Academic Catalog

SOC 1: INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Summer 2022
Units: 5
Hours: 5 lecture per week (60 total per quarter)
Advisory: Not open to students with credit in SOC 1H.
Degree & Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Area IV: Social & Behavioral Sciences
Transferable: CSU/UC
Grade Type: Letter Grade (Request for Pass/No Pass)
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Students will identify the two main component parts or features of the sociological imagination.
  • Students will demonstrate an understanding of why the sociological imagination is sociologically significant.
  • Students will identify the basis of the scientific method.
  • Students will identify the leading components or indicators of methodology.
  • Students will identify two of the most important ideas in Sociology as a field of study.
  • Student will explain how two major ideas in Sociology as a field of study help them in their everyday lives.

Description

Introduction to the field of sociology; the scientific study of human society and the contemporary world, and the interaction of individuals and groups in society. Analysis of major theories, concepts, methods, social institutions, and social processes. Development of a sociological imagination and social context analysis. Society in its social class, racial and gendered dynamics.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:

  1. Explore the relationship between social theories and the scientific study of society.
  2. Relate current social issues such as war, poverty, crime, prejudice, drug addiction to theoretical models and research studies.
  3. Demonstrate competency in sociological concepts, apply same in critically analyzing selected subtopics.
  4. Account for differences in sociological schools and corresponding social research methods and techniques employed.
  5. Recapitulate examples of social change and social processes using sociological models.
  6. Relate cultural diversity issues to subtopics including prejudice and discrimination.
  7. Demonstrate a global understanding of society via the study of demography and multicultural comparisons.
  8. Account for social conflict and tensions through theoretical analysis of social organization, social integration and social change.
  9. Demonstrate effective reading, writing, and critical thinking skills.

Course Content

  1. Introduction
    1. Basic concepts and perspectives: Micro and macro study
    2. Early European and contemporary American theories
    3. Sociology as scientific discipline compared to other fields of scientific inquiry
  2. Research methods and models
    1. Statistical analysis verses other paradigms
    2. Ethical and legal issues and constraints
  3. Culture and social structure
    1. Influence of language and social norms
    2. Cognitive, normative and material components
    3. Culture variation and ethnocentrism
    4. Status/role patterns and social processes
  4. Socialization
    1. Total learning process and self-awareness
    2. Social and psychological approaches
    3. Life cycle developments and changes
    4. Resocialization techniques and effects
  5. Social stratification
    1. Factors of classification and evaluation
    2. Classical studies and theories on class distinction
  6. Human associations
    1. Informal (emotional) and formal (instrumental) groups
    2. Primary relationships versus bureaucracy
    3. Collective behavior comparisons of relatively structured situations
    4. Emotional contagion and types of crowds and masses
  7. Human demography and ecology
    1. Demographic concepts and theories
    2. Population transition and change
    3. Ecological processes and human impact on ecosystem
  8. Applications of sociological elements and principles to major institutions
    1. Law and deviance
    2. Family
    3. Religion
    4. Education
  9. Ethnic pluralism and minority group relations
    1. Cultural diversity and conflict
    2. Acculturation/assimilation processes
    3. Prejudice and discrimination
  10. Analysis of social change
    1. Major community, economic and political trends
    2. Social movements
    3. Historical changes and social consequences

Lab Content

Not applicable.

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

When taught as an online distance learning section, students and faculty need ongoing and continuous internet and email access.

Method(s) of Evaluation

Methods of Evaluation may include but are not limited to the following:

Class discussions
Active learning exercises
Oral presentations
Critical essay(s)
Examinations or quizzes

Method(s) of Instruction

Methods of Instruction may include but are not limited to the following:

Lecture
Discussion
Oral presentations
Electronic discussions/chat

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

Anderson, Margaret, and Howard Taylor. Sociology: The Essentials. 2020.

Macionis, John J.. Sociology, 16th ed.. 2021.

Ferguson, Susan. Mapping the Social Landscape: Readings in Sociology. 2021.

Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing, and Outside of Class Assignments

  1. College level readings from primary and secondary sources
  2. College level writing assignments based on primary and secondary source reflection and/or analysis

Discipline(s)

Sociology