Sociology in Everyday Life

Course Number:

SOC 204

Transcript Title:

Sociology in Everyday Life

Created:

Aug 16, 2022

Updated:

Jul 17, 2023

Total Credits:

4

Lecture Hours:

40

Lecture / Lab Hours:

0

Lab Hours:

0

Satisfies Cultural Literacy requirement:

Yes

Satisfies General Education requirement:

Yes

Grading Options

A-F, P/NP, Audit

Default Grading Options

A-F

Repeats available for credit:

0

Alignment with Institutional Learning Outcomes

Major

1. Communicate effectively using appropriate reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. (Communication)

Major

2. Creatively solve problems by using relevant methods of research, personal reflection, reasoning, and evaluation of information. (Critical thinking and Problem-Solving)

Not Addressed

3. Extract, interpret, evaluate, communicate, and apply quantitative information and methods to solve problems, evaluate claims, and support decisions in their academic, professional and private lives. (Quantitative Literacy)

Major

4. Use an understanding of cultural differences to constructively address issues that arise in the workplace and community. (Cultural Awareness)

Major

5. Recognize the consequences of human activity upon our social and natural world. (Community and Environmental Responsibility)

To establish an intentional learning environment, Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILOs) require a clear definition of instructional strategies, evidence of recurrent instruction, and employment of several assessment modes.

Major Designation

1. The outcome is addressed recurrently in the curriculum, regularly enough to establish a thorough understanding.
2. Students can demonstrate and are assessed on a thorough understanding of the outcome.
   • The course includes at least one assignment that can be assessed by applying the appropriate CLO rubric.

Minor Designation

1. The outcome is addressed adequately in the curriculum, establishing fundamental understanding.
2. Students can demonstrate and are assessed on a fundamental understanding of the outcome.
   • The course includes at least one assignment that can be assessed by applying the appropriate CLO rubric.

Suggested Outcome Assessment Strategies

The determination of assessment strategies is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: writings (journals, self-reflections, pre writing exercises, essays), quizzes, tests, midterm and final exams, group projects, presentations (in person, videos, etc), self-assessments, experimentations, lab reports, peer critiques, responses (to texts, podcasts, videos, films, etc), student generated questions, Escape Room, interviews, and/or portfolios.

Department suggestions:

1. Short analytical or application papers on specific concepts, themes, and issues.
2. Term or research papers, using a variety of research strategies.
3. Oral presentations.
4. Group research, analysis, and presentation projects.
5. Class participation in full-class discussions and small groups or teams.
6. Response papers or journals reflecting on life experiences, events, and social phenomena.
7. Service-learning tasks, involving service to community, reflection, and application of sociological perspective.
8. Student-instructor conferences.
9. Portfolios.
10. Video projects.
11. Oral histories and interviews.

Course Activities and Design

The determination of teaching strategies used in the delivery of outcomes is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: lecture, small group/forum discussion, flipped classroom, dyads, oral presentation, role play, simulation scenarios, group projects, service learning projects, hands-on lab, peer review/workshops, cooperative learning (jigsaw, fishbowl), inquiry based instruction, differentiated instruction (learning centers), graphic organizers, etc.

Course Content

1. Sociological approach and perspectives: sociological imagination, sociological theories (structural functionalist, conflict, symbolic interactionist, feminist).
2. Sociology as a science: research and methods, issues of bias and ethics.
3. Culture (symbols/language, norms/values, material and non-material culture; approaches to study of/interaction with cultures, including ethnocentrism, cultural relativism, multiculturalism).
4. Socialization (theories; agents; life stages; socialization related to gender, race/ethnicity, social class; resocialization).
5. Social stratification and systems of inequality: power, social construction of, socialization related to, hate crimes).
   • Social caste and class, wealth, poverty.
   • Race and ethnicity, social construction of race and forms of race relations, racism, prejudice, individual and institutional discrimination.
   • Sex and gender, compulsory heterosexuality and homophobia, sexism, sex segregation, sexual harassment and violence.
   • Aging, myths and realities, aging of societies, prejudice and discrimination, elder abuse, social problems related to aging.
6. Social structure and organization (roles and statuses, groups and organizations, bureaucracies, social institutions).
7. Societies (types, systems of inequality, social change).
8. Deviance, conformity, and social control (theories; norms and values enforcement; social control mechanisms; law, crime and criminal justice system).

Competencies and Skills

1. Apply sociological approach and perspectives to a variety of social patterns and processes.
2. Write and communicate orally in a clear, organized, and effective manner.
3. Think critically about current social issues and analyze complex social realities.
4. Use varied and effective research techniques and strategies.
5. Develop and refine group process skills, which may include listening, brainstorming, communicating, negotiating, or cooperating on shared tasks.
6. Develop ability to listen to and empathize with diverse perspectives and experiences.
7. Develop and practice active citizenship skills in accordance with principles of democratic and inclusive process, social justice, and ecological sustainability.
8. Integrate course work with current events and trends through examination of popular and news media.

Suggested Texts and Materials

Approved Texts:

There is no standard text used by all instructors, but the department must approve all required texts.