Introduction to Sociology

This course is a part of:
Associate's Degree Program
Bachelor's Degree Program

This is an introductory course in sociology for students with no prior background in the subject. This course guides students through the process of asking and answering important questions from a sociological perspective. Students will exercise critical thinking, reading, and writing skills as they are exposed to sociological theories and research that they can apply to important social issues. This course teaches how individuals are organized into social groups, ranging from intimate groups to bureaucracies, and how these influence individual behavior; we will consider the nature and interrelationships of basic social institutions, such as family, education, religion, and the economy.

Course Objectives

At the completion of this course, the student will have acquired knowledge and understanding of:

• The history of sociology as a field
• Doing sociological research: ethical and social ramifications
• Culture and diversity
• Human nature and socialization
• Societal institutions on the macro and micro levels
• Society and technology
• How mass media impacts socialization
• Social groups and organizations
• Deviance and social control