Intro to Sociology
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Welcome to the Introduction to Sociology course, part of the series for the Pre-Health Sciences Training Certificate. This course and the certificate are designed primarily for learners interested in preparing for and gaining entry to health-related programs and to help address the prerequisites for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).
Our Introduction to Sociology course provides learners with a comprehensive overview of Sociological theories and topics, such as culture, societal structures, social institutions, socialization, and inequality, among others.
The Introduction to Sociology course is sponsored in part by the International Development Research Centre and the University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine. Like all NextGenU.org courses, it is competency-based, using competencies based on the Association of American Medical Colleges’ Medical College Admission Test. It uses learning resources from accredited, academic, professional, and world-class organizations and universities, such as Rice University. This course was designed by Sherian Bachan, M.Sc., B.Sc.; Alixandria Ali, B.Sc.; Reisha Narine, M.Sc., B.Sc.; Aduke Williams, BA; Rebecca Mahabir, B.Sc., MBA; and Kabiru Gulma, B. Pharm, Ph.D. M.Sc., MBA.
For publications on the efficacy of NextGenU.org’s courses, see NextGenU.org’s publication page.
There are seven (7) modules to complete, which provide an introduction to:Module 1: Introduction to Sociology Theories
Module 2: Social Identity and Social Thinking
Module 3: Socialization and Human Behavior
Module 4: Social Institutions
Module 5: Culture and Society
Module 6: Demographic Structure of Society
Module 7: Social Stratification and InequalityThe completion time for this course is estimated at 63 hours, comprising 15 hours of learning resources, 31 hours of studying and assimilation of the content, and 17 hours of participating in learning activities and quizzes to assist learners in synthesizing learning materials. This course is equivalent to 1 credit hour in the U.S. undergraduate/bachelor’s degree system.
The course requires the completion of all quizzes, discussion forums, and activities to receive a course certificate. Practice quizzes are available throughout the course and contain ten multiple-choice questions each. After completing each module, quiz, and learning activity, at the end of the course, you will have access to a final exam consisting of 40 multiple-choice questions and a chance to evaluate this course. Participants have up to three opportunities to take the final exam and achieve the required passing score of >=80%. Once you have passed the final exam and completed the evaluations, you can download a certificate of completion from NextGenU.org and our course’s co-sponsoring organizations.
We keep your personal information confidential, never sell any of your information, and only use anonymized data for research purposes. Also, we are happy to report your testing information and share your work with anyone (your school, employer, etc.) at your request.
Engaging with this Course:
This free course is for students who have graduated from high school and want to prepare to become a health professional and/or pass the MCAT exam. You may also browse this free course for your personal enrichment. There are no requirements.
To PASS and Obtain a Certificate, a learner must first register for the course and then successfully complete the following:
- The pre-test,
- All the reading requirements,
- All quizzes and pass with 80% with unlimited attempts,
- All discussion forums,
- The final exam with a minimum of 80% and a maximum of 3 attempts, and
- The self and course evaluation forms.
To obtain credit:
- Complete all requirements listed above for the certificate, and
- Your learning institution or workplace should approve the partner-university-sponsored NextGenU.org course for educational credit, as they usually would for their learner taking a course anywhere.
NextGenU.org is happy to provide your institution with the following:
- A link to the description of the course training so they can see all of its components, including the co-sponsoring institution,
- Your grade on the final exam,
- Your work products (e.g., discussion forum responses) and any other required or optional shared materials you produce and authorize to share with them,
- Your evaluations -- course and self-assessments, and
- A copy of your certificate of completion with the co-sponsoring organizations listed.
To obtain a degree, NextGenU.org co-sponsors degree programs with institutional partners. To obtain a full degree co-sponsored with NextGenU.org, registrants must be enrolled in a degree program as a student of a NextGenU.org institutional partner. If you think your institution might be interested in offering a degree with NextGenU.org, contact us.
We hope you will find this a rewarding learning experience, and we count on your assessment and feedback to help us improve this training for future students.
