SOC 101: Introduction to Sociology

3 credits | Prerequisites: None

Course rationale

For anyone interested in sociology this course is highly recommended since this is an introductory course in sociology, with particular emphasis on sociological concepts and theories; social institutions and networking; social problems and change; and methods of sociological investigation. Understanding basic concepts and theories of sociology would inspire students to search for the root causes of social problems and apply their knowledge and skill to resolve those problems for making the world more livable for everybody

Course content

Introduction; background of social science; key concepts in sociology; development of sociological thought: social forces, intellectual forces, major theoretical orientations; sociological investigation; becoming a member of society: culture, socialization, groups, and organizations; social inequality and stratification: global inequality, race, and ethnicity, gender; social institutions: family, government, economy and work; changing society: population, urbanization and environment; technology, collective behavior and social change

Course objectives

  1. To enable students to think sociologically
  2. To introduce the learners to the basic concepts of sociology and its fundamental aspects that are
    essential to progress with the discipline
  3. To analyze the basic elements and functions of human society systematically with particular emphasis on

core sociological perspectives (theoretical orientations)

  1.  Functionalist
  2. Conflict
  3. Interactionalist

References

Text Book(s)

  1. Richard T. Schaefer (2009) Sociology [9th or later International Editions], New York: McGraw-Hill
  2. Gerber, L. M. & Macionis, J. J. (2004). Sociology, (Updated 4th Canadian edition). Toronto: Pearson Education Inc.

Reference Book(s)

  1. Steve Bruce (2000) Sociology: A Very Short Introduction, New York: Oxford Univer Press.
  2. Martin Albrow (1999) Sociology: The Basics [1st Edition], Routledge.
  3. David Popenoe (2000) Sociology [11th Edition], New Jersey: Prentice-Hall.
  4. Alex Thio (2005) Sociology: A Brief Introduction [6th Edition], Boston: Pearson Education.
  5. Anthony Giddens (2006) Sociology [5th Edition], Cambridge: Polity Press.