The content and assessments for this course I are aligned to the following learning outcomes. A full list of course learning outcomes can be viewed here: Course Learning Objectives for Sociology.

Module 1: Foundations of Sociology

Define sociology and explain how empirical research is used to study the social world

• Define sociology and describe the historical and social context from which it emerged
• Explain the sociological imagination and the relationship between the individual and the broader workings of society
• Differentiate between the three main theoretical paradigms/perspectives in sociology
• Describe and apply the scientific method to sociology
• Identify and differentiate between types of research methods, discussing the benefits and limitations of each

Module 2: Culture and Society

Differentiate between culture and society, describe the basic elements of culture, and compare types of societies

• Define culture, society, cultural universals, and cultural relativism
• Describe the basic elements of culture
• Examine pop culture, subculture, and cultural change
• Describe of the evolution of societies
• Contrast the various theoretical perspectives on culture society
• Explain how society shapes reality

Module 3: Socialization and Interaction

Describe socialization throughout the life course and understand how groups structure society.

• Describe theories of self-development
• Describe the roles that agents of socialization play in the socialization process and describe how socialization develops across the life course
• Define types of groups and describe how group dynamics are impacted by leadership, size, and conformity
• Describe characteristics of formal organizations

Module 4: Deviance and Crime

Define deviance and describe the sociological theories that account for deviance, conformity and social control

• Define deviance and methods of social control
• Contrast the varying theoretical perspectives on deviance
• Describe the criminal justice system and types of crimes

Module 5: Social Stratification and Inequality

Describe various measures of social stratification in the US and globally, with an emphasis on social class and poverty

• Provide examples of social stratification
• Describe social stratification and mobility in the United States
• Explain global stratification and classification systems
• Compare poverty throughout the world and explain its consequences
• Describe theoretical perspectives on social stratification

Module 6: Race and Ethnicity

Compare relative experiences of ethnic groups in the United States while demonstrating an understanding of race, ethnicity, majority and minority groups, stereotypes, prejudice, discrimination, and racism.

• Define and differentiate between race, ethnicity, majority groups/minority groups, stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination
• Summarize the key ideas behind the three theoretical perspectives on racial inequality
• Compare and contrast the experiences of ethnic groups in the United States

Module 7: Gender, Sex, and Sexuality

Discuss gender and gender identity, feminism, and sexuality

• Differentiate between sex and gender, define sexual orientation, and understand gender identity
• Describe the socialization of gender and gender inequality
• Explain sexual attitudes and practices

Module 8: Marriage and Family

Discuss family, marriage and the variations in family life, including marriage, divorce and family abuse

• Define and describe marriage and family
• Recognize variations in family life
• Describe the social and interpersonal impacts of family challenges

Module 9: Religion and Education

Describe the role that religion and education play in shaping values and beliefs, and compare various religions and educational practices around the world.

• Explain how major sociological perspectives view religion
• Explain the basic tenets of major world religions
• Describe religion in the United States
• Examine educational differences around the world
• Examine the major theoretical perspectives on education
• Identify and discuss historical and contemporary issues in education

Module 10: Health and Aging

Demonstrate an understanding of the social construction of health, and describe the processes and challenges associated with growing old

• Describe the social construction of health and the theoretical perspectives on health and medicine
• Compare and contrast health care in the United States and abroad and describe major health disparities and issues within the United States
• Evaluate the aging of society and summarize the theoretical perspectives on aging
• Examine the process of aging and the biological, social, and psychological changes and perceptions associated with growing old
• Describe and give examples of challenges facing the elderly

Module 11: Government and Politics

Analyze types of power and authority and explore the political process in the United States

• Define and differentiate between power and authority
• Describe forms of government and explain politics in the United States
• Describe the varying theoretical Perspectives on Government and Power

Module 12: Work and the Economy

Discuss the historical development of the types of economic systems and describe modern economies and globalization

• Differentiate between economic systems and discuss theoretical views of economics
• Define globalization and describe its manifestation in modern society
• Describe working conditions in the United States

Module 13: Population, Urbanization, and the Environment

Describe the nature and growth of population and the resultant impacts on the environment

• Describe demographic measurements, read population graphs, and describe demographic theories
• Describe the growth of cities and the process of urbanization
• Understand the impact of climate change and pollution on the environment and society

Module 14: Social Movements, Media, and Technology

Summarize the nature and influence of collective behavior and social movements, and assess the impact of the media and technology on social change

• Describe the causes and development of collective behavior, social movements, and social change
• Describe technology in a sociological context
• Describe the evolution and role of the media in society
• Understand and discuss how we analyze media and technology through various sociological perspectives