Here are the next steps to take the course and earn a certificate:
- Complete the registration form,
- Take the pre-test, and
- Begin the course with Module 1: Introduction to Sociology Theories. In each lesson, read the description, complete all required readings and any required activity, as well as take the corresponding quizzes.
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Instructional Goals covered in this module:
- Understand that sociology is a science, highlight its importance, and explain the foundational theories in sociology.
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Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Explain concepts central to sociology.
- Describe how different sociological perspectives have developed.
- Explain why it is worthwhile to study sociology.
- Identify how sociology is applied in the real world.
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Required Learning Resources and Activities
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Students mustView
Read the content under the heading "What Are Society and Culture?" (2 minutes)
2023
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Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:- Explain why sociology emerged when it did.
- Describe how sociology became a separate academic discipline.
- Differentiate between microsociology and macrosociology and their importance in studying social phenomena.
- Describe the ways that sociological theories are used to explain social institutions.
- Differentiate between functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism.
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Required Learning Resources and Activities
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Students mustMark as done
Slide Deck Presentation
The slide deck summarizes the content covered in Introduction to Sociology Theories. The required learning resources cover the material in more depth and will help you participate in the activities more comprehensively. -
Students mustView
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Students mustMark as done
Quiz
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Students mustViewReceive a gradeReceive a passing grade
To access the quiz, click on the name of the quiz provided above. On the following screen, click the attempt quiz button to view the case studies and respond to the questions.
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Instructional Goals covered in this module:
- Understand social identity and other related key concepts, discuss its importance to human behavior and how cultural norms and values influence social identity, and explain how social comparisons with others and reference groups influence our sense of self.
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Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:- Explain the concept of social identity and why it is important to human behavior.
- Describe the ways in which social identity intersects with other dimensions of identity, such as race, gender, and sexual orientation.
- Discuss the impact of cultural norms and values on the formation of social identity.
- Explain the concept of the "Looking Glass Self" and how our sense of self is influenced by others’ views of us.
- Explain the concept of reference groups and their role in shaping social identity.
- Describe the Social Comparison Theory and how our sense of self is influenced by comparisons with others.
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Required Learning Resources and Activities
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Students mustView
Read the contents under the heading "Social Identity Theory: Our Sense of Self Is Influenced by the Groups We Belong To." (10 minutes)
2022
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Students mustView
Read the contents under the heading "Identity Formation". (9 minutes)
2021
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Students mustView
Read the section titled "The Looking-Glass Self: Our Sense of Self is Influenced by Others’ Views of Us." (6 minutes)
2022
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Students mustView
Read the section titled "Social Comparison Theory: Our Sense of Self Is Influenced by Comparisons with Others." (6 minutes)
2022
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Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:- Describe the concept of self-presentation and the various strategies used to portray ourselves to others, including the dramaturgical approach.
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Students mustMark as done
Required Learning Resources and Activities
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Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:- Define self-esteem, self-concept, and self-efficacy.
- Explain how self-concept is heavily influenced by the process of social comparison.
- Differentiate how upward and downward comparisons influence our self-esteem.
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Students mustMark as done
Required Learning Resources and Activities
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Students mustView
Read the section "Introduction: What Is Self-Efficacy?" (6 minutes)
2021
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Students mustView
Read the section titled "Upward and Downward Comparisons Influence Our Self-Esteem." (9 minutes)
2022
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Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:- Identify theories of identity development, including gender, moral, psychosexual, and social.
- Explain the process of moral development.
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Students mustMark as done
Required Learning Resources and Activities
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Students mustMark as done
Quiz
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Students mustViewReceive a gradeReceive a passing grade
To access the quiz, click on the name of the quiz provided above. On the following screen, click the attempt quiz button to view the case studies and respond to the questions.
- Identify theories of identity development, including gender, moral, psychosexual, and social.
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Instructional Goals covered in this module:
- Understand the evolution of society from pre-industrial to post-industrial, highlight the different theoretical perspectives on society, and explain the role of socialization in shaping human behavior.
