written presentation
    Criteria
    use sociological terms in context
    differentiate various dimensions of culture
    evaluate the influence of value systems on cultures
    explore challenges and opportunities in multi-cultural environments
    examine the functions of ethnocentricity and cultural relativism
    identify how power and privilege are reflected within the dominant culture (local)

  3. Summarize the influence of socialization on human behavior
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, visual, and/or written presentation
    Criteria
    use sociological terms in context
    outline the socialization process through the life span
    assess the impact of socialization agents
    examine how socialization processes perpetuate stereotypes and biases (local)
    analyze how socialization processes contribute to social reproduction and systems of oppression (local)

  4. Apply deviance theories
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, visual, and/or written presentation
    Criteria
    use sociological terms in context
    differentiate between deviance and criminality
    explain how deviance is a social construct (local)
    apply deviance theories to workplace and/or social problems

  5. Analyze the power of groups to influence behavior
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, visual, and/or written presentation
    Criteria
    use sociological terms in context
    describe characteristics of a group
    identify group influences on personal and/or occupational behaviors
    examine the influence of leadership styles within groups

  6. Assess the consequences of social, racial, ethnic, gender, age, sexual orientation, and other inequities
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, visual, and/or written presentation
    Criteria
    use sociological terms in context
    differentiate between individual and structural-level explanations for social disparities (local)
    distinguish among the experiences of categories of people who are faced with discrimination
    summarize the social consequences of prejudice and discrimination
    explore the intersections between inequities
    describe how power and privilege are linked to social inequities (local)

  7. Examine the effects of globalization on societies
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, visual, and/or written presentation
    Criteria
    use sociological terms in context
    summarize the consequences of social changes due to technological, demographic, political, economic, and environmental factors
    analyze social changes resulting from globalization

  8. Analyze how social institutions function in society
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, visual, and/or written presentation
    Criteria
    use sociological terms in context
    describe the function/purpose of each institution
    apply theoretical perspectives to social institutions
    determine how changes in one institution impacts other institutions
    examine the relationship between social inequalities and social institutions (local)
    identify how privilege and oppression are embedded within social institutions (local)

  9. Assess the impact of social stratification
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, visual, and/or written presentation
    Criteria
    use sociological terms in context
    outline socioeconomic classes
    define different systems of social stratification
    describe how demographic factors intersect with class status
    examine social mobility across social classes

  10. Explore your position in the social world (local)
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, visual, and/or written presentation
    Criteria
    differentiate sociological explanations from individualistic ones
    examine the role that social forces play in your own life
    describe how identities and experiences are positioned within a broader social context
    explore the relationship between individuals and society
    apply a sociological perspective to inequalities, inequities, and systems of oppression

  11. Assess common sociological research methods (local)
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, visual, and/or written presentation
    Criteria
    distinguish between scientific and non-scientific sources of information
    interpret social scientific data
    evaluate the strengths and limitations of common sociological research methods
    identify the ethical dilemmas encountered in social scientific research involving marginalized populations

  12. Explain how society is socially constructed (local)
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, visual, and/or written presentation
    Criteria
    explain what it means to say that a concept or practice is socially constructed
    trace how social constructions change over time
    explore the consequences and implications of social constructions
    identify ways that power and privilege influence social constructions