Sociology is the scientific study of society and the interactions among humans. The goal of Introductory Sociology is to provide a survey of the field of sociology and educate and inspire cadets to examine contemporary situations that involve social interaction and use sociological concepts, theories, and research to explain what is taking place, identify social threads and patterns across the situations, and determine the personal as well as the social significance of their analysis. Sociology demands that the student transcend the taken-for-granted, subjective world view and develop a sociological imagination by revealing the linkages and relationships among social facts and connect public issues to self awareness. PL371 is a survey course with the identification of common threads across social situations, and determining the self and social significance of facts. The teaching and learning strategy involves reading, writing, discussions, presentations, and other active-learning, hands and heads-on projects.
Lessons
40 @ 55 min (2.500 Att/wk)
Labs
0 @ 0 min
Special requirements
Three papers synthesizing course readings; lead one class discussion.
This course introduces cadets to the scientific study of social interaction at levels of analysis from small groups to societies. The course begins with an introduction to basic concepts, theories, and ideas that help explain social behavior. Cadets apply these in their examination of major social institutions (e.g., family, economics, education, religion, health, science, military, law, politics) and current social problems (e.g., crime, population, ethnic and gender inequality, divorce, homelessness) existing in U.S. society. Cross-cultural comparisons are offered throughout the course to expose cadets to cultural diversity. Introductory sociology provides a set of perspectives especially useful for future officers, who will deal with issues covered in this course on an everyday basis.
Lessons
40 @ 55 min (2.500 Att/wk)
Labs
0 @ 0 min
Special requirements
Three papers synthesizing course readings; lead one class discussion.
