Introduction to Sociology

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

MAC Critical Thinking & Inquiry in the Social & Behavioral Sciences

• Critically analyze claims, arguments, artifacts or information.

• Construct coherant, evidence based arguments.

GSB – Social & Behavioral Sciences Outcomes

• Describe or explain individual behavior or social conditions, contexts, or institutions based on empirical information.

• Analyze individual behavior or social conditions, contexts, or institutions using theories from the social and behavioral sciences.

Course Specific Student Learning Outcomes

• Explain the difference between personal opinion and theoretical insight based on research, and distinguish structural from individualistic explanations of human action.

• Evaluate the appropriateness of sociological theories and research methods for answering different types of empirical questions.

• Classify and discuss sociology as a social science, including its major areas of inquiry.

• Analyze everyday life using the sociological perspective.

• Apply sociology’s three major theoretical approaches to social phenomena.

• Summarize ways in which society and culture shape individual lives and social patterns.

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure	Percentage/Points
Assignments	15%
Discussions	25%
Quizzes	30%
Final Paper/Project	30%

Attendance/Participation:

Attendance and participation support student learning and contribute to success in the course. While attendance is not assigned a direct percentage, missing class may negatively affect a student’s ability to complete inclass assignments, participate in discussions, and perform well on quizzes and the final paper/project.

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

Gould, Kenneth A., and Tammy L. Lewis. Ten Lessons in Introductory Sociology. 3rd edition. Oxford University Press.