Introductory course on American Government, designed also to prepare for the College Board's CLEP subject matter exam.
This class is intended to introduce students to understandings of the city generated from both social science literature and the field of urban design. The first part of the course examines literature on the history and theory of the city. Among other factors, it pays special attention to the larger territorial settings in which cities emerged and developed (ranging from the global to the national to the regional context) and how these affected the nature, character, and functioning of cities and the lives of their inhabitants. The remaining weeks focus more explicitly on the theory and practice of design visions for the city, the latter in both utopian and realized form. One of our aims will be to assess the conditions under which a variety of design visions were conceived, and to assess them in terms of the varying patterns of territorial "nestedness" (local, regional, national, imperial, and global) examined in the first part of the course. Another will be to encourage students to think about the future prospects of cities (in terms of territorial context or other political functions and social aims) and to offer design visions that might reflect these new dynamics.
There are a few major themes that come up over and over again during the course of classical sociological theory’s development. All three classical theorists were writing at a time when sociology was a new and emerging discipline. This new discipline was called forth by momentous social changes taking place in European (and American) society during this time period. These changes were related to the rise of capitalism, industrialization, and new political representation for the majority of people (or, at least, a desire for such by many). Calls for socialism emerged as a response to recognition of new social divisions. Each of the three theorists you will read here weighed in on these historical changes, theorizing the contours and dynamics of this new “modern” society.
Table of Contents
I. Marx and Engels
II. Durkheim
III. Weber
IV. Early American Sociology
How do individuals and families interface with larger systems, and how do therapists intervene collaboratively? How do larger systems structure the lives of individuals and families? Relationally-trained practitioners are attempting to answer these questions through collaborative and interdisciplinary, team-focused projects in mental health, education, the law, and business, among other fields. Similarly, scholars and researchers are developing specific culturally responsive models: outreach family therapy, collaborative health care, multi-systemic school interventions, social-justice-oriented and spiritual approaches, organizational coaching, and consulting, among others. This course explores these developments and aims at developing a clinical and consulting knowledge that contributes to families, organizations, and communities within a collaborative and social-justice-oriented vision.
Cultural Psychology reviews the cultural, community, and ecological factors that play a role in how people perceive their environment. The goal of this course is to investigate the ways in which culture can affect aspects of that individual's psychology. Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to: identify current trends in contemporary cultural psychology and compare and contrast these concepts with historical and empirical psychological theory; compare and contrast variations in cognitive processes and expectations amongst cultures; describe the difference between measuring and quantifying intelligence within different cultural groups, including culturally normed assessment tools; explain the study of intercultural relations and communication; demonstrate an awareness of theories of cultural differences in affective expression, including both culture-specific and universal concepts; list factors of motivation and cultural implications; identify the stages of human development, including racial and ethnicity-specific developmental theories with a focus on comparing and contrasting individualistic and collectivistic themes; list the criteria for various psychological disorders, including cultural adaptations and culture-bound syndromes. This free course may be completed online at any time. (Psychology 403)
This text was envisioned as an essentials text, providing coverage of the main areas of study reviewed in most introduction to sociology classes.
Table of Contents:
