Sociology 1: The Study of Human Relationships

Have you ever wondered why people act differently from one another or why some people act in more intriguing manners than others? When you view people’s behaviors as distinctive and try to figure out why they act the way they do, you are beginning to think like a sociologist!

Sociology is the study of human social relationships and how individuals interact with one another in groups. By studying sociology, you’ll gain insight into the complexities of our society. If you’re interested in understanding the world around you and making a positive difference, studying sociology is for you!

Topics include:

Foundations of sociology

Culture, society, and socialization

Society and the individual

Social institutions

Rules of society

Social change

Social stratification

This paced course uses content from eDynamic Learning taught by a VHS Learning instructor who is certified in their content area and who follows VHS Learning policies. The course will be hosted in the Buzz learning management system. The course will include a variety of individual assignments and projects, as well as class discussions.

Acknowledgements

This course contains an end-of-course proctored exam. Instructions for students to identify an appropriate adult proctor are included in the course lessons.

Course Objectives

Course Learning Objectives:

  • Describe the origins and history of sociology and contributions of key sociologists, while applying various sociological theories to present-day society.
  • Compare different cultures, from the perspective of the norms, values, and symbols that define societies and cultures.
  • Explore the impact of subcultures and countercultures on social behavior.
  • Define socialization and evaluate the impact of demographic factors on individual socialization processes.
  • Explain how society influences personal identity and how factors such as age, gender, and race affect socialization.
  • Identify and analyze the impact of social institutions on individuals and society.
  • Define social change and explore the role of individuals and movements in societal transformation.
  • Describe how social stratification affects the opportunities available to different groups in society.

Additional Requirements

Students will need to have access to the following required materials to complete this course:

  • Video recording device
  • Word processing and presentation software
  • Adult helper

Optional materials include:

  • Art supplies
  • Audio recording device
  • Digital camera
  • Graphic design and spreadsheet software