Courses

After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Compare, contrast, and apply the basic theoretical paradigms of sociology (Structural-Functional, Social-Conflict, and Symbolic-Interaction) and analyze two or more phenomena in society using the three perspectives.
• Identify and define the steps of the research process and evaluate claims (made in the research literature or by the media) in terms of validity, reliability, appropriate research methodology, and practical application.
• Define, identify, and explain culture, socialization, social interaction, groups, and social organization as basic building blocks of society and social experience and to apply this knowledge to explain why people conform to or deviate from societal expectations.
• Explain social stratification using theoretical perspectives to analyze economic, racial/ethnic, and gender inequality in a societal context.
• Explain social structure, provide examples of social structure (both at the macro and micro level), and to be able to express how important social institutions (such as family, religion, education, medicine, and others) shape society and social experience.
• Identify and interpret the impact of basic demographic trends in society and discuss mechanisms of social change.