Syllabus: Cert Soc

Programme details for the Certificate in Sociology

Courses Presented in This Programme

The Cert. Soc includes the following compulsory courses:

• Study Skills (No assessments)
• Introduction to Sociology
• Marriage and Family
• ... and a recommended course from another faculty:
• Psychology of Life

Duration of the Programme

This programme has a minimum learning duration of eight months before the qualification certificate can be issued. The maximum learning duration is normally two years.

Prerequisites

An applicant may be granted admission to this programme being in possession of one of the following certificates:

• A valid tertiary education entrance qualification
• Any other certificate deemed equivalent and which the CU Senate has approved

Study Skills

Credits: 13

Synopsis. This guidance course to study skills is essential for students going to university for the first time. Whether it is studied before or alongside a study skills module, Study Skills will enable students to gain the necessary skills and confidence to really make the most of time at university. The aim is to equip students with the key skills to enable success in the highly competitive era of mass higher education, and to cope with the increasing trend toward independent study and lifelong learning. It has been designed to help develop the skills necessary for working life as we move into the new millennium. Since this is primarily a self-study course, an active learning approach has been adopted.

Outline. The following aspects are reflected in this course:

• PREPARING FOR STUDY
  • Learning to learn
  • Managing stress and time
  • Group working skills
  • Finding information
  • Reading for study
  • Taking notes
  • Working with numbers
    
    
• ASSESSMENT SKILLS
  • Essay writing
  • Writing reports and dissertations
  • Case studies
  • Presentations
  • Examinations

Introduction to Sociology

Credits: 25

Synopsis. An introductory sociology course found in departments of Sociology.

A multi-media learning package, Sociology, offers students:

1. a global perspective to help them better understand their own lives,
2. the most current research in the field of sociology and relevant examples, and
3. the opportunity for students to explore social diversity while critically examining the issues and challenges facing society.

Outline. The following aspects are reflected in this course:

• I. THE FOUNDATIONS OF SOCIOLOGY.
  • The Sociological Perspective. The Sociological Perspective. The Importance of Global Perspective. Applying the Sociological Perspective. The Origins of Sociology. Sociological Theory.
  • Sociological Investigation. The Basics of Sociological Investigation. Science: Basic Elements and Limitations. The Methods of Sociological Research. Putting It All Together: Ten Steps in Sociological Investigation.
• II. THE FOUNDATIONS OF SOCIETY.
  • Culture. What Is Culture? The Components of Culture. Cultural Diversity: Many Ways of Life in One World. Theoretical Analysis of Culture. Culture and Human Freedom.
  • Society. Gerhard Lenski: Society and Technology. Karl Marx: Society and Conflict. Max Weber: The Rationalization of Society. Emile Durkheim: Society and Function. Critical Evaluation: Four Visions of Society.
  • Socialization. Social Experience: The Key to Our Humanity. Understanding Socialization. Agents of Socialization. Socialization and the Life Course. Resocialization: Total Institutions.
  • Social Interaction in Everyday Life. Social Structure: A Guide to Everyday Living. Status. Role. The Social Construction of Reality. Dramaturgical Analysis: “The Presentation of Self.” Interaction in Everyday Life: Three Applications.
  • Groups and Organizations. Social Groups. Formal Organizations. The Evolution of Formal Organizations. The Future of Organizations: Opposing Trends.
  • Deviance. What Is Deviance? The Foundations of Deviance: Structural-functional Analysis. Labeling Deviance: Symbolic-interaction Analysis. Deviance and Inequality: Social-Conflict Analysis. Deviance and Social Diversity. Crime. The Criminal Justice System.
  • Sexuality. Understanding Sexuality. Sexual Attitudes in the United States. Sexual Orientation. Sexual Issues and Controversies. Theoretical Analysis of Sexuality.
• III. SOCIAL INEQUALITY.
  • Social Stratification. What Is Social Stratification? Caste and Class Systems. The Functions of Social Stratification. Stratification and Conflict. Stratification and Technology: A Global Perspective. Social Stratification: Facts and Values.
  • Social Class in the United States. Dimensions of Social Inequality. Social Stratification and Birth. Social Classes in the United States. The Difference Class Makes. Social Mobility. Poverty in the United States.
  • Global Stratification. Global Stratification: An Overview. Global Wealth and Poverty. Global Stratification: Theoretical Analysis. Global Stratification: Looking Ahead.
  • Gender Stratification. Gender and Inequality. Gender and Socialization. Gender and Social Stratification. Theoretical Analysis of Gender. Feminism. Looking Ahead: Gender in the Twenty-First Century.
  • Race and Ethnicity. The Social Meaning of Race and Ethnicity. Prejudice. Discrimination. Majority and Minority: Patterns of Interaction. Race and Ethnicity in the United States. Race and Ethnicity: Looking Ahead.
  • Aging and the Elderly. The Graying of the United States. Growing Old: Biology and Culture. Transitions and Challenges of Aging. Theoretical Analysis of Aging. Death and Dying. Looking Ahead: Aging in the Twenty-First Century.
• IV. SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS.
  • The Economy and Work. The Economy: Historical Overview. Economic Systems: Paths to Justice. Work in the Postindustrial Economy. Corporations. Looking Ahead: The Economy of the Twenty-First Century.
  • Politics and Government. Power and Authority. Politics in Global Perspective. Politics in the United States. Theoretical Analysis of Power in Society. Power Beyond the Rules. War and Peace. Looking Ahead: Politics in the Twenty-First Century.
  • Family. The Family: Basic Concepts. The Family: Global Variations. Theoretical Analysis of the Family. Stages of Family Life. U.S. Families: Class, Race, and Gender. Transitions and Problems in Family Life. Alternative Family Forms. New Reproductive Technology and the Family. Looking Ahead: The Family in the Twenty-First Century.
  • Religion. Religion: Basic Concepts. Theoretical Analysis of Religion. Religion and Social Change. Types of Religious Organization. Religion in History. World Religions. Religion in the United States. Religion in a Changing Society. Looking Ahead: Religion in the Twenty-First Century.
  • Education. Education: A Global Survey. The Functions of Schooling. Schooling and Social Inequality. Problems in the Schools. Recent Issues in U.S. Education. Looking Ahead: Schooling in the Twenty-First Century.
  • Health and Medicine. What Is Health? Health: A Global Survey. Health in the United States. The Medical Establishment. Theoretical Analysis of Health and Medicine. Looking Ahead: Health in the Twenty-First Century.
• V. SOCIAL CHANGE
  • Population, Urbanization, and Environment. Demography: The Study of Population. History and Theory of Population Growth. Urbanization: The Growth of Cities. Urbanism as a Way of Life. Urbanization in Poor Societies. Environment and Society. Looking Ahead: Toward a Sustainable World.
  • Collective Behavior and Social Movements. Studying Collective Behavior. Localized Collectivities: Crowds. Dispersed Collectivities: Mass Behavior. Social Movements. Looking Ahead: Social Movements in the Twenty-First Century.
  • Social Change: Traditional, Modern, and Postmodern Societies. What Is Social Change? Causes of Social Change. Modernity. Theoretical Analysis of Modernity. Postmodernity. Looking Ahead: Modernization and Our Global Future.

