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
