Document Type

Syllabus

Publication Date

Spring 2023

Course Description

“(Sociology) should rather cause us to see things in a different way from the ordinary man, for the purpose of any science is to make discoveries, and all such discoveries more or less upset accepted opinions.” (Emile Durkheim) In this course, we will gain a sense of the basic theories, topics, and methods of sociology in order to view the world through a sociological lens. We will be challenged to rethink the everyday assumptions we hold about society and go beyond any “common sense” notions of the social world. We will learn to take a sociological perspective, which involves reaching beyond our own experiences and opinions. Learning critical thinking skills will enhance our ability to understand the diverse world we live in. We will hopefully gain a heightened awareness of how our surroundings affect not only who we are but how we interact with others. We begin the semester by exploring what sociology is and how sociologists study a wide array of topics. We will then address the social construction of reality through a variety of topics including deviance, health and illness, sexuality and the family. Next, we will look at social stratification and how patterns of inequality are built into the social structure in such areas as race, class, and gender

Student Outcomes

By the end of the semester, you should be able to: a) Explain what sociology is and what sociologists do b) Adopt a sociological perspective when interpreting the world around you c) Think critically about your own and others’ taken for granted assumptions about the social world d) Identify how society is stratified along social class, race and gender lines e) Analyze social issue using critical thinking and writing skills f) Understand the usefulness of sociology for your life

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