Sociology Course of Study

Transcription

1 UNIT ONE: How do sociologists study the world? (January February) 1. The Sociological Perspective 2. The Emergence of Scientific 3. Use of the Scientific Method 4. Difficulties of Sociological Research 5. Sociological Research Methods a. Define sociology b. Show how the sociological perspective goes beyond the psychological perspective c. Identify what promotes the use of the sociological perspective d. Recognize the importance of using a global perspective e. Describe the benefits of using the sociological perspective a. Identify important historical factors in the emergence of sociology as a science. b. Describe attempts to explain society by early sociologists. c. Compare and contrast the three major theoretical paradigms sociology uses to analyze society. a. Identify the basic elements of science. b. Define hypothesis. c. Differentiate between population and sampling and the various forms of sampling. a. Explain the ethical considerations involved in studying people. b. Describe the limitations involved in scientific sociology. c. Differentiate between validity and reliability. a. Define and identify the advantages and disadvantages of various research methods. b. Explain the basics of experiments. c. Describe the use of correlations in sociology and define spurious correlations. Describe a ritual from a sociological perspective. Design, administer, and analyze a survey. Video on important sociologists and their contributions. Unit Test Revised 11/22/2010 Page 1 of 6

2 UNIT TWO: What does it mean to be human? (February March) 1. Elements of Culture 2. Cultural Integrity and Diversity 3. Production of Culture 4. Social Interaction 5. Social Networks Define culture, nonmaterial culture, and material culture Explain how culture replaces instincts in humans Provide examples of the different elements of culture (language, symbols, mores, folkways, values, beliefs) Examine the diversity of subcultures and countercultures found in modern societies. Summarize the debate over multiculturalism Differentiate between cultural relativism and ethnocentrism List the factors in determining whether a new element will become part of a culture. Explain how cultural diffusion occurs Identify the components of social interaction Explain the concept of the Thomas Theorem Describe the four approaches that examine social interaction Define the characteristics of social networks Create and identify a personal social network Identify the various components of culture from a film Describe the culture of New Albany High School in a pamphlet Revised 11/22/2010 Page 2 of 6

3 UNIT THREE: Why are people unequal income inequality March 1. Stratification Analysis 2. Social Class in the United States 3. Global Stratification Identify stratification and social class Distinguish between structural mobility and social mobility Differentiate between caste and class systems of stratification Explain the concept of socioeconomic status. Describe the various social classes in the U.S Develop a sociological sense about social mobility in the U.S. Examine the demographics of poverty in the U.S. Differentiate between the different explanations of poverty. Describe the demographics of the three economic development categories to classify the nations of the world. Examine the severity and extensiveness of poverty in low-income nations. Identify the correlates of global poverty. Describe the stages of modernization. Reaction paper to the video: Down and Out in American Examination of Global Poverty Revised 11/22/2010 Page 3 of 6

4 UNIT FOUR: Why are people unequal race and gender stratification April 1. Social Construct of Gender 2. Patterns of Gender Inequality 3. Social Meaning of Race and Ethnicity 4. Intergroup Relationships 5. Minority Groups in the United States Differentiate gender from sex. Explain how gender roles and gender stereotypes influence each other. Describe how various agents of socialization affect gender socialization. Evaluate if women should be considered a minority group. Identify the factors for why a gap exists between men s and women s pay. Explain the concept of comparable worth. Explain the biological basis for race. Distinguish between race and ethnicity. Differentiate between prejudice and discrimination. Identify the four theories of prejudice. Identify the characteristics of a minority group. Explain the patterns of interaction between minorities and the majority. Describe the histories and relative statuses of each of the major racial and ethnic groups in the United States today. Discussion of the concept of race after viewing the film: Hotel Rwanda Analysis of advertisements and their depictions of men and women Revised 11/22/2010 Page 4 of 6

5 UNIT FIVE: Does the individual make a difference? Social Change 3 weeks May 1. Population & Urbanization 2. Collective Behavior 3. Social Movements 4. Social Change Learn the basic concepts of demography. Compare Malthusian theory and demographic transition theory. Describe the worldwide urbanization process. Identify the problems with studying collective behavior. Distinguish collectives from social groups. Provide examples of localized and dispersed collectives. Differentiate between the different theories of collective behavior. Describe the four basic types of social movements. Explain how social movements develop and progress Illustrate the four stages of social movements. Define social change. Identify the causes of social change. Describe the characteristics of modernization. Explain the ideas of postmodernity. Reaction to the film: Gandhi Analysis of Population Growth Revised 11/22/2010 Page 5 of 6

6 UNIT SIX: How is society possible? Social Institutions May - June Identify & describe the functions of schools. 1. Education Evaluate the social forces that determine the amount and quality of education children receive. 2. Healthcare Identify the social factors that affect disease and its treatment. Describe the changes occurring in the American family. 3. Family Explain how social structure and culture have contributed to family problems. Identify the basic elements of religion. 4. Religion Describe the purposes religion serves for individuals and for society. Discuss the importance of the school environment following the video: Children in America s Schools Portfolio Assignment Revised 11/22/2010 Page 6 of 6