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Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:- Describe the difference between preindustrial, industrial, and postindustrial societies.
- Explain the role of the environment in preindustrial societies.
- Interpret the ways that technology impacts societal development and the socialization process.
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Required Learning Resources and Activities
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Students mustView
Read the section titled "An overview of impacts on development."(3 minutes)
2022
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Students mustMark as done
Activities
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Students mustViewStart discussions: 1
In this activity, you will reflect on the impact of technology in your own settings. You will elaborate on how it has impacted socialization and the development of society.
Instructions:
Step 1: Review
Review the required learning materials for this lesson.
Step 2: Respond
Prepare a 250-300 word piece describing the impact of technology in your community. Your response should address the following points:
- Describe how technology is used in your community.
- Explain how it has impacted aspects of socialization.
- Explains its impact on your community’s development.
Step 3: Share
To share your work, click the “Add a new discussion topic” button under this post and paste your work in the “Message” box. Make sure to reference others’ intellectual property when necessary. All references should follow 7th Edition APA formatting. For further instructions, see the resource on the Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library: APA citation resource (N.B. references are excluded from word counts).
Step 4: Interact
Evaluate and categorize the work of one of your peers based on items A - D of this rubric. Provide a rationale for the grade you have given and comments or suggestions for improvement. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback, and click “Post to forum.” You can use the list below as an example:
Item A is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….
Item B is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….
Item C is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….
Item D is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….OPTIONAL Step 5: Interact (10 minutes)
If you would like to, you can reply to your peers' posts in a respectful and professional manner. Ensure that your post engages your peers' ideas by including a reflection on their comments, sharing ideas of other potential difficulties and parties involved, or asking thought-provoking questions. If a peer comments on your posting, please reply. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback and then click on “Post to forum.”
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Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:- Describe Durkheim’s functionalist view of society.
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Summarize the conflict theorist's view of society.
- Explain Marx’s concepts of class and alienation.
- Identify how symbolic interactionists understand society.
- Interpret the sociological concept of reality as a social construct.
- Define roles and describe their places in people’s daily interactions.
- Explain how individuals present themselves and perceive themselves in a social context.
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Students mustMark as done
Required Learning Resources and Activities
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Students mustView
Read the sections "Émile Durkheim and Functionalism" and "Karl Marx and Conflict Theory." (14 minutes)
2021
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Students mustView
Read the contents under the headings "Karl Marx and Conflict Theory" and "Max Weber and Symbolic Interactionism". (13 minutes)
2023
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Students mustMark as done
Activities
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Students mustViewStart discussions: 1
In this activity, you will reflect on theoretical perspectives of society. Discuss how these views and concepts relate to the concept of reality and social construct.
Instructions:
Step 1: Review
Review the required learning materials for this lesson.
Step 2: Respond
Prepare a 250-300 word piece discussing the various theoretical perspectives of society. Your response should address the following points:
- Explain social constructionism and how it shapes our understanding of reality.
- Describe how symbolic interactionist and social constructionist perspectives differ in their understanding of how society is constructed.
- Explain how different cultural, social, or historical contexts shape our perceptions of reality and provide real-world examples that illustrate the ideas presented about reality.
Step 3: Share
To share your work, click the “Add a new discussion topic” button under this post and paste your work in the “Message” box. Make sure to reference others’ intellectual property when necessary. All references should follow 7th Edition APA formatting. For further instructions, see the resource on the Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library: APA citation resource (N.B. references are excluded from word counts).
Step 4: Interact
Evaluate and categorize the work of one of your peers based on items A - E of this rubric. Provide a rationale for the grade you have given and comments or suggestions for improvement. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback, and click “Post to forum.” You can use the list below as an example:Item A is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….
Item B is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….
Item C is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….
Item D is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….
Item E is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….OPTIONAL Step 5: Interact (10 minutes)
If you would like to, you can reply to your peers' posts in a respectful and professional manner. Ensure that your post engages your peers' ideas by including a reflection on their comments, sharing ideas of other potential difficulties and parties involved, or asking thought-provoking questions. If a peer comments on your posting, please reply. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback and then click on “Post to forum.”
