SOC 201H: Introduction to Sociology - Honors

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2023
Credits: 3
Total Contact Hours: 54
Lecture Hours : 54
Lab Hours: 0
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 108
Prerequisite: Student must be eligible for the Citrus College Honors Program or obtain a recommendation from an Honors instructor.
District General Education: D2. Behavioral Science
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: Yes - Approved
Grading Method: Standard Letter

Catalog Course Description

An emphasis is placed on an in-depth, critical study of the basic structure of human society, the main forces that hold groups together or weaken them, conditions that transform social life, and basic social concepts. Students are expected to work and participate at an honors level which includes, strong critical thinking skills through analysis of sociological readings, presentation, and leadership skills demonstrated through class participation/presentation, and service learning in the community. 54 lecture hours.

Course Objectives

  • identify the main forces that hold groups together or weaken them and how they affect the structure of human society
  • list several of the major social problems and their solutions as outlined through classroom discussions
  • describe the skills needed to analyze human ecology as discussed in the class
  • identify primary and secondary groups and their importance in the study of our society
  • understand and complete an Ethno methodological research study
  • critically analyze and identify examples of ethnocentrism and cultural relativism outside the classroom environment
  • critically examine the dynamics of group relationships and group interaction

Major Course Content

  1. Critical Examination Society and Dynamics of Group Interaction
  2. In-depth Examination of the Components of Culture and Personality
  3. Critical Examination of Social Structures
  4. Critical Examination of Institutions and Communities
  5. Critical Examination of Collective Behavior and Social Change
  6. Critical Examination of Basic Principles of Group Human Behavior and Group Dynamics
  7. Critical Examination of Primary and Secondary Group
    1. Personality of the group
    2. Personality relative to status and role
    3. Personality relative to culture
  8. Critical Examination of Population
    1. Race
    2. Caste
    3. Class
    4. Mobility
  9. Critical Examination of Social Institutions
  10. Critical Examination of the Institution of the Family
  11. Critical Examination of Institutional Functions
  12. Critical Examination of Human Ecology

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

Textbook supplemental website

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

Students will be required to write a 10 to 15 page research paper in which they gather and analyze their own data on a variety of sociological topics.

Examples of Outside Assignments

Students may be required to participate in a service learning project where they volunteer for a period of 15 hours per semester. They must keep a detailed journal of their experience for every hour they participate. The journal will end with a reflection of the work they've done and a sociological analysis of their experience.

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Online Education Lecture

IGETC Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences

4J. Sociology & Criminology