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Introduction to Sociology
SOC101 | 3 Credits
Introduction to Sociology gives you a broad broad overview of sociology and how it applies in everyday life. You’ll explore theoretical perspectives and concepts like sociological imagination, culture, deviance, and inequality.
Professor: Dr. Annie L.
About This Course
What You’ll Learn
Introduction to Sociology strives to provide you with a broad overview of sociology and its applications to everyday life. This online course presents major theoretical perspectives and concepts, including sociological imagination, culture, deviance, inequality, social change, and social structure.
- Describe the sociological imagination, theoretical frameworks of sociology, and key events in the sociological timeline.
- Explain the scientific method and ethical considerations in research, differentiating between qualitative and quantitative research methods.
- Define culture and its elements, then explain its evolutionary process over time.
- Define socialization and identify the agents of socialization and summarize key sociological theories of socialization.
- Analyze social structure components and roles. Differentiate group types within societies.
- Define social stratification, summarize theories and explain global stratification and inequality aspects.
- Define sex and gender. Explain inequality based on sex.
- Define race and ethnicity, summarize perspectives and explain prejudice, discrimination, racism.
- Define family, describe structures, and explain challenges faced by families.
- Describe the roles of religion, education, and healthcare in society.
- Describe government, describe economic systems and environmental issues.
- Define collective behavior, describe social movements, and explain processes of social change.
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WANT US TO CHECK?Course Details
In Introduction to Sociology, students explore the influence of social class and social institutions, such as churches, education, healthcare, government, economy, and environment. The family as a social structure is also examined.
ACE-Recommended
ACE Code:
OOSL-0035
Flexible Schedule
28-day Average Course Completion
Transferred 5,500 times
$6,200,000 Saved on Tuition
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites to take Introduction to Sociology.
Course Text
The required eTextbook for this course is included with your course purchase at no additional cost.
- Conerly, T. R., Holmes, K., & Tamang, A. L. (2024). Introduction to Sociology 3e. OpenStax.
Course Checkpoints
Checkpoint 1: The Sociological Perspective
- Checkpoint 1 Overview: The Sociological Perspective & Development of Sociology
- The Meaning of Sociology: What the Subject is About
- Why Study Sociology?
- The History of Sociology: Its Origins and Development into an Academic Discipline
- Structural-Functionalism
- Conflict Theory
- Symbolic Interactionism
- Founding Fathers
- Successive Sociologists
- Checkpoint 1 Conclusion
Checkpoint 2: The Research Process
- Checkpoint 2 Overview: The Research Process
- What is the Scientific Method?
- Steps in Scientific Research Method
- Different Research Methods Used in Social research
- Ethical Concerns in Sociological Research
- Checkpoint 2 Conclusion
Checkpoint 3: Culture and Society
- Checkpoint 3 Overview: Culture and Society
- The Meaning of Culture and Its Types
- Ethnocentrism, Xenocentrism, Cultural Universals, Cultural Relativism
- Values, Beliefs, Norms, Mores, Folkways
- High, Low, Pop, Sub, Counter-culture and Cultural Change
- Checkpoint 3 Conclusion
Checkpoint 4: Socialization
- Checkpoint 4 Overview: Socialization
- Socialization and Its Types
- Agents of Socialization
- Sociological Theories of Self-Development
- Checkpoint 4 Conclusion
Checkpoint 5: Social Structure
- Checkpoint 5 Overview: Social Structure
- Types of Societies: Industrial and Pre-Industrial Societies
- Roles and Status
- Defining a Group
- Types of Groups in a Society
- Formal Organization in a Society
- Deviance
- Social Control
- Checkpoint 5 Conclusion
Checkpoint 6: Social Stratification
- Checkpoint 6 Overview: Social Stratification
- What is Social Stratification and Inequality?
