Introduction to Sociology, Spring 2006

This course involves the study of human interaction in social entities ranging from small groups to large-scale societies. It involves, as well, the study of the impact—conscious and otherwise—of social group and category membership on individual and collective human behavior. As such, its overarching goal is the development in students of a sociological consciousness—the optimum awareness of the social element in human thought and action.

Objectives include the development of the following:

·        Student awareness of the various viewpoints regarding the relationship between human beings and social forces (i.e., the major sociological paradigms)

·        Student knowledge of basic concepts and methods of the discipline of sociology

·        Student knowledge of basic facts and sociological viewpoints relative to social inequality, social movements and change

·        Student application of sociological awareness to phenomena under study

·        Student ability to articulate sociological awareness and understanding of facts, both verbally and in writing, and to do so in a cooperative, respectful and socially responsible way