SOCI 111H - Introduction to Sociology (Honors)

1. Define sociology and explain the three major theoretical paradigms: structural- functionalist, conflict, and symbolic interactionist.
2. Identify and understand the contributions of theorists such as Comte, Marx, Durkheim, Spencer, Weber, Cooley, and Mead.
3. Illustrate the relationships between theory and research, social science research methods, hypothesis testing, and concepts of validity and reliability.
4. Describe the principal social research methods including the experiment, survey, and participant observation.
5. Develop the skills necessary to read figures, such as tables, charts, graphs, and diagrams.
6. Define and describe such sociological terms as society, culture, socialization, groups, deviance, institutions (e.g. religion, family, education, work, political), social movements, demographics (age, gender, race, ethnicity), social change and social stratification.
7. Describe the processes of socialization, the formation of social structure, and assess the social construction of reality from a multicultural perspective.
8. Describe sociological concepts and their application to everyday living–ways that these concepts facilitate meeting life’s daily challenges.
9. Identify primary institutions and examine how interactions within and between institutions affect our daily lives.
10. Examine and explore contemporary social issues such as diversity, racism, sexism, ageism, classism, and the cultural impact of technology.
11. Examine the impacts of social change on social institutions.
12. Demonstrate advanced skills in analysis, synthesis, and evaluation by integrating information about culture, society, and social institutions from the assigned reader with concepts presented in the textbook
13. Conduct comprehensive research that demonstrates an advanced understanding of contemporary sociological issues.
14. Engage with complex issues that expose them to diverse ideas, peoples, and to interdisciplinary ways of thinking that develop/enhance their critical thinking skills and promote continuous learning outside the classroom.
15. Exhibit dedication and preparation for future undergraduate and graduate studies through examples of leadership and high levels of scholarship.
16. Develop collaboration and camaraderie with students and faculty creating a strong network for mutual, intellectual, and social support.
17. Demonstrate focus, organization, and support that is documented according to expectations, evidence of high level critical thinking, and attention to rhetorical situation.

• Social change
• Social institutions
• Social movements
• Demographics
• Society
• Structural-functionalist, conflict, and symbolic interactionist
• Culture
• Social stratification
• Socialization
• Sociological research and theory
• Groups’
• Contemporary sociological issues
• Deviance
• Theoretical paradigms
• Advanced research methods
• Globalization

Course Addendum - Syllabus (Click to expand)