4/1/2014 DATE

x
X

Social Science/Education

REQUIRED COURSE
ELECTIVE COURSE

DIVISION

NEW COURSE
REVISION

LAKE LAND COLLEGE

Course Information Form
COURSE NUMBER SOC280
SEM CR HRS 3
LT HRS
COURSE PCS #

TITLE Introduction to Sociology

LAB HRS
SOE HRS
ECH
(Assigned by Administration)

Catalog Description (40 Word Limit):

Study of human interaction focusing on

PREREQUISITES:

None

social influences shaping personality, structure and dynamics of human society.

Topics include: sociological perspective, culture, society, social interaction; social
change in global perspective; socialization; families; social class; and social
stratification; race and ethnicity; and deviance.

CONTENT
OUTLINE

LECTURE
HOURS

Study of Sociology (What is Sociology, Methods)

LAB
HOURS

Individual and Society (Culture, Socialization, Social

Interaction, Groups, Networks, Organization, Conformity
and Deviance)

10

Stratification (Class, Global, Gender, Racial and Ethnic,

Aging)

15

Social Institutions (Government, Work, Economy, Families,

Education, Religion)

10

Social Change (Health, Sexuality, Population, Urbanization,

Environment, Globalization)
EVALUATION: Quizzes
Lab Work

5
Exams X
Projects x

Oral Pres. x
Comp.Final X

Papers X
Other Group

Activities

Textbook:
Required:
Title

Introduction to Sociology
Author

Anthony Giddens, Mitchel Duneier, Richard P. Appelbaum, Deborah Carr

Publisher

WW Norton

Volume/Edition

9 (Seagull edition)

Copyright Date

2014

Title

Everyday Sociology
Author

Karen Sternheimer

Publisher

WW Norton

Volume/Edition

Copyright Date

2010

Instructor Options:
Title

The Blind Side

Author

Michael Lewis

Publisher WW Norton
Volume/Edition
Title

Copyright Date 2007

The Cosmopolitan Canopy

Author

Elijah Anderson

Publisher WW Norton
Volume/Edition
Major Course Segment
Study of Sociology

Copyright Date 2011

Hours
5

Learning Outcome
Define sociology and distinguish the

discipline from related fields (Giddens, et al.). Describe the sociological imagination
(Giddens, et al. and Sternheimer). Introduce the founders of sociology, classical
sociological theory, American sociology, and modern sociology theory (Giddens, et al.),
Describe both qualitative and quantitative research methods (Giddens, et al.). Describe
causality versus correlation, variables, hypothesis testing, validity, reliability,
generalizability, and the role of the researcher (Giddens, et al.). Explain how research is
conducted and how statistics work (Giddens, et al. and Sternheimer).
Individual and Society

10

Define culture (Giddens, et al.).

Describe material and nonmaterial culture, including status symbols (Giddens, et al. and
Sternheimer). Discuss the role of media in culture (Giddens, et al.). Explain examples
of various types of media (television, magazines, email) (Sternheimer). Describe the
socialization process (limits, theories, and agents of socialization) (Giddens, et al.).
Describe the social construction of reality (Giddens, et al.). Explain impression
management, norm breaching, stigma, and identity (Sternheimer). Describe social
group dynamics (type and size) (Giddens, et al.). Describe how networks and
organizations work (Giddens, et al. and Sternheimer). Describe the changes in civic
engagement (Sternheimer). Explain social deviance (Giddens, et al.). Discuss
functionalist and symbolic interactionist approaches to deviance and social control
(Giddens, et al. and Sternheimer). Discuss crime (types, rates, and crime reduction)
(Giddens, et al. and Sternheimer).

Stratification

15

Introduce inequality and discuss

different types of stratification (Giddens, et al. and Sternheimer). Describe global

inequality (Giddens, et al.). Explain social mobility (Giddens, et al.). Distinguish between
sex and gender (Giddens, et al.). Describe gender differences and sociological
explanations for gender differences, including doing gender (Giddens, et al. and
Sternheimer). Discuss sociology of sexuality (Giddens, et al. and Sternheimer).
Describe gender inequality (Giddens, et al. and Sternheimer). Discuss myths about
race (Giddens, et al.). Describe the history of race (Giddens, et al.). Distinguish between
race and ethnicity (Giddens, et al. and Sternheimer). Discuss various ethnic groups in
the U.S. (Giddens, et al.). Describe minority-majority group relations (Giddens, et al.
and Sternheimer). Discuss prejudice, discrimination, and racism (Giddens, et al.).
Discuss the culture of poverty (Giddens, et al.). Describe how poverty exists in the U.S.
(Giddens, et al.). Discuss the U.S. social class system (Giddens, et al. and
Sternheimer).
Social Institutions

10

Identify different types of legitimate

authority (Giddens, et al.). Discuss obedience to authority (Giddens, et al.). Describe

authority, legitimacy, and the state (Giddens, et al. and Sternheimer). Describe radical
power and persuasion (Giddens, et al.). Describe the history of capitalism (Giddens, et
al.). Discuss theories about the transition to capitalism (Giddens, et al.). Discuss recent
changes in capitalism (Giddens, et al. and Sternheimer). Describe the role of the
corporation in capitalism (Giddens, et al.). Describe family forms and changes (Giddens,
et al.). Discuss the boundaries between public and private family life and between family
and work (Giddens, et al. and Sternheimer). Discuss gender inequality within the family
and racial inequality between families (Giddens, et al. and Sternheimer). Describe the
pecking order (Giddens, et al.). Discuss the future of families (Giddens, et al.). Define
religion (Giddens, et al.). Discuss theory and religion (Giddens, et al.). Discuss
secularization (Giddens, et al.). Explain the power of religion (Giddens, et al. and
Sternheimer). Discuss religion and the social landscape (Giddens, et al.). Discuss the
commercialization of religious life (Giddens, et al.). Discuss the sect-church process and
growth of conservative churches (Giddens, et al.). Describe the functions of education,
the role of schools (do they matter, what goes on in them, and higher education)
(Giddens, et al.). Discuss inequalities in schooling (Giddens, et al. and Sternheimer).

Social Change

Describe the rise of the medical

profession, the meaning of sickness, the U.S. health-care system, the sociology of
mental health, and global poverty (Giddens, et al.). Discuss collective action and social
movements (Giddens, et al.). Describe the change from premodern, to modern, to
postmodern society (Giddens, et al.). Discuss the causes of social change (Giddens, et
al. and Sternheimer).
NOTE: The Blind Side could be used in a couple of ways. (1) The instructor could pull
examples from The Blind Side as the class moves through the semester to illustrate
sociological concepts. (2) The instructor could have students read the book towards the
end of the semester to pull together the course content into one cohesive story. The
Blind Side should be used to illustrate concepts under culture, socialization, social
control, gender, race, poverty, family, and education. Alternately, the instructor may
choose to supplement the course with The Cosmopolitan Canopy. The book can be
used to illustrate concepts such as race, social class, social interaction, and
urbanization.
GENERAL EDUCATION GOALS AND LEARNER COMPETENCIES
THIS COURSE MEETS THE FOLLOWING GENERAL EDUCATION GOALS:
Goal 2b: UNDERSTAND THE FUNCTIONS OF GROUPS AND INSTITUTIONS WITHIN SOCIETY.
Explain the contributions of diverse groups to the advancement of civilization.

Goal 7a: SURVEY MAJOR HUMAN VALUES AND BELIEF SYSTEMS

Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of values and beliefs on societal dynamics.