Sociology

Introduction to Sociology

HEAEWC5G · 21 modules

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the sociological perspective, equipping students with the conceptual tools and methods sociologists use to understand human social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Students will explore foundational theories, research methods, and core concepts such as culture, socialization, deviance, stratification, and social institutions, while examining how these forces shape individual experience and social structure across diverse societies. Special attention is given to inequality along lines of class, race, gender, and age, as well as to the institutions—family, religion, education, government, economy, and health care—that organize social life. By grounding abstract concepts in real-world examples, current events, and cross-cultural comparisons, this textbook helps students develop a 'sociological imagination'—the ability to connect personal experiences to broader social and historical forces. Students will learn to critically evaluate research claims, analyze social patterns using multiple theoretical perspectives (functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism), and apply sociological reasoning to contemporary social issues such as globalization, technological change, and social movements. This course is valuable for students in any field because it builds critical thinking skills, cultural competency, and an evidence-based understanding of social institutions and inequality—skills applicable to careers in business, healthcare, education, public policy, social work, journalism, and beyond. No prior background in sociology is assumed; this is a foundational, general-education level course.

Prerequisites

None. This is an introductory, general-education course requiring no prior coursework in sociology or the social sciences.

Module Outline

21 modules

An Introduction to Sociology
Introduces the sociological perspective, the sociological imagination, and the major theoretical paradigms used throughout the course.
Sociological Research
Covers the scientific method as applied to social research, including major research methods, ethics, and data interpretation.
Culture
Explores the elements of culture, cultural diversity, ethnocentrism, and cultural change.
Society and Social Interaction
Examines types of societies, social structure, statuses and roles, and theories of social interaction.
Socialization
Covers agents of socialization, theories of self-development, and socialization across the life course.
Groups and Organization
Analyzes types of social groups, group dynamics, formal organizations, and bureaucracy.
Deviance, Crime, and Social Control
Explores theories of deviance and crime, the criminal justice system, and mechanisms of social control.
Media and Technology
Examines the relationship between media, technology, and society, including the digital divide and social media's impact.
Social Stratification in the United States
Covers systems of stratification, social class, poverty, and social mobility within the U.S.
Global Inequality
Examines global stratification, models of global inequality, and theories explaining global development and poverty.
Race and Ethnicity
Explores the social construction of race and ethnicity, prejudice, discrimination, and intergroup relations.
Gender, Sex, and Sexuality
Examines the social construction of gender, sexuality, gender inequality, and LGBTQ+ social experiences.
Aging and the Elderly
Covers theories of aging, the social and economic challenges facing elderly populations, and aging across cultures.
Relationships, Marriage, and Family
Explores family structures, marriage patterns, divorce, and changing family forms across cultures.
Religion
Examines theoretical perspectives on religion, types of religious organizations, and religious diversity and change.
Education: A Sociological Perspective
Analyzes the social functions of education, theories of schooling, and inequality in educational access and outcomes.
Government and Politics
Explores power, authority, political systems, and theories of political participation and control.
Work and the Economy
Covers economic systems, the changing nature of work, globalization, and labor market inequality.
Health and Medicine
Examines sociological perspectives on health, illness, disability, and health care systems and disparities.
Population, Urbanization, and the Environment
Explores demographic theory, patterns of urbanization, and the relationship between society and the environment.
Social Movements and Social Change
Integrates theories from across the course to analyze the causes and dynamics of social movements, then challenges students to design a comprehensive sociological analysis of an emerging, unfamiliar social issue using multiple theoretical perspectives and evidence.

Sociology

Introduction to Sociology

HEAEWC5G · 21 modules

Prerequisites

None. This is an introductory, general-education course requiring no prior coursework in sociology or the social sciences.

Module Outline

21 modules

An Introduction to Sociology
Introduces the sociological perspective, the sociological imagination, and the major theoretical paradigms used throughout the course.
Sociological Research
Covers the scientific method as applied to social research, including major research methods, ethics, and data interpretation.
Culture
Explores the elements of culture, cultural diversity, ethnocentrism, and cultural change.
Society and Social Interaction
Examines types of societies, social structure, statuses and roles, and theories of social interaction.
Socialization
Covers agents of socialization, theories of self-development, and socialization across the life course.
Groups and Organization
Analyzes types of social groups, group dynamics, formal organizations, and bureaucracy.
Deviance, Crime, and Social Control
Explores theories of deviance and crime, the criminal justice system, and mechanisms of social control.
Media and Technology
Examines the relationship between media, technology, and society, including the digital divide and social media's impact.
Social Stratification in the United States
Covers systems of stratification, social class, poverty, and social mobility within the U.S.
Global Inequality
Examines global stratification, models of global inequality, and theories explaining global development and poverty.
Race and Ethnicity
Explores the social construction of race and ethnicity, prejudice, discrimination, and intergroup relations.
Gender, Sex, and Sexuality
Examines the social construction of gender, sexuality, gender inequality, and LGBTQ+ social experiences.
Aging and the Elderly
Covers theories of aging, the social and economic challenges facing elderly populations, and aging across cultures.
Relationships, Marriage, and Family
Explores family structures, marriage patterns, divorce, and changing family forms across cultures.
Religion
Examines theoretical perspectives on religion, types of religious organizations, and religious diversity and change.
Education: A Sociological Perspective
Analyzes the social functions of education, theories of schooling, and inequality in educational access and outcomes.
Government and Politics
Explores power, authority, political systems, and theories of political participation and control.
Work and the Economy
Covers economic systems, the changing nature of work, globalization, and labor market inequality.
Health and Medicine
Examines sociological perspectives on health, illness, disability, and health care systems and disparities.
Population, Urbanization, and the Environment
Explores demographic theory, patterns of urbanization, and the relationship between society and the environment.
Social Movements and Social Change
Integrates theories from across the course to analyze the causes and dynamics of social movements, then challenges students to design a comprehensive sociological analysis of an emerging, unfamiliar social issue using multiple theoretical perspectives and evidence.