Introduction to Sociology

Catalog description

This course provides an overview of the field of sociology, focusing on the systematic study of human society and social behavior. The course will cover the foundational theoretical frameworks of Functionalism, Conflict Theory, and Symbolic Interactionism. Students will explore questions such as: “What is culture and how does it affect people?”, “How do we learn to be members of a culture?”, “How can we explore society using scientific methods?”, “How do the systems of race, class, and gender affect societies and individuals?” By the end of the course, students will have a deeper understanding of how societal forces shape individual behaviors and how individuals, in turn, influence society. This knowledge will equip students with a critical perspective on contemporary social issues and the skills to analyze social phenomena.