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SSS401: Sociology (2012-2013)

CURRICULUM PROGRAM: Social Studies
COURSE TITLE: Sociology
CALENDAR YEAR: 2012-2013
GRADE LEVEL: 10-12
CODE: SSS401
TYPE: GE
CREDITS: 0.50
COURSE LENGTH: 18 weeks

Major Concepts/Content: Students study human social behavior from a group perspective, including recurring patterns of attitudes and actions and how these patterns vary across time, among cultures and in social groups. Students examine society, group behavior and social structures, as well as the impact of cultural change on society, through research methods using scientific inquiry.

Major Instructional Activities: Instructional activities will be provided relative to the content standards of the Sociology. Students plan, design, and develop research projects relative to the study of institutions and society. Interviews, case studies, and interactions with agencies and community personnel involved in working with people should be a large portion of the instructional strategies.

Major Evaluative Techniques: Evaluation will be comprised of assessments for/of learning in content standards knowledge, case studies, research, and group projects.

Course Objectives: Upon completion of the Sociology course of study, students should be able to:

• Describe the development of sociology as a social science, by identifying methods and strategies of research and by examining the contributions of sociology to the understanding of social issues.
• Describe and classify the influence of culture within social structure, on the individual and the way cultural aspects are transferred; appraise and differentiate the way culture defines how people in a society behave in relation to groups and to physical objects; discuss and describe the system of human behavior that is learned behavior within the society; define and list the patterns and processes in becoming members of societies
• Name and order how social status influences individual and group behaviors; assess and defend social stratification as it relates to class, status and position: categorize and distinguish the impact of social controls, restrictions/limitations in society.
• Explain and interpret the influence of social groups on individual/group behavior: compare and contrast how social groups are comprised of people who share some common characteristics; list and assess how social inequalities and how they may affect changes in society.
• Define and illustrate the effects of social institutions on individual and group behavior; understand how social groups are where an individual participates, and influences the development of the individual through the socialization process; defend how social groups identify sanctions for behavior.
• Examine the changing nature of society; classify and categorize the disruption of social functions; list and appraise the factors that result in changes in society/social movements.
• Survey a range of contemporary social problems; examine various imbalances that result in social problems; compare and contrast how numerous social groups are affected in an adverse way as a result of social imbalances.
• List and evaluate expectations for an individual as a member of a community; analyze theories that relate to collective behavior in society; differentiate the expectations of the role of the individual and social communities in global issues.