Chapter 1: Sociological Research in the Service of Society
1.1 The Sociological Perspective
1.2 Understanding Society
1.3 Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology
1.4 Sociology as a Social Science
1.5 Stages in the Sociological Research Process
1.6 Research Design in Sociology
1.7 Ethical Issues in Sociological Research
1.8 Sociological Research in the Service of Society
1.9 End-of-Chapter Material
Chapter 2: Culture
Social Issues in the News
2.1 Culture and the Sociological Perspective
2.2 The Elements of Culture
2.3 Cultural Diversity
2.4 End-of-Chapter Material
Chapter 3: Socialization
Social Issues in the News
3.1 The Importance of Socialization
3.2 Explaining Socialization
3.3 Agents of Socialization
3.4 Socialization Through the Life Course
3.5 Resocialization and Total Institutions
3.6 Socialization Practices and Improving Society
3.7 End-of-Chapter Material
Chapter 4: Social Structure and Social Interaction
Social Issues in the News
4.1 Social Structure: The Building Blocks of Social Life
4.2 The Development of Modern Society
4.3 Social Interaction in Everyday Life
4.4 End-of-Chapter Material
Chapter 5: Groups and Organizations
Social Issues in the News
5.1 Social Groups
5.2 Group Dynamics and Behavior
5.3 End-of-Chapter Material
Chapter 6: Deviance, Crime, and Social Control
Social Issues in the News
6.1 Social Control and the Relativity of Deviance
6.2 Explaining Deviance
6.3 Crime and Criminals
6.4 The Get-Tough Approach: Boon or Bust?
6.5 End-of-Chapter Material
Chapter 7: Social Stratification
Social Issues in the News
7.1 Systems of Stratification
7.2 Explaining Stratification
7.3 Social Class in the United States
7.4 Economic Inequality and Poverty in the United States
7.5 End-of-Chapter Material
Chapter 8: Global Stratification and Demography
Social Issues in the News
8.1 The Nature and Extent of Global Stratification
8.2 The Impact of Global Poverty
8.3 Explaining Global Stratification
8.4 Population
8.5 Population Growth and Decline
8.6 Urbanization
8.7 End-of-Chapter Material
Chapter 9: Race and Ethnicity
Social Issues in the News
9.1 Racial and Ethnic Relations
9.2 The Meaning of Race, Ethnicity and Minority Status
9.3 Stereotypes and Prejudice
9.4 Discrimination
9.5 Patterns of Intergroup Relations
9.6 Racial and Ethnic Inequality in the United States
9.7 Race and Ethnicity in the 21st Century
9.8 End-of-Chapter Material
Chapter 10: Gender and Gender Inequality
Social Issues in the News
10.1 Understanding Sex and Gender
10.2 Feminism and Sexism
10.3 Gender Inequality
10.4 Violence Against Women: Rape and Pornography
10.5 The Benefits and Costs of Being Male
10.6 End-of-Chapter Material
Chapter 11: Politics, Government, and Economies
Social Issues in the News
11.1 Power and Authority
11.2 Types of Political Systems
11.3 Theories of Power and Society
11.4 Politics in the United States
11.5 War and Terrorism
11.6 Economic Development in Historical Perspective
11.7 Types of Economic Systems
11.8 End-of-Chapter Material
Chapter 12: Marriage and Families
Social Issues in the News
12.1 Families in Cross-Cultural and Historical Perspectives
12.2 Sociological Perspectives on the Family
12.3 Family Patterns in the United States Today
12.4 Changes and Issues Affecting American Families
12.5 Family Violence
12.6 End-of-Chapter Material
Chapter 13: Education and Religion
Social Issues in the News
13.1 Brief History of Education in the United States
13.2 Sociological Perspectives on Education
13.3 Education in the United States
13.4 Issues and Problems in Education
13.5 Religion
13.6 Religion as a Social Institution
13.7 Religion in Historical and Cross-Cultural Perspective
13.8 Sociological Perspectives on Religion
13.9 Types of Religious Organizations
13.10 Religion in the United States
13.11 Trends in Religious Belief and Activity
13.12 End-of-Chapter Material
Throughout the course, we will examine and discuss questions important to feminist politics, such as citizenship, political participation, and political rights; work and family; reproductive rights and birth control; gender representation in the media; and finally, the role of gender in militarism and national security. In considering each topic, we will draw on historical analysis and seek to consider the variety of womenĺÎĺs experiences. Though this course will focus on feminism in the U.S., we will also attempt to incorporate international perspectives on women and feminism.
One part of a two-part introduction to the discipline of sociology, the study of society. It examines how we come to understand and experience ourselves and the world around us and how we create culture. Students will be introduced to the study of culture, socialization, social interaction, identity formation and self-fashioning, the social construction of class, gender and race, age, deviance, and other social phenomena.
