SOC 280

Distinguish between macro- and micro-level sociological perspectives, specify the theoretical components of each theory, and connect each theory to its historical and contemporary theorists. This should include an understanding of the four major sociological perspectives: functionalist, conflict, symbolic interaction, and feminist thought), their theoretical components, and their historical evolution.

Understand how sociological concepts can be applied to your future endeavors—academically, professionally, and personally—by using the “sociological imagination” and applying it to your everyday life.

Describe the socialization process, being able to explain how humans develop social consciousness, thinking skills, self-concepts and moral codes and provide at least eight reasons why socialization is important.

Recognize the concepts “tolerance of cultural differences” and “diverse group behaviors” as you learn and appreciate multicultural differences and similarities.

Define the major social institutions in our society and the role they play in our lives, and identify how social institutions are changing, and how these changes, in turn, influence our points of view and subsequent decisions.

Understand the basic historical data, sociological processes and concepts, and contemporary issues concerning the social construction of race, ethnicity, gender, social status, economic class, and how these social constructs have changed over time.

Explain how deviance and conformity are socially constructed, and how what is considered deviance depends on the specific time periods, cultures, locations, historical periods, and reference groups.