RIPHAH INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE

Associate Degree Program

Course Title : Introduction to Sociology

Course Number :
Credit Hours :3
Course Pre-requisite :
Course Duration : 16 weeks

Course Description:
Sociology is the study of human social interaction. Sociologists try to stand back and look at
human interaction from a broad perspective. Sociology studies everything from seemingly
individualistic behaviors like body piercing to global social phenomena like the international
movement to ban land mines. This course involves both an explanation of and active practice in
using the sociological perspective to examine the world around us. It introduces sociology as a
discipline and sociological ways of understanding human social interaction and processes such as
socialization, deviance, culture/society, and social change.

Course Objectives:
This course will help students:
 To acquaint the participants with the concepts of Society and culture with necessary related
details.
 To help participants understand society through various social perspectives with a view
to focus on the dynamics of the concept.
 To enable the participants to comprehend the origin , patterns and changes of social
phenomena with a view to understand the underlying processes.
 Cultivate capabilities in the students to know the problems and challenges.

Learning Outcomes:
After studying this course, students should be able to:
 Use the conceptual language of sociology to map and analyze aspects of their own lives.
 Demonstrate an understanding of the cultural basis for human diversity.
 Demonstrate an awareness of the individual dynamics of unequal power relations between
groups in contemporary society.
 Understand the Business world in sociological perspective.

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Violation of Academic Honesty Policy:

If any of the Projects / Book Review / Assignments that are identical or virtually identical, such
cases will receive a Zero. If you violate the Academic Honesty policy for a second time, you will
receive a Failing grade for the course.

General Classroom Norms:

Class attendance is mandatory. You may miss up to 25% (8 out of 32 sessions) class sessions but
save it for emergency only. In case you exceed this level, you will be withdrawn from the course.
As a courtesy to the instructor and other students, be prepared to arrive at class and be in your seat
on time. In addition, please note that each class lasts for 90 minutes (1.5 Hours).

Also keep in mind some general rules in the class as given below:
 Cell phones should be powered off.
 Eatables are not allowed in the class.
 The teacher will not tolerate any disruptive behavior in the class.
 The University Dress Code has to be observed, no warnings will be given, and violators will
be asked politely to leave the class and consequently will be marked absent.

Participation:
Students are expected to attend all class periods and to have read the assigned material and cases in
advance of class (although not necessarily with perfect comprehension). Advanced preparation and
class participation are crucial for periods in which we discuss cases. During discussion sessions, the
instructor generally keeps track of the insightful and useful comments students make.

Grade Distribution:
Evaluation Type Percentage (%) Activities
Quizzes 10 Minimum 4
Assignments 10 Minimum 4
Presentation 10 Minimum 1
Mid Term 30
Final Term 40
Total Points 100

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 Course Contents:

Week Contents Activities

The Sociological Perspective
 The global context
 Origins of sociology
01-02 Assignment 1
 Theoretical perspective of sociology
 Research methods
 Ethics in sociology research

Culture
 Components of symbolic culture
03  Many cultural world Quiz 1
 Cultural universals
 Technology in the global village

Socialization
 Society make us human
 Socialization into the self & mind
04  Learning personality, morality and emotions
 Socialization into gender
 Socialization to the life course

Social Structure & Social Interaction

 Levels of sociological analysis
 Social structure
05 Assignment 2
 The need for both macrosociology & microsociology

Social Groups & Formal Organizations

 Groups within society
 Bureaucracies
06-07  Working for the corporation Quiz 2
 Technology and control of workers (Week 06)

Deviance and Social Control

 The symbolic interactions perspective
 The functionalist perspective
08
 The conflict perspective
MID TERM
Race and Ethnicity
 Laying the sociological foundation
 Prejudice and discrimination

3
 10  Global patterns of intergroup relations Assignment 3

Politics and the Economy

 Establishing and leadership
 Types of government
11-12 Quiz 3
 The economy: Work in the global village (Week 12)
 World economic system
Marriage and Family
 Marriage and family in theoretical perspective
 Family life Cycle
13  The future of marriage and family

Education and Religion

 Education in global perspective
 Providing social benefits
 Perpetuating social inequality Assignment 4
14  The need for educational reforms
 The future of religion

Population and Urbanization

 Population Growth
 Urbanization Quiz 4
15 (Week 15)
 Construction our Racial-Ethic identity

Social Change and the Environment

 How social change transform social life
 Theories and processes of social Change Presentation
16-17 (Week 16)
 How technology change our life

FINAL TERM