Salem Community College Course Syllabus
Course Title: Introduction To Sociology
Course Code:
SOC 101
Lecture Hours:
Laboratory Hours:
Credits:
3
0
3
Course Description:
This course covers the fundamental concepts and methods of the scientific study of
group behavior: institutional foundations of group life; social roles and interpersonal
relations, and values and social processes. Students also relate sociological
principles to current social issues and to comparable principles in other cultures.
Place in College Curriculum:
This course is a requirement for social science majors. It is a social
science elective for others.
Prerequisite: None
Co-Requisite: ENG 98 if required
Date of Last Revision:
Course Outline:
Week #
Chapter # / Test #
Week 1:
Introduction to Course and Chapter 1: Perspective and Research
Week 2:
Chapter 2: Culture
Week 3:
Chapter 3 & 4: Socialization
Week 4:
Chapter 7: Global
Week 5:
Test #1 and Healthcare (no corresponding chapter)
Week 6:
Healthcare cont.
Week 7:
Chapter 11: Economy and Politics
Week 8:
Chapter 8: Stratification
Week 9:
Test #2 and Chapter 5: Social Networks
Week 10:
Chapter 6: Deviance
Week 11:
Chapter 10: Sex and Gender
Week 12:
Chapter 9: Ethnicity and the Elderly
Week 13:
Test 3: Chapter 12: Marriage
Week 14:
Chapter 13: Education and Religion
Week 15:
Test #4
Course Performance Objective #1
Identify the methods used in the study of society and group behavior as well as the most common theoretical
models.
Learning Outcomes: The student will:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Define sociology and distinguish it from other social sciences.
Identify the three social behaviors Durkheim found to be influenced by social factors.
Define the focus of the functional perspective and name two functional theorists.
Define the focus of the conflict perspective and name one conflict theorist.
Identify one modern social theory.
Identify the difference between subjective and objective data collection.
Name the five steps in the research process.
Identify three types of research bias.
List five types of research methodology.
Identify the four major ethical considerations in research.
Course Performance Objective #2
Examine the internalization of values and the impact of social groups on the self in society.
Learning Outcomes: The student will:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Define culture.
List the five institutions found in every society and describe the manifest and latent functions of each one.
Define cultural relativity and cultural universals.
Differentiate between ethnocentrism, xenocentrism and chauvinism.
Identify three types of social norms.
Differentiate between subcultures and countercultures.
Identify the four principles of Calvinism and their impact on Capitalism.
Discuss Marx' conflict model.
Create a personal genogram.
Define norms and values.
Define anomie.
Differentiate between exchange theory and the theory of reciprocity.
Differentiate between cooperation, competition and conflict.
List Weber's six characteristics of a bureaucracy.
Course Performance Objective #3
Describe the development of the social self and the response of individuals to unsuccessful attainment of
societal norms.
Learning Outcomes: The student will:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
List three effects of social isolation.
Name the four major agents of socialization in the U.S.
List four theories of development of self.
Name three agents of social control.
Discuss how norms are established.
Discuss the functional necessity of deviance.
Discuss the stigma of mental illness.
Name three models of how norms become law.
Name the two major sources used to measure crime.
List five types of criminal behavior.
Name three responses to total institutionalization.
Differentiate between the juvenile justice systems and the adult system.
Course Performance Objective #4
Use critical thinking skills to assess the current stratification system in American and possible social outcomes
of that system.
Learning Outcomes: The student will:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Name three determinants of social power as defined by Weber.
Name the three determinants of socioeconomic status used to determine stratification.
List the programs provided for in the welfare budget.
Discuss the major problems within the welfare system.
Name three projected welfare reform programs.
Name the four reasons why, according to the functional perspective, poverty is useful in society.
Course Performance Objective #5
Describe how achieved and ascribed characteristics influence social worth and unequal treatment.
Learning Outcomes: The student will:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Explain the role of sexual scripts.
List the three distinct periods of sexual history in the U.S. prior to 1970.
Compare the sexual behavior of teens in the U.S. to teens in other industrialized countries.
Name three types of sexual violence.
Differentiate between sex and gender.