- Structural Functionalism Theory
- Conflict Theory
- Symbolic Interactionism Theory
- Stratification and Mobility
- The Meaning of Global Stratification
- Models of Global Stratification
- Checkpoint 6 Conclusion
Checkpoint 7: Sex and Gender in Society
- Checkpoint 7 Overview: Sex and Gender in Society
- Terms Associated with Sex and Gender: Sex, Gender, Identity, Expression, Sexuality
- Gender and Socialization
- Social Stratification Based on Gender
- Feminism: A Movement for Change
- Checkpoint 7 Conclusion
Checkpoint 8: Race and Ethnicity in Society
- Checkpoint 8 Overview: Race and Ethnicity in Society
- Meaning of the Terms Race, Ethnic, and Minority Groups
- Functionalism, Interactionism, Conflict, Intersectionality
- Prejudice
- Discrimination
- Racism
- Checkpoint 8 Conclusion
Checkpoint 9: Social Institutions - The Family
- Checkpoint 9 Overview: Social Institutions: The Family
- Describing Family and Marriage
- Variation in Family Types: Nuclear, Single, Blended, and Foster Families
- Same Sex Couples, Cohabitation, and Staying Single
- Divorce and Remarriage
- Violence and Abuse
- Checkpoint 9 Conclusion
Checkpoint 10: Social Institutions - Religion, Education, and Health Care
- Checkpoint 10 Overview: Social Institutions: Religion, Education, and Health Care
- Sociological Approach to Religion
- Theoretical Perspectives on Religion
- World Religions
- Education Around the World
- Theoretical Perspectives on Education
- Issues in Education
- The Social Construction of Health
- Theoretical Perspectives on Health
- Health in the USA
- Checkpoint 10 Conclusion
Checkpoint 11: Social Institutions - Government, Economy, and the Environment
- Checkpoint 11 Overview: Social Institutions: Government, Economy, and the Environment
- The Meaning of Government
- Power and Authority
- Forms of Government
- Politics in the USA
- Meaning and Types of Economic Systems
- Globalization and the Economy
- The Environment and Society
- Urbanization
- Checkpoint 11 Conclusion
Checkpoint 12: Social Change
- Checkpoint 12 Overview: Social Change
- Meaning and Types of Collective Behavior
- Introduction to Social Movements and Social Change
- Types of Social Movements
- Stages of Social Movements
- Theoretical Perspectives on Social Movements
- Meaning and Causes of Social Change
- Checkpoint 12 Conclusion
Checkpoint 13: Psychological Disorders
- What are Psychological Disorders?
- Types of Psychological Disorders-I
- Types of Psychological Disorders-II
- Mental Health Treatment: Past and Present
- Types of Treatments and Modalities: Part 1
- Types of Treatments and Modalities: Part 2
- Checkpoint 13 Practice
Checkpoint 14: Social Psychology
- What is Social Psychology?
- Social Role and Influence
- Attitudes and Persuasion
- Conformity, Compliance, and Obedience
- Prejudice and Discrimination
- Aggression and Prosocial Behavior
- Checkpoint 14 Practice
Assignments & Grading
Your score provides a percentage score and letter grade for each course. A passing percentage is 70% or higher.
Assignments for this course include:
- 12 Checkpoints
- 2 Capstones
- 4 Benchmarks
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- Basic computer skills
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Course Professor
Dr. Annie L
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Students who enrolled also took:
Introduction to Communication
1st attempt pass rate: 96%
Avg Days to Complete: 29
3 credits
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Make Your Impact in a Social Sciences Career
Sociology is all about the study of society — a valuable field of study for understanding the structures, interactions, and problems that touch every part of our lives. Even if you don’t plan to work as a sociologist or psychologist, sociology can be a great foundation for majors like anthropology, political science, and economics.
Why it matters:
- Considering a job as a mental health counselor? New jobs are expected to grow 5x faster than average, 19% between 2023–2032
- People who work in social sciences have higher potential earnings and lower unemployment than average.
In-demand careers in this field include:
Licensed Therapist, Social Worker, Public Health Analyst, Urban Planner, Diversity Officer, Sociologist, Case Manager, Policy Analyst, Research Coordinator
How this course sets you up for success:
Sociology will be valuable in any role that studies people or societies. You’ll learn about human behavior on a societal scale and get a better grasp of why things happen the way that they do.
Course included in Unlimited Plans
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