Define sociology as a social science.
Describe the differences between sociology and common sense.
Discuss the development of sociological theory.
Identify the major sociological perspectives.
Compare and contrast functionalism, conflict theory, interactionism, and feminism.
Discuss development of the sociological imagination.
Describe the significance of social inequality.
Discuss the connections between sociology and social policy throughout the world.
WHAT IS SOCIOLOGY?
The Sociological Imagination
Sociology and the Social Sciences
Sociology and Common Sense
WHAT IS SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY?
THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIOLOGY
Early Thinkers
Émile Durkheim
Max Weber
Karl Marx
Modern Developments
MAJOR THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES
Functionalist Perspective
Conflict Perspective
Interactionist Perspective
The Sociological Approach
APPLIED AND CLINICAL SOCIOLOGY
DEVELOPING A SOCIOLOGICAL IMAGINATION
Theory in Practice
Research in Action
Thinking Globally
The Significance of Social Inequality
Speaking across Race, Gender, and Religious Boundaries
Social Policy throughout the World
APPENDIX: CAREERS IN SOCIOLOGY
------------------------------------------------------Define the scientific method.
Discuss formulating the hypothesis.
Describe the processes of collecting and analyzing research data.
Define validity and reliability in research.
Describe the various research methods used by sociologists.
Discuss the ethics of social research.
Describe the impact of technology on research.
Discuss sociological efforts to understand sexual behavior.
WHAT IS THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD?
Defining the Problem
Reviewing the Literature
Formulating the Hypothesis
Collecting and Analyzing Data
Developing the Conclusion
In Summary: The Scientific Method
MAJOR RESEARCH DESIGNS
Surveys
Observation
Experiments
Use of Existing Sources
ETHICS OF RESEARCH
Confidentiality
Research Funding
Value Neutrality
TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIOLOGICAL RESEARCH
SOCIAL POLICY AND SOCIOLOGICAL RESEARCH: STUDYING HUMAN SEXUALITY
APPENDIX I: USING STATISTICS, TABLES, AND GRAPHS
APPENDIX II: WRITING A RESEARCH REPORT
-------------------------------------------------------------------Define the term culture.
Describe the various cultural universals.
Define and discuss globalization.
Define sociobiology, and discuss how social scientists view it.
Discuss the various elements of culture.
Discuss the various cultural variations.
Define ethnocentrism.
Define and discuss cultural relativism.
Discuss the controversies surrounding bilingualism.
CULTURE AND SOCIETY
DEVELOPMENT OF CULTURE AROUND THE WORLD
Cultural Universals
Innovation
Globalization, Diffusion, and Technology
Biological Bases of Culture
ELEMENTS OF CULTURE
Language
Norms
Sanctions
Values
CULTURE AND THE DOMINANT IDEOLOGY
CASE STUDY: CULTURE AT WAL-MART
CULTURAL VARIATION
Aspects of Cultural Variation
Attitudes toward Cultural Variation
SOCIAL POLICY AND CULTURE: BILINGUALISM
-----------------------------------------------------------------------Define social interaction and social reality.
Identify and discuss the various elements of social structure.
Discuss the differences between ascribed and achieved statuses.
Identify and describe role conflict, role strain, and role exit.
Discuss the impact of social networks on social relationships.
Analyze the importance of social institutions using the three major sociological perspectives.
Discuss the importance of social structure from a global perspective.
Describe the social policy implications of regulating the Internet.
SOCIAL INTERACTION AND REALITY
ELEMENTS OF SOCIAL STRUCTURE
Statuses
Social Roles
Groups
Social Networks
Social Institutions
SOCIAL STRUCTURE IN GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
Durkheim's Mechanical and Organic Solidarity
Tönnies's Gemeinschaft and Gellschaft
Lenski's Sociolcultural Evolution Approach
SOCIAL POLICY AND SOCIAL INTERACTION: REGULATING THE NET
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Define McDonaldization.
Describe the various types of groups.
Discuss the association between group size and social relations.
Discuss formal organizations.
Describe the various characteristics of a bureaucracy.
Discuss voluntary associations and their impact on social relations.
Describe how today's workplace is changing.
Discuss the nature of unions in the United States today.
UNDERSTANDING GROUPS
Types of Groups
Studying Small Groups
UNDERSTANDING ORGANIZATIONS
Formal Organizations and Bureaucracies
Characteristics of a Bureaucracy
Bureaucracy and Organizational Culture
CASE STUDY: BUREAUCRACY AND THE SPACE SHUTTLE COLUMBIA
THE CHANGING WORKPLACE
Organizational Restructuring
Telecommuting
Electronic Communication
VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATIONS
THE CHANGING WORKPLACE
Organizational Restructuring
Telecommuting Electronic Communication
SOCIAL POLICY AND ORGANIZATIONS: THE STATE OF THE UNIONS