Course Syllabus

SOC 1010 Introduction to Sociology

Course Description

SOC 1010 introduces students to the discipline of sociology and its unifying objective of linking broad cultural and institutional social forces to personal experiences and human behavior. Using sociological theories and research methods, an examination will be given to various sociological perspectives and topics such as culture, family, gender, ethnicity, crime, etc. General education credit and variable credit may be earned. To fulfill social science general education requirements, the class must be taken for 3 credits; however 1-2 variable elective credits are offered for exigent circumstances.

Justification

This course is designed as an introduction to the discipline of sociology with its macro and micro study of societal and cultural social patterns, conflict, structure, and human interaction. An introductory sociology course is offered at every USHE institution. SOC 1010 satisfies the Social Science (SS) requirement for General Education at Snow College and is a major requirement for sociology majors. It will transfer as general education credit, elective credit, or major credit.

General Education Outcomes

1. A student who completes the GE curriculum has a fundamental knowledge of human cultures and the natural world. Sociology emphasizes the study of culturally diverse norms, values, beliefs, and traditions found in society. Students can expect to read class material and discuss these concepts, applying social/cultural knowledge and awareness to sociological subjects and linking them to personal life experiences. Expression of this understanding and knowledge will be asked of students in writing projects, quizzes, and/or exams.
2. A student who completes the GE curriculum can read and research effectively within disciplines. Class topics and sociological subjects will be based on textbook readings and other source materials that are assigned to develop reading comprehension and research skills. Class quizzes, exams, and essay work will provide students the chance to demonstrate their understanding of sociological topics and ability to research relevant content.
3. A student who completes the GE curriculum can draw from multiple disciplines to address complex problems. Sociology, with its emphasis on human groups and social organization allows students to use multiple disciplines to analyze and address social issues and problems. Drawing from politics, economics, history, psychology, human development, etc., students in this course will address relevant social issues in quizzes, exams, and written work.
4. A student who completes the GE curriculum can reason analytically, critically, and creatively. Sociology asks students to think critically about their place in culture and the social world around them. It promotes assessment of objective sources of information and ethical scientific methodologies. Class discussion and relevant readings will provide the basis for exercises in sociological thinking and analysis and will be evaluated in class discussion, essay projects, quizzes and/or exams.

General Education Knowledge Area Outcomes

1. Students will become knowledgeable about underlying factors that affect social structure (i.e., cultural, economic, political, etc.) and the culturally significant institutions and processes that change over time and influence social behavior. Through class discussion, written projects, quizzes and/or exams, students will be able to communicate their understanding of these sociological concepts.  Students will become knowledgeable about underlying factors that affect social structure (i.e., cultural, economic, political, etc.) and the culturally significant institutions and processes that change over time and influence social behavior. Through class discussion, written projects, quizzes and/or exams, students will be able to communicate their understanding of these sociological concepts.
2. Develop and communicate hypothetical explanations for individual human behavior within the large-scale historical or social context. Sociological theories and concepts will allow students to recognize the variety of influences and cultural perspectives that shape human thought and behavior. Written projects, quizzes, and/or exams will provide opportunities to demonstrate knowledge and explanations for patterned behavior and evaluate the nature vs nurture debate (i.e., cultural influences versus biological and sociobiological influences on personality and behavior).
3. Draw on the social and behavioral sciences to evaluate contemporary problems using social science research methodology. Students will be exposed to sociological methods and theories and will use both micro and macro levels of analysis to analyze and interpret current social issues, controversies, and problems. Through class discussion, quizzes and/or exams students will demonstrate their ability to think critically about local, national, and global challenges.
4. Describe and analytically compare social, political, economic, cultural, geographical, and historical settings and processes other than one’s own. Students will be exposed in readings and class discussion to a variety of current and historical social settings and processes that will challenge their assumptions and experiences regarding social issues. A major goal of sociology is to identify and increase awareness of wider social forces outside the individual and link those to personal experiences. Careful analysis of these links and social conditions will be displayed on student writing projects, quizzes and/or exams.
5. Explain and use the social-scientific method to test research questions and draw conclusions. Students will explore sociological theories and methodologies comparing and analyzing social institutions and patterned behavior. Textbook study and additional readings will allow an examination of alternative theoretical perspectives, case studies, and opinions. Class discussion, quizzes and/or exams, will provide students an opportunity to display their ability to synthesize sociological findings into clear and well-reasoned arguments and empirical conclusions.
6. Write effectively within the social science discipline, using correct disciplinary guidelines, to analyze, interpret, and communicate about social science phenomena. Students will be able to understand sociological perspectives and principles and communicate their opinions, analysis, and research on these topics. Essay projects and written work assessed on quizzes and/or exams will demonstrate this competency.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Students will gain an understanding and knowledge of the major sociological perspectives and theories that help us understand how social forces affect individuals on a daily basis.
2. Students will gain an understanding and knowledge of the research methods used by sociologists and other social and behavioral scientists to discover, describe, explain, and/or predict human behavior and social systems.
3. Students will develop their “sociological imagination” (the ability to see and understand the relationship between personal life events and events in society) and articulate this in written class work.

Course Content

SOC 1010 is a course that provides an introduction to sociology, a fundamental discipline in the social sciences. Through lecture, class discussion, writing assignments or projects, quizzes and exams, students will examine different social subjects and social issues using sociological theories and perspectives. Course topics will include social theory and methodology, culture, socialization, societies and social structure, groups and organization, deviance, stratification, race and ethnicity, gender, family, religion, education, politics and economics, health and aging, population, and social change.