Catalog Description: The principles of social organization including the study of social groups, culture, social change, personality population, rural and urban communities, social class and caste systems, and social institutions such as the family, recreation and religion.
Semester Credit Hours: 3 Lecture Hours per Week: Contact Hours per Semester: 48 State Approval Code: 4511015142
Course Subject/Catalog Number: SOCI1301
Course Title: Introduction to Sociology
Core Curriculum: State Criteria
Basic Intellectual Competencies (Those marked with a √ reflect the state-mandated
competencies taught in this course.)
Perspectives (Those marked with a √ reflect the state-mandated perspectives
taught in this course.)
Establish broad and multiple perspectives
on the individual in relationship to the larger society and world in which
he/she lives, and to understand the responsibilities of living in a culturally
and ethnically diversified world.
Stimulate a capacity to discuss and
reflect upon individual, political, economic, and social aspects of life in
order to understand ways in which to be a responsible member of society.
Recognize the importance
of maintaining health and wellness.
Develop a capacity to use knowledge
of how technology and science affect their lives.
Develop personal values for ethical
behavior.
Develop the ability to make
aesthetic judgments.
Use logical reasoning in problem solving.
Integrate knowledge and understand
the interrelationships of the scholarly disciplines.
Exemplary Objectives (Those marked with a √ reflect state-mandated exemplary
objectives taught in this course.)
Social and Behavioral Sciences: The objective of a social and behavioral
science component of a core curriculum is to increase students' knowledge
of how social and behavioral scientists discover, describe, and explain the
behaviors and interactions among individuals, groups, institutions, events,
and ideas. Such knowledge will better equip students to understand themselves
and the roles they play in addressing the issues facing humanity.
To employ the appropriate methods, technologies, and data that social and
behavioral scientists use to investigate the human condition.
To examine social institutions and processes across a range of historical
periods, social structures, and cultures.
To use and critique alternative explanatory systems or theories.
To develop and communicate alternative explanations or solutions for contemporary
social issues.
To analyze the effects of historical, social, political, economic, cultural,
and global forces on the area under study.
To comprehend the origins and evolution of U.S. and Texas political systems,
with a focus on the growth of political institutions, the constitutions of
the U.S. and Texas, federalism, civil liberties, and civil and human rights.
To understand the evolution and current role of the U.S. in the world.
To differentiate and analyze historical evidence (documentary and statistical)
and differing points of view.
To recognize and apply reasonable criteria for the acceptability of historical
evidence and social research.
To analyze, critically assess, and develop creative solutions to public policy
problems.
To recognize and assume one's responsibility as a citizen in a democratic
society by learning to think for oneself, by engaging in public discourse,
and by obtaining information through the news media and other appropriate
information sources about politics and public policy.
To identify and understand differences and commonalities within diverse cultures.
Instructional Goals and Purposes:
Lee College's instructional goals include 1) creating an academic atmosphere
in which students may develop their intellects and skills and 2) providing
courses so students may receive a certificate/an associate degree or transfer
to a senior institution that offers baccalaureate degrees.
General Course Objectives:
To introduce students to critical and conceptual thought about human interaction.
To introduce students to important sociological terms such as class, race,
gender, and power.
To introduce students to issues of living and interacting within a diverse,
multicultural society.
To encourage students to think critically about the information they have
received from schools, media, and other sources of authority.
Specific Course Objectives:
To analyze the relationship between the individual and
the social structure.
To know the different components, or institutions, that
make up the social structure.
To develop and awareness of classical theories of society.
To develop an understanding of alternative theories of
society.
To understand the basic elements of the research practice.
To develop the ability
to apply sociological concepts and theories to concrete situations.
Course Content:
Sociology 1301 is a survey of the major ideas in sociology and its subfields. In
addition to the course objectives outlined above, students should learn the
following content areas that comprise the general subject matter of the course. Depending
on student interest and need, individual instructors may place more or less
emphasis on selected topics and/or introduce relevant topics.
Historical Roots of Sociology
Science, Sociology, and Research Methods
The Nature/Nurture Debate
Media and Society
Economic Sociology
Conflict Theory
Functionalist Sociology
Feminist Sociology
Alternative Sociological Paradigms
Society and the Environment
The Family
The State
Consumerism
Race
Class
Sex and Gender
Masculinity
Sociologies of Religion
Identity
Culture and Social Change
Modern and Postmodern Sociology
Drugs and Society
Crime and Society
The Life Cycle
Social Psychology
Methods of Instruction/Course Format/Delivery:
For the traditional classroom course, teaching approaches are expected to
vary with individual instructors who should employ those techniques that work
best for them their students. Although lecture and reading assignments
are the primary forms of delivery, other instructional methods may involve
classroom discussion, student presentations and lectures, audio-visual instruction,
invited speakers, physical demonstration of concepts, critical thinking activities,
in class writing exercises designed to stimulate critical thinking, and group
activities, including field trips.
Distance learning is also available for students who cannot attend lectures and
who are capable of the amount of self-direction and discipline required to complete
such a course. Reading the materials, communication via email, and on-line
discussion are some of the methods used for distance learning.
Assessment:
Faculty may assign both in and out of class assignments, essay projects,
and exams to assess the student's knowledge and abilities. Faculty may
also choose from the following assessment criteria:
Attendance
Book Reviews
Class Preparedness and Participation
Exams
Tests
Quizzes
Internet Assignments
Journal Assignments
Library Assignments
Readings
Research Papers
Written Assignments
Field Trip Reports and Essays
Course Grade:
Student's grades are determined by the percentage of points they earn. A
minimum of 60% of the total points possible is required for successful completion
of the course.
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