SOCI 201H - Introduction to Sociology - Honors

3 CR
This course introduces students to the scientific study of society. It examines the way society is structured and the social inequalities that shape the lives of different classes, racial and ethnic groups, and men and women. Students will study how social institutions such as the media, the family, and the educational system influence society and socialize us into our environment while investigating how people create and change the social world through collective action. Topics explored generally include wealth and income, poverty and inequality, globalization, politics and power, health, aging, and the life course, urbanization, work and unemployment, crime, and deviance. Honors courses emphasize individual study, personal, and group projects with additional learning outcomes common to the Honors Program.

Additional Information: Students may enter the Honors course only as part of the Honors Program or with department approval.

1. Articulate, compare and contrast the major theoretical perspectives used by sociologists.
2. Name and describe the research methods most frequently used to gather and analyze sociological data.
3. Define and describe structural forces, including socialization and culture, that pattern human behavior (the nature of social structure).
4. List and describe key social institutions and their importance to daily life.
5. List and describe major sources of inequalities studied by sociologists, specifically those based on race, gender, and social class.

Honors Outcomes:

1. Collaborate in college, local, and global communities.
2. Demonstrate expertise and research skills in select areas of study.
3. Develop an interdisciplinary perspective across the liberal arts and sciences.
4. Demonstrate intellectual independence through verbal and written work.
5. Demonstrate research skills, including analysis of information and perspectives from diverse sources.
6. Develop plans and skills to further both academic and professional careers.