Intro to Sociology – Online Higher Education Course
This 100% online sociology course teaches students how their individual experiences are shaped by society—and how their individual actions, in turn, shape society. Students gain a more nuanced understanding of modern life through examples pulled from the headlines.
A New Way to Learn Sociology
In this Intro to Sociology course, students will:
- Examine and explain social situations using the sociological imagination.
- Explain how sociology is distinct from other social sciences.
- Distinguish between the use of various research methods.
- Compare the major theoretical perspectives in sociology.
- Explain the various forms of social stratification in society.
- Explain how individual choices are shaped by culture, social structure, and groups.
Gen Ed That Simply Works
Turnkey Courses
With online, asynchronous courses that are ready to run, you can deliver high-quality learning and outcomes predictably and affordably.
Curriculum You Can Trust
Every course is recommended by the American Council on Education. So you can trust the curriculum meets rigorous academic standards.
Captivating Student Experience
Students enjoy cinematic lectures from experts in the field and interactive, mastery-based learning—all in a flexible, 14-week course that fits their schedules.
Unlimited Enrollment
With no minimum or maximum enrollment, students get the courses they need when they need them, so they stay on track in their degree program.
Discover the magic of learning with Intro to Sociology
Watch the Trailer
Explore the fabric of society.
-
Key Concepts
-
Learning Outcomes
-
Assessments
-
Educator Support
-
World-Class Instructors
Key Concepts Covered
-
The Field of Sociology
- Defining sociology
- Sociological perspectives
- Sociological research methods
- Approaches to sociological research
-
Culture and Socialization
- Culture: symbols, values, and toolkits
- Material culture and cultural change
- Culture and inequality
- Socialization
- Self-development
- Groups and formal organizations
-
Social Stratification and Deviance
- Social stratification
- Social mobility and poverty
- Race and ethnicity
- Stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination
- Intergroup relationships
- Sociological views on sex, sexuality, and gender
- Social deviance and social control
- Crime and the law
-
Family, Religion, and Education
- Sociological views on family
- The sociological approach to religion
- Religion in the U.S.
- Sociological views on education
- Educational outcomes and the opportunity gap
- Structure, agency, and forms of capital
-
Health and the Environment
- The sociology of health and illness
- Health disparities and disabilities
- Comparative healthcare systems
- The environment and society
- Climate change
- Social movements and media
Course Learning Outcome
-
Course Learning Outcomes
- Examine and explain social situations using the sociological imagination.
- Explain how sociology is distinct from other social sciences.
- Distinguish between the use of various research methods.
- Compare the major theoretical perspectives in sociology.
- Explain the various forms of social stratification in society.
- Explain how individual choices are shaped by culture, social structure, and groups.
Assessments
-
Quizzes and Exams
- Course quizzes and exams consist of multiple choice, true/false, select all that apply, matching, and open-response questions. All are autograded by the LMS, so educators can spend more time with students and less time grading.
Educator Support & Dashboard
-
Access All Course MaterialEducators and administrators have full access to the Partner Dashboard and all course material from Day 1.
-
View Course MilestonesEasy-to-use tools show milestone dates and deadlines for the cohort, as well as the full weekly course schedule.
-
Monitor Student Progress in Real TimeCoach students throughout the course—from registration to the final exam—with complete reporting on their current course grades, assessment scores, and engagement with course material.
-
Download Student Grades & ProgressEducators and administrators can download student grades and full progress report details in CSV format.
-
Review Student Submissions for Graded AssessmentsEducators and administrators can view student-submitted answers to assignments, quizzes, and exams.
World-Class Instructors
-
World-Class Instructors
We selected a dream team of 8 instructors from diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise to introduce your students to the field of sociology.
- Shamus Khan, Ph.D., Princeton University
- Rashawn Ray, Ph.D., University of Maryland
- Alicia Simmons, Ph.D., Colgate University
- Mary J. Osirim, Ph.D., Bryn Mawr College
- Karen Barkey, Ph.D., Bard College
- Anindya Kundu, Ph.D., Florida International University
- Joslyn Brenton, Ph.D., Ithaca College
- Dana Fisher, Ph.D., University of Maryland
Frequently Asked Questions About Intro to Sociology
-
How are Outlier courses structured?Outlier courses are divided into a series of chapters and sections. Each section contains cinematic video lectures and active learning (our interactive digital textbook) that help students learn the course content. Students demonstrate their knowledge on graded assessments, including mastery-based quizzes they can retake up to 5 times.
-
Are there any course prerequisites?No.
-
Are there any student eligibility requirements?
Students must be at least 13 years old. Students who enroll in an Outlier course should be ready for the academic rigor of college-level coursework and carefully consider their existing responsibilities and dedication.
-
What technology does my school need to take Outlier courses?
Each student must have access to technology that meets the technical requirements noted in this Help Center article.
-
What is the minimum/maximum enrollment?
All Outlier courses have unlimited enrollment, with no minimum or maximum. So they easily adapt to your scheduling and staffing needs.
-
What support is available for educators?
Your educators get complete visibility into student progress in the Partner Dashboard, including:
- Progress monitoring based on the course syllabus and schedule
- Grade pacing and forecasting based on students’ performance
-
Is the course completely online?Yes, Outlier courses are 100% online and asynchronous. Your students can learn during any class period—anywhere in the universe with Wi-Fi and a laptop or desktop computer.