Fundamentals of Sociology

This course is an introduction to the study of human social behavior, social groups, and society. The course emphasizes the basic concepts and theories found in the discipline of sociology. The course will compare and contrast different theories as well as look at different processes of socialization.

• Compare and contrast the basic assumptions found in functionalist theory, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism theory.
• Critique the advantages and disadvantages inherent in the most prominent research design methods employed by sociologists.
• Explain the connection between culture and the process of socialization.
• Discriminate between social interaction and social structure.
• Assess the nature of the family as a social institution from the functionalist theoretical perspective, the conflict theoretical perspective, and the symbolic interactionist theoretical perspective.
• Explain the difference between primary groups and secondary groups.
• Assess important implications derived from social divisions based on race/ethnicity, social class, gender, and age.
• Explain how historic social upheavals have resulted in significant social change.