I. Part I - Introduction to Sociology
1. Module 1: Discovering the Social
2. Module 2: Introducing the Sociological Perspective
3. Module 3: Research Design: Investigating the Social Construction of Everyday Life
4. Module 4: Research Design: Collecting and Interpreting The Data of Everyday Social Reality
5. Module 5: Socialization and the Social Construction of Social Selves
6. Module 6: Social Interaction, Social Groups and Social Identity
7. Module 7: Social Identities: Class, Status and Power
8. Module 8: Social Identities: Sex, Gender and Sexuality
9. Module 9: Social Identities: Race, Ethnicity and Nationality
10. Module 10: Non-Conformity and Social Control: Health and Medicine
11. Module 11: Non-Conformity and Social Control: Criminal and Social Justice
12. Module 12: Collective Resistance and Social Change
13. Module 7: Social Stratification and Social Inequality
14. Module 11: Education
This set of instructor-focused ancillary materials was created under a Round Eleven Mini-Grant for Ancillary Materials Creation and Revision. These following materials are intended to assist instructors in successfully implementing OpenStax Sociology 2nd Edition within their classrooms:
Customizable lecture slides
Links to potential ancillary Web materials for each chapter
Short answer questions
Essay questions
Online discussion questions
Class activities
This on-line textbook introduces many of the basics of formal approaches to the analysis of social networks. The text relies heavily on the work of Freeman, Borgatti, and Everett (the authors of the UCINET software package). The materials here, and their organization, were also very strongly influenced by the text of Wasserman and Faust, and by a graduate seminar conducted by Professor Phillip Bonacich at UCLA. Many other users have also made very helpful comments and suggestions based on the first version.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1. An Introduction to Sociology
Chapter 2. Sociological Research
Chapter 3. Culture
Chapter 4. Society and Modern Life
Chapter 5. Socialization
Chapter 6. Groups and Organizations
Chapter 7. Deviance, Crime, and Social Control
Chapter 8. Media and Technology
Chapter 9. Social Inequality in Canada
Chapter 10. Global Inequality
Chapter 11. Race and Ethnicity
Chapter 12. Gender, Sex, and Sexuality
Chapter 13. Aging and the Elderly
Chapter 14. Marriage and Family
Chapter 15. Religion
Chapter 16. Education
Chapter 17. Government and Politics
Chapter 18. Work and the Economy
Chapter 19. The Sociology of the Body: Health and Medicine
Chapter 20. Population, Urbanization, and the Environment
Chapter 21. Social Movements and Social Change
Chapter 22: Social Interaction
About the Book
Introduction to Sociology adheres to the scope and sequence of a typical introductory sociology course. In addition to comprehensive coverage of core concepts, foundational scholars, and emerging theories, we have incorporated section reviews with engaging questions, discussions that help students apply the sociological imagination, and features that draw learners into the discipline in meaningful ways. Although this text can be modified and reorganized to suit your needs, the standard version is organized so that topics are introduced conceptually, with relevant, everyday experiences.
For the student, this book is based on the teaching and research experience of numerous sociologists. In today's global socially networked world, the topic of Sociology is more relevant than ever before. We hope that through this book, students will learn how simple, everyday human actions and interactions can change the world. In this book, you will find applications of Sociology concepts that are relevant, current, and balanced.
This course is designed to introduce you to a range of basic sociological principles so that you can develop your own sociological imagination. You will learn about the origins of sociology as a discipline and be introduced to major sociological theories and methods of research. You will also explore such topics as sex and gender, deviance, and racism.
Learn how the core concepts, foundational scholars, and emerging theories of sociology help explain how simple, everyday human actions and interactions can change the world.
Introduction to Sociology 2e adheres to the scope and sequence of a typical, one-semester introductory sociology course. It offers comprehensive coverage of core concepts, foundational scholars, and emerging theories, which are supported by a wealth of engaging learning materials. The textbook presents detailed section reviews with rich questions, discussions that help students apply their knowledge, and features that draw learners into the discipline in meaningful ways. The second edition retains the book’s conceptual organization, aligning to most courses, and has been significantly updated to reflect the latest research and provide examples most relevant to today’s students. In order to help instructors transition to the revised version, the 2e changes are described within the preface.
Explain concepts central to sociology
Understand how different sociological perspectives have developed
Introduction to Sociology is intended for a one-semester introductory sociology course. Conceived of and developed by active sociology instructors, this up-to-date title and can be downloaded now by clicking on the "Get this book" button below. This online, fully editable and customizable title includes sociology theory and research; real-world applications; simplify and debate features; and learning objectives for each chapter
Note: this resource now links to the third edition, released in 2021. Its record is in OER Commons to allow users to see endorsements, reviews, etc...
Introduction to Sociology adheres to the scope and sequence of a typical introductory sociology course. In addition to comprehensive coverage of core concepts, foundational scholars, and emerging theories, we have incorporated section reviews with engaging questions, discussions that help students apply the sociological imagination, and features that draw learners into the discipline in meaningful ways. Although this text can be modified and reorganized to suit your needs, the standard version is organized so that topics are introduced conceptually, with relevant, everyday experiences.
