SO 251 - Principles of Sociology

Description
This is a course designed to acquaint students with the nature of sociology, and will be an overview of the basic concepts, theories and research essential for sociological analysis of human interaction. The class will give an opportunity to develop a broad perspective of the social arrangements that cause our society to be cohesive and non-cohesive at other times. Both the objective and subjective realities of social interaction will be examined. To this end, the primary unit of analysis will be the social structure because the social structure of U.S. society, particularly in terms of the political and economic consideration of power, is the primary basis of stratification within our society. There will also be opportunities to focus more narrowly on particular topics of interest.

Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
Prerequisites/Other Requirements: None
English Prerequisite(s): None
Math Prerequisite(s): None
Course Corequisite(s): None
Academic Program Prerequisite: None
Consent to Enroll in Course: No Department Consent Required
Dual Enrollment Allowed?: Yes
Number of Times Course can be taken for credit: 1
Programs Where This Course is a Requirement:
Dental Assisting, A.A.A.S., Dental Hygiene, A.A.A.S., Pre-Criminal Justice, A.A. (General Transfer), Pre-Sociology, A.A. (General Transfer), Pre-Social Work, A.A. (General Transfer)

General Education Requirement:
Social Sciences
General Education Learner Outcomes (GELO):
2. Communication: Demonstrate effective communication through listening, speaking, reading, or writing using relevant sources and research strategies, 3. Critical Thinking: Gather and synthesize relevant information, evaluate alternative perspectives, or understand inquiry as a means of creating knowledge, 4. Cultural Competence: Understand diverse interpersonal and cultural perspectives through analysis of scholarly or creative works, 5. Information Literacy: Discover, ethically apply, or disseminate scholarly information, 6. Intellectual Curiosity: Seek and apply knowledge through discovery, experimentation, or research to advance academic, personal, and career growth, 7. Problem-Solving: Apply theory, calculation, or experimentation to demonstrate effective problem-solving
Course Learning Outcomes:

Understand that there are different perspectives on community, national, and international issues. GELO 2)
Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of culture on ethical perspectives. (GELO 4)
Apply critical thinking through problem solving as it relates to societal functions/dysfunctions. (GELO 3)
Demonstrate an understanding of social customs and social interactions within specific groups, and in specific social situations. (GELO 4)
Apply the functionalist theory to explore individual rights and responsibilities as part of a civil society. (GELO 4)
Utilize one of the the three major theories in sociology to guide the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data used to investigate social phenomena, individual behavior and/ or the operation of societal institutions. (GELO 7)
Comprehend how changing social conditions affect the behavior of individuals, the operation of societal institutions and/or the perception of social phenomena. (GELO 4)
Identify, compare and contrast questions and hypotheses important to understanding social phenomena, individual behavior and/ or the operation of societal institutions. (GELO 3)
Use high-quality, credible, relevant sources to support writing. (GELO 5)
Create a written summary of the main ideas extracted from information gathered. (GELO 2)
Identify quality sources for data and information pertinent to a problem or issue being examined. (GELO 6)
Create and/or organize data and information into meaningful patterns in order to interpret and draw inferences from it. (GELO 7)
Complete work accurately, with attention to detail. (GELO 4)

Course Outline:
I.     Sociological Perspective

II.    Culture

III.   Socialization

IV.    Social Structure and Social Interaction

V.     How Sociologist Do Research

VI.    Societies to Social Networks

VII.   Bureaucracy and Formal Organizations

VIII.  Deviance and Social Control

IX.    Global Stratification

X.     Social Class in the United States

XI.    Sex and Gender

XII.   Race and Ethnicity

XIII.  The Elderly

XIV.   The economy

XV.    Politics

XVI.   Marriage and Family

XVII.  Education

XVIII. Religion

XIX.   Medicine and Health

XX.    Population and Urbanization

XXI.   Collective Behavior and Social Movements

XXII.  Social Change and the Environment

Approved for Online and Hybrid Delivery?:
Yes
Instructional Strategies:
Lecture: 50-80%
Self-paced readings: 10-30%
Self-paced assignments: 10-30%
Discussion Board: 0-30%
Critical thinking activities: 0-30%

Mandatory Course Components:
None
Equivalent Courses:
None

Accepted GRCC Advanced Placement (AP) Exam Credit: None
AP Min. Score: N/A
Name of Industry Recognize Credentials: NA

Course prepares students to seek the following external certification:
No
Course-Specific Placement Test: None
Course Aligned with ARW/IRW Pairing: IRW 99

Mandatory Department Assessment Measures:

Course Type:
General Education- Offering designed to meet the specific criteria for a GRCC Distribution Requirement. The course should be designated by the requirement it fulfills.
Course Format:
Lecture - 1:1
Total Lecture Hours Per Week: 3
People Soft Course ID Number: 101214
Course CIP Code: 45.11
Maximum Course Enrollment: 36
General Room Request: None

High School Articulation Agreements exist?: No
If yes, with which high schools?: None
Non-Credit GRCC Articulation Agreement With What Area: No
Identify the Non Credit Programs this Course is Accepted: NA

School: School of Liberal Arts
Department: Social Sciences
Discipline: SO
Faculty Credential Requirements:
Master’s Degree (GRCC general requirement), 18 graduate credit hours in discipline being taught (HLC Requirement)
Faculty Credential Requirement Details:
The Professor should possess a Masters Degree/Ph.D. in Sociology. Also, the Professor should have some training and experience in Community College teaching and online/lecture course delivery.

Major Course Revisions: General Education Review
Last Revision Date Effective: 20220216T13:48:21
Course Review & Revision Year: 2026-2027