About The Course
Social and behavioral science courses, like SYG 2000, provide instruction in the history, key themes, principles, terminology, and underlying theory or methodologies used in the social and behavioral sciences. Students will learn to identify, describe and explain social institutions, structures or processes. These courses emphasize the effective application of accepted problem-solving techniques. Students will apply formal and informal qualitative or quantitative analysis to examine the processes and means by which individuals make personal and group decisions, as well as the evaluation of opinions, outcomes or human behavior. Students are expected to assess and analyze ethical perspectives in individual and societal decisions.
Course Goals
- Introduce students to the basic concepts, theories, and methods that sociologists use. Reading assignments and lectures provide students opportunities to see how social scientist use varied methods to collect information about specific social issues. Moreover, students will critically assess how that information can be used to frame understanding about why social patterns exist and what might be the possible consequences of those patterns.
- Provide students with a brief overview of sociology as a discipline within the social sciences that exposes students to strategies to identify, study, and address social issues and research questions. In-class exercises will provide students with opportunities to work in small teams and apply critical thinking skills to accomplish various tasks (e.g., speculate on the probable social consequences for legislative and technological innovations).
- Help students to develop the ability to understand how various social processes and structures affect one another. This will be accomplished by showing how various social changes related to family, work, education, health, and other matters involve shifts in public perceptions and social initiatives.
- Encourage students to develop a better understanding of how their own lives and significant relationships are shaped by larger social forces.
- Provide students with insights about how individuals' interactions with their family members and friends can affect the larger society.
Satisfied High School Graduation Requirement Subject: Elective (GE)
Dual Enrollment