Self & Society: Introduction to Sociology

Catalog description

Sociology focuses on the systematic understanding of the way self-identity, social interaction, social organization, social institutions, and social change occur in western societies like the United States. Major themes in sociological thinking include the interplay between the individual and society, how society is both stable and changing, the causes and consequences of social inequality, and the social construction of human life. Therefore, it can be said that sociology is the study of social actions, relations, and roles for both individuals and groups, researched through inductive analysis of case studies and generalizations. Understanding sociology helps us discover and explain social patterns and see how such patterns change over time and in different settings, in interaction with different people and groups. Through analyzing, discussing and writing about the social basis of everyday life, sociology also develops our ability for critical thinking, by revealing the social structure and processes that shape diverse forms of human life.