Standard

rev. 11/26/03 

SOC 191 Introduction To Sociology

Course Description

Explores the sociological analysis of society, its culture, and structure. Sociology is presented as a science with emphasis placed on its methodology and theoretical foundations. Topics include: basic sociological concepts, socialization, social interaction and culture, social groups and institutions, deviance and social control, social stratification, and social change.

 

Competency Areas

Hours

 

Basic Sociological Concepts

Class

5

Socialization

D. Lab

0

Social Interaction and Culture

P. Lab/O.B.I.

0

Social Groups and Institutions

Credit

5

Deviance and Social Control

 

 

Social Stratification

 

 

Social Change

 

 

 

 

 

Prerequisite:

Program admission

Corequisite:

 

 

Course Guide

 

Competency

After completing this section, the student will:

Hours

Class

D.Lab

P.Lab/

O.B.I.

BASIC SOCIOLOGICAL CONCEPTS

5

0

0

Sociology as a science

Describe the sociological perspective.

 

 

 

 

Describe the main characteristics of the other social sciences.

 

 

 

Theoretical perspectives

Discuss the major theoretical perspectives and explain their use.

 

 

 

Research methods

Explain the major research methods used in sociology.

 

 

 

 

Identify the problems researchers face in conducting valid research.

 

 

 

SOCIALIZATION

10

0

0

Heredity vs. environment

Recognize the different perspectives on the role of heredity and environment in the socialization process.

 

 

 

Theories of development

Identify the major theories or processes of development.

 

 

 

Agencies of socialization

Explain the importance of agencies of socialization such as family, school, religion, peer groups, mass media, and the workplace.

 

 

 

Types of socialization

Identify the major types of socialization.

 

 

 

Views of socialization

Explain the two major perspectives of socialization.

 

 

 

SOCIAL INTERACTION AND CULTURE

5

0

0

Culture and society

Define culture and discuss the elements of culture including beliefs, values, norms, and language.

 

 

 

Social structure

Describe the functions of status, roles, groups, and institutions in maintaining social structure.

 

 

 

SOCIAL GROUPS AND INSTITUTIONS

10

0

0

Types of groups

Identify the major types of groups.

Explain the structure and processes of small groups.

 

 

 

Institution

Recognize and describe the major roles of such sociological groups as the family, religion, education, health care providers, and political and economic institutions.

 

 

 

Organizational models

Identify types of formal organizations.

 

 

 

Government and economic systems

Identify and discuss the major types of government and economic systems.

 

 

 

DEVIANCE AND SOCIAL CONTROL

5

0

0

Explanations of deviance

Describe the sociological and nonsociological approaches to deviance.

 

 

 

Sources of crime

Discuss the functionalist and conflict views of crime.

 

 

 

Social control

Explain the functioning of internal and external social controls and differentiate between formal and informal social controls.

 

 

 

SOCIAL STRATIFICATION

5

0

0

Stratification systems

Define social stratification.

Identify the two types of stratification systems.

 

 

 

Theories of stratification

Describe the functionalist, conflict, and evaluation theories.

 

 

 

Socioeconomic issues

Explain how socioeconomic status is measured.

 

 

 

 

Describe the major social classes found in the United States.

 

 

 

 

Identify some of the consequences of social stratification.

 

 

 

Inequality issues

Discuss the social sources of prejudice and discrimination.

 

 

 

 

Identify the psychological factors involved in prejudice and discrimination.

 

 

 

 

Explain the consequences of discrimination.

 

 

 

 

Identify the primary racial and ethnic minorities in America.

 

 

 

 

Discuss the sources and extent of gender stratification.

 

 

 

 

Identify and discuss the major problems related to age and social inequality.

 

 

 

SOCIAL CHANGE

10

0

0

Theories of change

Discuss the major theories of social change.

 

 

 

Sources of change

Identify the major sources of change.

 

 

 

Collective behavior

Define collective behavior.

 

 

 

 

Discuss the various forms of collective behavior and the conditions necessary for development.

 

 

 

Social movements

Describe the types of social movements.

 

 

 

 

Trace the development of social movements.

 

 

 

World population growth

Describe current patterns of population growth and social problems related to that growth.