Learning Outcomes

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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 (Chapter) Learning Outcomes
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