Describe how age is used as a determinant of status.
Differentiate between minority and majority status in society.
Define prejudice and discrimination.
List four current major issues concerning Afro-Americans.
Define the purpose of religion in society.
Define civil religion.
Distinguish between the sacred and profane.
Distinguish between secular and religion.
Relate Christian denominations to socio-economic status.
Define fundamentalism, Pentecostal and evangelical.
Course Performance Objective #6
Examine the concept of structural differentiation whereby the institutional spheres essential to the survival of
society become more complex and distant from one another.
Learning Outcomes: The student will:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
Define three types of economic systems.
Explain the role of unions in modern society.
Name three types of power.
Define the role of politics in society from the functionalist perspective.
List three ways all governments manipulate public opinion.
Name the three types of social control.
Define military-industrial complex.
Differentiate between power-elite and pluralist models.
Define the manifest function of education.
Define meritocracy.
Explain the difference in education in urban, suburban and rural settings.
List five proposals for changing the educational system in the U.S.
Define the link between health and illness and the level of economic development.
Explain how socio-economic status, age gender and education affect health care.
Define the medical model.
Differentiate between the professional model of health care and socialized medicine.
Course Performance Objective #7
Identify the traditional functions of marriage and family in society and identify changes in both: Describe
forces, which influence violent or dysfunctional behavior in families.
Learning Outcomes: The student will:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Name five functions of the family.
Name five functions of marriage.
Discuss the concept of the exchange theory and reciprocity in relationships.
Identify trends in modern marriage in the U.S.
Identify five reasons for violence in the family.
Differentiate between nuclear and extended family.
List factors which influence marital success.
Course Performance Objective #8
Identify mechanisms and consequences of social change and critically examine the values, beliefs and
institutions within society in order to become effective agents of social reform when necessary.
Learning Outcomes: The student will:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Name three sources of demographic information.
Define zero population growth and the consequences on society.
Differentiate between immigrant and emigrant.
Determine the major factor in population growth.
Define carrying capacity.
Define greenhouse effect.
Define gentrification.
Name three conditions necessary for the growth of a city.
Define white flight.
Define popular culture.
Explain the theory of production of culture.
List three forms of transmission of popular culture.
Define stacking in professional sports.
Define nationalism.
List five major trends in society today.
Section IV
General Education Requirements: General Education requirements covered in Sociology 101 are
communication, technology, social science, history, diversity and ethical reasoning.
Section V
Outcomes Assessment:
A college-wide outcomes assessment program has been put into place to enhance the quality and
effectiveness of the curriculum and programs at Salem Community College. As part of this assessment
program, the learning outcomes for this course will be assessed. Assessment methods may include tests,
quizzes, papers, reports, projects and other instruments. Copies of all outcomes assessments are available
in an electronic assessment bank maintained by the Institutional Research and Planning Office.
Section VI
Course Activities: Activities consist of lecture, research and discussion.
Course Requirements and Means of Evaluation:
Please refer to the instructor’s syllabus addendum (to be distributed in class) for specific information
regarding the course requirements and means of evaluation.
Attendance Policy:
Regular and prompt attendance in all classes is expected of students. Students absent from class for any
reason are responsible for making up any missed work. Faculty members establish an attendance policy
for each course and it is the student’s responsibility to honor and comply with that policy.
Academic Honesty Policy:
Students found to have committed an act of academic dishonesty may be subject to failure of this course,
academic probation, and / or suspension from the college. See the Student Handbook for additional
details.
ADA Statement:
If you have a 504 Accommodation Plan, please discuss it with your instructor. If you have any disability
but have not documented it with the Disability Support coordinator at Salem Community college, you
must do so to be eligible for accommodations. To contact the Disability Support Coordinator, call 856351-2773, or email disabilitysupport@salemcc.edu to set up an appointment. To find out more
information about disability support services at Salem Community College, visit
www.salemcc.edu/students/student-success-programs/disability-support.
Section VII
Required Text(s):
Sociology: A Down to Earth Approach; Henslein, James; 11 ed.; Pearson
Optional Text(s): none
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Additional Costs:
none