AHSS*1130 - Principles of Sociology

Course Description

Sociology is the systematic study of the groups, cultures and societies, which constitute collective human life. It examines patterns of social organization, and the resulting influences and constraints within which we all operate. This course introduces students to the major theories, perspectives and topics in sociology. Major sociological theories are explored and applied to the analysis of economic power, cultural values, family, religion, gender, ethnicity, class, age, and race.

What You'll Learn

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

1. Appraise, compare, and contrast sociological perspectives: structural-functionalist, conflict, symbolic interactionist, feminist, and postmodernist;

2. Compare, contrast and apply sociological perspective to unit themes: families, education, gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, social class and work

3. Analyze the differing and intersecting impacts of gender, race, ethnicity, social class, and sexuality on society and on individual experiences;

4. Describe Canadian families over time and assess how they determine age groups such as youth and the elderly;

5. Assess the impact of a variety of challenges on Canadian families, including divorce, abuse, lone-parenting, and same-sex families;

6. Examine the impact of adolescent peer culture and social dynamics on student performance;

7. Define notions such as hidden curriculum, social and cultural capital, meritocracy, credentialism and the corporatization of education;

8. Critically analyze the components of workplace governance, and the effects on employer/employee relations including the role of organized labour, discipline systems, occupational health and safety, and other current workplace issues;

9. Distinguish between sex and gender and examine the origins and evolution of gender inequality;

10. Assess the social and cultural construction of genders and sexualities in Canadian society and related notions of patriarchy, heteronormativity, gender and sexual scripts;

11. Distinguish between ethnicity and race and assess the historical and contemporary impact on Canadian society;

12. Define, compare, and contrast notions of prejudice, discrimination, stereotyping and racism;

13. Assess definitions of social class and apply them to contemporary dynamics of income inequality and poverty in Canada; and

14. Synthesize course concepts and sociological perspectives and apply to personal and professional experiences.