SOCIOLOGY
CURRICULUM
COURSE DESCRIPTION
During this one semester course, students study human social behavior from a group perspective,
including recurring patterns of attitudes and actions and how these patterns vary across time, among
cultures, and in social groups. Students examine society, group behavior, and social structures, as well
as the impact of cultural change on society, through research methods using scientific inquiry.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
DESIRED RESULTS
Students will be able to:
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Describe the development of Sociology as a social science
Identify method and strategies of research
Identify how social status influences individual and group behaviors
Describe the impact of social groups on individual and group behavior
Identify the effects of social institutions on individual and group behavior
Explain the changing nature of society
Analyze a range of social problems in today’s world
Identify the role of the individual as a member of the community
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
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What is Sociology?
What are the various types of research methods used in Sociology?
What are the differences between a culture and a society?
How does social status affect social order?
What are the major characteristics of the social groups to which you belong?
What are the basic social institutions?
How and why have societies changed over time?
What are the traditions, roles, and expectations necessary for a community to continue?
INDIANA STATE STANDARDS
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Standard 1 — Foundations of Sociology as a Social Science
Standard 2 — Culture
Standard 3 — Social Status
Standard 4 — Social Groups
Standard 5 — Social Institutions
Standard 6 — Social Change
Standard 7 — Social Problems
Standard 8 — Individual and Community
KEY TERMS AND CONCEPTS
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Sociology
Family
Culture
Conformity
Diversity
Status
Theory
Social Science
APPLICATIONS OF TECHNOLOGY
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Internet for research
Safari Montage
UNITS OF INSTRUCTION (STATE STANDARDS)
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Culture and Social Structure (Standards 1,2, and 4)
The Individual in Society (Standards 4 and 7)
Social Inequality (Standard 3)
Social Institutions (Standard 5)
The Changing Social World (Standards 6 and 8)
COURSE ASSESSMENTS
STUDENT PRODUCTS FOR ASSESSMENT
 Daily preparedness for class discussion
 Quizzes
 Vocabulary
 Written Assignments
 Section Review Activities
 Study Guides
 Tests
 Final exam
TIMELINE
Weeks 1, 2, 3, and 4 – Culture and Social Structure
 Introduction to course, read chapter 1, discuss and copy notes for sections 1-2, complete
vocabulary, complete section review activity, complete study guide, test. Standards 1.1, 1.2,
1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 1.10, 1.11
 Read chapter 2, discuss and copy notes for sections 1-2, complete vocabulary, complete
study guide, test. Standards 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7
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Read chapter 3, discuss and copy notes for sections 1-4, complete vocabulary, complete
section review activities, complete study guide, test. Standards 2.1, 2.2, 2.4, 2.8, 2.9, 2.10,
2.11, 2.12, 2.13
Read chapter 4, discus and copy notes for sections 1-5, complete vocabulary, complete
section review activities, complete study guide, test. Standards 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6,
4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13
Weeks 5, 6, 7, 8 – The Individual in Society
 Read chapter 5, discuss and copy notes for sections 1-3, complete vocabulary, complete
study guide, test. Standards 4.1
 Read chapter 6, discuss and copy notes for sections 1-3, complete vocabulary, take section
quiz, complete study guide, test. Standards 4.2, 4.4, 4.5
 Read chapter 8, discuss and copy notes for sections 1-2, complete vocabulary, complete
study guide, test. Standards 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8
Week 9 – Social Inequality
 Read chapter 9, discuss and copy notes for sections 1-3, complete vocabulary, complete
section review activities, complete study guide, test. Standards 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5
Weeks 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 – Social Institutions
 Read chapter 12, discuss and copy notes for sections 1-2, complete vocabulary, complete
study guide, test. Standards 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4
 Read chapter 13, discuss and copy notes for sections 1-2, complete vocabulary, complete
section review activities, complete study guide, test. Standards 5.1, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6
 Read chapter 14, discuss and copy notes for sections 1-2, complete vocabulary, take section
quiz, complete study guide, test. Standards 5.1, 5.2, 5.4, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9
 Read chapter 15, discuss and copy notes for sections 1-2, complete vocabulary, complete
study guide, test. Standards 5.1, 5.3, 5.6, 5.10, 5.11, 5.12, 5.13
Weeks 15, 16, 17 – The Changing Social World
 Read chapter 16, discuss and copy notes for sections 1-2, complete vocabulary, complete
section review activities, complete study guide, test. Standards 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6,
6.7, 6.8, 6.9, 6.10, 6.11, 6.12
 Read chapter 17, discuss and copy notes for sections 1-2, complete vocabulary, complete
study guide, test. Standards 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.7, 8.8
 Read chapter 18, discuss and copy notes for sections 1-2, complete vocabulary, complete
section review activities, complete study guide, test. Standards 8.1, 8.2, 8.4, 8.6, 8.9, 8.10,
8.11
Week 18 – Comprehensive Final Exam
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COURSE MATERIALS: MAJOR TEXTS, PRINCIPAL MATERIALS AND FILMS
KEY TEXTS:
Semester One
Sociology: The Study of Human Relationships
Publisher: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston
SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS:
Semester One
* Parents should contact the teacher or department chair to discuss concerns with texts. If required, the teacher will
provide a substitute text of comparable length that approximates the stated academic purpose. Selected essays, short
stories, poems and articles will be used to teachers to augment major units.
COMMERCIAL FILMS/VIDEOS:
Teachers may select from the following:
Semester One
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Selected videos from Safari Montage
OTHER FILMS/VIDEOS *
Semester One
*A parent may excuse his/her child from the viewing of a commercial film/video. The parent should contact the teacher or
Department Chair to discuss his/her concerns. The teacher will provide any excused student an alternative assignment
of comparable length that is relevant to the stated academic purpose.
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