Course Learning Outcomes
Module (Chapter)
Learning Outcomes
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Foundations of Sociology: Define sociology
and explain how empirical research is used 
to study the social world
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Culture and Society: Differentiate between
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culture and society, describe the basic
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elements of culture, and compare types of 
societies.
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Socialization and Interaction: Describe
socialization throughout the life course and
understand how groups structure society.
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Define sociology and describe the historical and social
context from which it emerged
Explain the sociological imagination and the
relationship between the individual and the broader
workings of society
Differentiate between the three main theoretical
paradigms/perspectives in sociology
Describe and apply the scientific method to sociology
Identify and differentiate between types of research
methods, discussing the benefits and limitations of each
Define culture, society, cultural universals, and cultural
relativism
Describe the basic elements of culture
Examine pop culture, subculture, and cultural change
Describe of the evolution of societies
Contrast the various theoretical perspectives on culture
society
Explain how society shapes reality
Describe theories of self-development
Describe the roles that agents of socialization play in
the socialization process and describe how socialization
develops across the life course
Define types of groups and describe how group
dynamics are impacted by leadership, size, and
conformity
Describe characteristics of formal organizations
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Define deviance and methods of social control
Contrast the varying theoretical perspectives on
deviance
Describe the criminal justice system and types of crimes
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Provide examples of social stratification
Describe social stratification and mobility in the United
States
Explain global stratification and classification systems
Compare poverty throughout the world and explain its
consequences
Describe theoretical perspectives on social stratification
Deviance and Crime: Define deviance and
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describe the sociological theories that
account for deviance, conformity and social
control
Social Stratification and Inequality:
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Describe various measures of social
stratification in the US and globally, with an
emphasis on social class and poverty
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Race and Ethnicity: Compare relative
experiences of ethnic groups in the United
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States while demonstrating an understanding
of race, ethnicity, majority and minority
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groups, stereotypes, prejudice,
discrimination, and racism.
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Gender, Sex, and Sexuality: Discuss gender
and gender identity, feminism, and sexuality
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Define and differentiate between race, ethnicity,
majority groups/minority groups, stereotypes, prejudice,
and discrimination
Summarize the key ideas behind the three theoretical
perspectives on racial inequality
Compare and contrast the experiences of ethnic groups
in the United States
Differentiate between sex and gender, define sexual
orientation, and understand gender identity
Describe the socialization of gender and gender
inequality
Explain sexual attitudes and practices
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Define and describe marriage and family
Recognize variations in family life
Describe the social and interpersonal impacts of family
challenges
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Explain how major sociological perspectives view
religion
Explain the basic tenets of major world religions
Describe religion in the United States
Examine educational differences around the world
Examine the major theoretical perspectives on
education
Identify and discuss historical and contemporary issues
in education
Marriage and Family: Discuss family,
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marriage and the variations in family life,
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including marriage, divorce and family
abuse
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Religion and Education: Describe the role
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that religion and education play in shaping
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values and beliefs, and compare various 
religions and educational practices around
the world.
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Health and Aging: Demonstrate an
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understanding of the social construction of
health, and describe the processes and
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challenges associated with growing old
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Define and differentiate between power and authority
Describe forms of government and explain politics in
the United States
Describe the varying theoretical Perspectives on
Government and Power
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Differentiate between economic systems and discuss
theoretical views of economics
Define globalization and describe its manifestation in
modern society
Describe working conditions in the United States
Government and Politics: Analyze types of
power and authority and explore the
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political process in the United States.
Work and the Economy: Discuss the
historical development of the types of
economic systems and describe modern
economies and globalization
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Population, Urbanization, and the
Environment: Describe the nature and
growth of population and the resultant
impacts on the environment.
Describe the social construction of health and the
theoretical perspectives on health and medicine
Compare and contrast health care in the United States
and abroad and describe major health disparities and
issues within the United States
Evaluate the aging of society and summarize the
theoretical perspectives on aging
Examine the process of aging and the biological, social,
and psychological changes and perceptions associated
with growing old
Describe and give examples of challenges facing the
elderly
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Social Movements, Media, and Technology:
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Summarize the nature and influence of
collective behavior and social movements, 
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and assess the impact of the media and
technology on social change
Describe demographic measurements, read population
graphs, and describe demographic theories
Describe the growth of cities and the process of
urbanization
Understand the impact of climate change and pollution
on the environment and society
Describe the causes and development of collective
behavior, social movements, and social change
Describe technology in a sociological context
Describe the evolution and role of the media in society
Understand and discuss how we analyze media and
technology through various sociological perspectives