Marriage and Family

Credits: 21

Synopsis. A course in Marriage and Family, Sociology of Family, Family Studies/Relationships in departments of Sociology, Family Studies, and Psychology.

This exceptionally comprehensive, innately interesting, and extremely readable course, introduces students to the study of contemporary marriages and families in ways to which they can easily relate. It examines the diversity of American families- giving equal attention to all racial, ethnic, and other societal groups- and examines not only the choices, but the constraints that often limit our family-related choices today. This open-minded approach, combined with a set of practical guidelines presented in each lecture, encourages students to think and act for themselves- and thereby join the effort to resolve some of the crucial issues confronting 21st century families. Although compiled from a sociological perspective, the course incorporates material from other disciplines as well- e.g., history, economics, social work, psychology, law, biology, and anthropology- all supported by both quantitative and qualitative research- most from the mid to late 1990s.

Outline. The following aspects are reflected in this course:

• I. MARRIAGE AND THE FAMILY IN PERSPECTIVE. The Changing Family. Studying Marriage and the Family. The Family in Historical Perspective.
• II. THE INDIVIDUAL AND DEVELOPING RELATIONSHIPS. Gender Roles and Socialization. Love and Loving Relationships. Sexuality and Sexual Expression Throughout Life.
• III. INDIVIDUAL AND MARITAL COMMITMENTS. Choosing Others: Dating and Mate Selection. Singlehood, Cohabitation, and Other Nonmarital Living Arrangements. Marriage and Communication in Intimate Relationships.
• IV. PARENTS AND CHILDREN. To Be or Not to Be a Parent: More Choices, More Constraints. Raising Children: Contemporary Prospects and Pitfalls. Racial and Ethnic Families: Strengths and Stresses.
• V. CONFLICTS AND CRISES. Families and Work: Facing the Economic Squeeze. Family Violence and Other Crisis-Related Issues in Family Life. Separation and Divorce.
• VI. CHANGES AND TRANSITIONS. Remarriage and Stepfamilies: Life After Divorce. Aging and Family Life: Grandparents, the Widowed, and Caregivers. The Family in the Twenty-First Century.

Psychology of Life

Credits: 22

Synopsis. This course deals with the principles of management. It demonstrates the real-world applications of management concepts and makes management come alive by bringing real managers and students together. As it successfully integrates the various functions of management, this course establishes a dialogue with managers from a variety of fields.

Outline. The following aspects are reflected in this course:

• The Science of Sociology in Your Life
• Research Methods in Sociology
• The Biological Bases of Behavior
• Sensation and Perception
• Mind, Consciousness, and Alternate States
• Learning and Behavior Analysis
• Memory
• Cognitive Processes
• Intelligence and Intelligence Testing
• Human Development Across the Life Span
• Motivation
• Emotion, Stress, and Health. Emotions
• Sociology in Your Life: Why Are Some People Happier Than Others? Stress of Living
• Personality
• Psychological Disorders
• Therapies for Psychological Disorders
• Social Cognition and Relationships
• Social Processes, Society, and Culture

See Sociology Course Fees

TOP