Introduction to Sociology

1 Sociology: Theory and Method

What Is Sociology?
The Sociological Imagination
The Study of Society
Quantitative versus Qualitative Research
The Scientific Method
Ethics
Origins and Development of Sociology
Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology
Functionalism
Conflict Theory
Symbolic Interaction
References

2 Culture
What Is the Difference Between Society and Culture?
Types of Societies
Marx and Conflict Theory
Functionalism and Culture
Durkheim: Organic and Mechanical Solidarity
Parsons: AGIL
Symbolic Interactionism
Language
Levels of Normalcy
Folkways, Mores, and Taboos
Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativity
Social Movements
References

3 Socialization, From Infancy to Old Age
What Is Socialization?
Feral Children and Isolated Children
Deprived Animals: The Harlow Experiments
Socialization of the Self
Cooley and the Looking-Glass Self
Mead and Role Taking
Reflection Questions: Socialization of the Self
Socialization into Gender Roles
The Role of Family in Gender Socialization
The Role of Peers in Gender Socialization
The Role of the Mass Media in Gender Socialization
The Agents of Socialization
Neighborhood
Religion
School
The Workplace
Reflection Questions: The Agents of Socialization
Resocialization
Socialization through the Life Course
Childhood
Adolescence
Early and Middle Adulthood
The Older Years (65 and Older)
Reflection Questions: Socialization through the Life Course
References

4 Social Interaction, Groups, and Formal Organizations
Social Interaction and Social Structure
Definitions
Levels of Sociological Analysis
Social Statuses and Social Roles
Social Status
Roles
Reflection Questions: Statuses and Roles
Social Institutions
Functionalist Perspective on Social Institutions
Conflict Perspective on Social Institutions
Symbolic Interactionist Perspective on Social Institutions
Dramaturgy
Reflection Questions: Dramaturgy
Ethnomethodology
Reflection Questions: Ethnomethodology
The Social Construction of Reality
Social Groups
Different Types of Groups
Reflection Questions: Social Groups
Social Networks
Formal Organizations
Bureaucracy
Group Dynamics
Leadership
The Power of Authority: The Milgram Experiment
Reflection Questions: Group Dynamics
References

5 Deviance
What Is Deviance?
Solomon Asch: Asch Conformity Experiments
Deviance and Social Order
Symbolic Interactionism and Deviance
Labeling Theory and Stigma
Differential Association Theory
Control Theory
Structural Functionalism and Deviance
Deviance as Functional
Strain Theory
The Conflict Perspective
Medicalization of Deviance
Pyrrhic Defeat Theory
References

6 Social Stratification
Power, Wealth, and Prestige
Systems of Social Stratification
Slavery
Caste
Estate
Class
Determinants of Social Class
Reflection Questions: Social Class
The Functionalist Perspective on Social Stratification
The Davis-Moore Theory
Tumin’s Critique of the Davis-Moore Theory
The Conflict Perspective on Social Stratification
Marx’s Theory
Critique of Marx’s Theory
Reflection Questions: Functionalist and Conflict Perspectives on Social Stratification
Social Stratification in the United Kingdom versus the Former Soviet Union
Social Stratification in the United States
Wealth in America
Power in America
Poverty in America
Reflection Questions: Social Stratification in the United States
Global Stratification: A Comparison Between High-, Middle-, and Low-Income Nations
High-Income Nations
Middle-Income Nations
Low-Income Nations
Correlates of Global Poverty
Theories of Global Poverty
Dependency Theory: The Negative Impact of Colonialism
World System Theory
The Culture of Poverty Theory
Reflection Questions: Global Poverty
References

7 Family, Marriage, and Gender
Family
Family as a Social Institution
Functions of the Family: The Functionalist Perspective
The Conflict Perspective on Family: Struggles between Husbands and Wives
The Symbolic Interactionist Perspective on Family
Trends in U.S. Families
Reflection Questions: Family
Marriage
Love and Courtship Viewed Globally
Divorce and Remarriage
Reflection Questions: Marriage
Gender
Margaret Mead’s Research on Gender Role Norms
Nature vs. Nurture: The Case of David Reimer
Global Gender Inequality
Gender Inequality in the United States
Gender and Violence
The Rise of Feminism
Reflection Questions: Gender
References

8 Race and Ethnicity
Race, Ethnicity, and Minority Groups
Race
Ethnicity
Minority Groups and Dominant Groups
Reflection Questions: Race, Ethnicity, and Minority Groups
Prejudice and Discrimination
Theories of Prejudice
Scapegoat Theory
Authoritarian Personality Theory
Culture Theory
Conflict Theory
The Functionalist Perspective on Prejudice
The Symbolic-Interactionist Perspective on Prejudice
Reflection Questions: Theories of Prejudice
Intergroup Relations
Genocide
Population Transfer
Internal Colonialism
Segregation
Assimilation
Multiculturalism
Reflection Questions: Intergroup Relations
Timeline of African American History through the End of the 19th Century
Current Status of African Americans in the United States
Current Controversies
Reflection Questions: Current Controversies
References

9 Politics and Political Issues
Politics and Types of Authority
Types of Government
Democracy
Monarchy
Communism/Socialism (as Political Systems)
Reflection Questions: Government
Types of Economic Systems
Traditional Economic Systems
Command Economic Systems
Market Economic Systems
Market Economies vs. Planned Economies
Convergence Hypothesis
Reflection Questions: Economy
The U.S. Political System
Electoral College
Political Parties and Elections
Parties and Ideology
Other Political Parties
Libertarian Party
Green Party
Reflection Questions: Political Parties in the U.S.
Population and the Environment
Global Population
World Population Growth
Population Aging and Decline
Human Immigration
The Environment
Activism or Terrorism?
Reflection Questions: Population and Environment
Terrorism and War
Sociological Perspectives
Structural Functionalism
Conflict Theory
Symbolic Interactionism
References

10 Education and Religion
What Is Education?
Functionalism and Education
Innovation
Cultural Transmission
Social Placement and Anticipatory Socialization
Assimilation and Social Integration
Symbolic Interactionism and Education
Social Constructionism
Labeling
Conflict Theory and Education
Problems in Education
Russia—Challenges in Pedagogy and Curriculum
Nigeria—School Violence
Nepal—Poverty and Lack of Educational Funding
Homeschooling and Unschooling
Reflection Questions: Education
Religion
Functionalism—The Functions of Religion
Symbolic Interactionism
Belief, Ritual, and Experience
Conflict Perspective—Karl Marx
Reflection Questions: Religion
References