SOCI 1010 - Introduction to Sociology

3 sem hrs cr

This course identifies basic human relationships essential to survival in modern society and seeks to assist students in understanding and applying this knowledge in everyday life. Topics include introduction to sociology, culture, inequality and social class, political and economic orders, and the changing society. Prerequisite: Exemption from or completion of ENGL 0810  and READ 0810  

In rare and unusual circumstances, a course prerequisite can be overridden with the permission of the Department Lead for the discipline. 

This course may include proctored exams which must be completed on campus or at an instructor approved proctoring center which may require additional costs to the student. Please consult your instructor for additional details.

  Formerly/Same As (Formerly SOC 1010, SOC 2110)

Transfer (UT) or Non-Transfer Course (UN): UT

Students in this course will…

• be able to identify the key theoretical perspectives and explain how the insights generated by these perspectives inform sociology.
• be able to identify and employ various research designs and their appropriate application to the study of social life.
• identify early theorists in sociology and their contributions to society.
• define deviance and identify theories as to why some people become deviant.
• describe the difference between race and ethnicity.
• identify and describe subculture and countercultures.
• define social class and explain the consequences of social class.

OBJECTIVES

• Understand and explain various sociological points of views
• Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of various research designs
• Summarize the major contributions of sociology’s pioneers: Comte, Martineau, Spencer, Marx, Durkheim, and Weber
• Explain the functions and dysfunctions of deviance
• Describe the characteristics of the major racial and ethnic groups in the United States
• Compare and contrast the various types of societies
• Describe the characteristics of each of the social classes in the United States and the most commonly used approach

COURSE TOPICS

• Understanding Sociology
• Sociological Research
• Culture
• Socialization and the Life Course
• Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure
• The Mass Media
• Deviance and Social Control
• Stratification and Social Mobility in the United States
• Global Inequality
• Racial and Ethnic Inequality
• Stratification by Gender
• The Family and Intimate Relationships
• Religion and Education
• Government and the Economy
• Health and the Environment
• Social Change in the Global Community