This course is a one-semester elective and serves to introduce students to the social studies discipline of Sociology. Sociologists study social behavior in human groups. They look for patterns and study the influence of social relationships on people’s behavior and attitudes. As such, the course is designed so that students will acquire the knowledge and skills to make decisions and act as responsible members of society by acquiring the knowledge and skills to gather, analyze and apply information and ideas.
Since human behavior takes place in a wide variety of groups and circumstances, Sociology has a broad scope. Sociologists might study beliefs, values, rules, the family, education, religion, political and economic systems, race and ethnicity, gender, or sports and entertainment. Specifically, this course will explore topics including culture, social stratification, population, urbanization, social control, deviance, collective behavior, social change, and social movements will be discussed as well as social questions based on how people are members of particular groups.
It is important for students to understand that people form groups throughout Sint Maarten and the World, and that there are issues and challenges that both unite and divide us. This course should facilitate the student’s ability to develop a sociological imagination which should enable them to view their own lives within a larger social, cross-cultural, and historical context, thereby helping students to understand and thus appreciate the rich diversity that is possible in social life.
COURSE OUTLINE Term 1 PART I - Foundations of Sociology Ch 1: Sociological Perspective Ch 2: Sociological Investigation PART II - Foundations of Society Ch 3: Culture Ch 4: Society Ch 5: Socialization Ch 6: Social Interaction in Everyday Life Term 2 Ch 7: Groups and Organizations Ch 9: Deviance Ch 10: Social Stratification Ch 11: Social Class in the US PART III - Social Inequality Ch 12: Global Stratification Ch 14: Race & Ethnicity Ch 8: Sexuality and Society Ch 13: Gender Stratification Ch 15: Aging and the Elderly