Introductory Sociology
Introduces the scientific study of human society and social life. Provides students with a general overview of the basic concepts, theoretical perspectives, and methods used within the discipline of sociology. Analyzes social and cultural processes, group interaction in everyday life, and the structure, patterns, and organization of society. Describes the historical and contemporary societal factors that shape inequality based on class, race, gender, and sexuality, both in the U.S. and globally. Examines subfields such as, crime and deviance, the economy, politics, family, aging, health and medicine, collective behavior, and social movements. Prerequisite or corequisite: Completion of the Genesee Community College reading proficiency.
Subject Code: SOC
Course Number: 101
Credits: 3
Lecture Hours 3
Course Learning Outcomes:
1. Apply each of the four main theoretical perspectives (functionalism, conflict, symbolic interaction, and feminist) to the broader social world.
2. Identify a minimum of five types of research methodologies (survey, experiment, content analysis, secondary analysis, ethnography, etc.).
3. Identify the basic elements within the scientific method.
4. Apply the key elements within the socialization process to one’s life.
5. Analyze the impact of the following elements of culture on the daily lives of the members of society (material/non-material culture; social structure, values, norms, and laws; subcultures; cultural diversity, ethnocentrism and cultural relativism; culture change and culture lag.
6. Identify various diverse group and describe the historical or contemporary societal factors that shape the development of a group identity involving race, class, or gender.
7. Identify and describe a variety of concepts associated with human diversity (culture, sexism, racism, prejudice, discrimination, ethnocentrism, cultural relativity, assimilation, cultural pluralism, etc.).
8. Utilizing the sociological imagination, which links personal troubles to public issues, analyze the role that complex networks of social structures and systems play in the creation and perpetuation of the dynamics of power, privilege, oppression, or opportunity.
9. Explain the impact of social inequality (race, class, gender, age, or sexual orientation) on diverse groups.
10. Apply the theories of deviance to a current example of deviant behavior in society.
11. Identify a social movement and describe its impact on social change within society.
12. Apply the principles of rights, access, equity, and autonomous participation to past, current, or future social justice movements.
Effective Term: Fall 2020
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