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Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:- Describe the importance of socialization, both for individuals and society.
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Explain the nature versus nurture debate.
- Discuss the concept of social influence, including persuasion, social norms, and their impact on behavior.
- Explain how socialization occurs and recurs throughout life.
- Apply socialization to age-related transition points.
- Describe when and how resocialization occurs.
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Students mustMark as done
Required Learning Resources and Activities
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Students mustMark as done
Activities
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Students mustViewStart discussions: 1
Jai, a 7-year-old boy from a rural town in Pidie, Indonesia, has recently been adopted and moved to Toronto, Canada. He is now learning to navigate a new language, school system, and cultural and social norms. His adoptive parents, who were both born and raised in Toronto, are doing their best to support Jai's transition and help him adapt to his new life in the city.
Instructions:
Step 1: Review
Review the case scenario above and read the required learning materials for this lesson.
Step 2: Respond
Based on the case scenario above, prepare a 250-300 word piece explaining the importance of socialization. Your response should address the following points:
- Describe factors that might impact Jai’s socialization in his new environment.
- Explain how Jai's experiences in Toronto, such as learning a new language and adapting to new cultural norms, shape his sense of identity and understanding of self.
- Explain how Jai’s socialization process may change over time as he grows older and becomes more integrated into his new cultural environment.
Step 3: Share
To share your work, click the “Add a new discussion topic” button under this post and paste your work in the “Message” box. Make sure to reference others’ intellectual property when necessary. All references should follow 7th Edition APA formatting. For further instructions, see the resource on the Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library: APA citation resource (N.B. references are excluded from word counts).
Step 4: Interact
Evaluate and categorize the work of one of your peers based on items A - D of this rubric. Provide a rationale for the grade you have given and comments or suggestions for improvement. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback, and click “Post to forum.” You can use the list below as an example:Item A is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….
Item B is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….
Item C is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….
Item D is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….OPTIONAL Step 5: Interact (10 minutes)
If you would like to, you can reply to your peers' posts in a respectful and professional manner. Ensure that your post engages your peers' ideas by including a reflection on their comments, sharing ideas of other potential difficulties and parties involved, or asking thought-provoking questions. If a peer comments on your posting, please reply. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback and then click on “Post to forum.”
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Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:- Differentiate between primary and secondary groups.
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Define reference groups.
- Recognize in-groups and out-groups as subtypes of primary and secondary groups.
- Explain the ways that size influences group dynamics.
- Differentiate among styles of leadership.
- Interpret the impact of groups on individual behavior.
- Distinguish the types of formal organizations.
- Recognize the characteristics of bureaucracies.
- Identify the impact of McDonaldization on society.
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Students mustMark as done
Required Learning Resources and Activities
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Students mustMark as done
Slide Deck Presentation
The slide deck summarizes the content covered in Socialization and Human Behavior. The required learning resources cover the material in more depth and will help you participate in the activities more comprehensively. -
Students mustView
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Students mustView
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Students mustMark as done
Activities
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Students mustViewStart discussions: 1
In this activity, you will reflect on the differences between different formal organizations and understand how the concept of McDonaldization relates to formal organizations and group dynamics. You will describe and elaborate on the dynamics of groups and leadership.
Instructions:
Step 1: Review
Review the required learning materials for this lesson.
Step 2: Respond
Prepare a 250-300 word piece discussing the dynamics of groups and leadership. Your response should address the following points:
- Discuss the key factors that influence the effectiveness of leadership in groups, and determine how leaders can manage group dynamics to achieve their goals.
- Explain how different types of formal organizations affect the way work is organized.
- Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of McDonaldization.
- Explain how leaders can balance the need for efficiency and standardization with the need for creativity, innovation, and diversity in the workplace in the context of McDonaldization and other forms of rationalization.
Step 3: Share
To share your work, click the “Add a new discussion topic” button under this post and paste your work in the “Message” box. Make sure to reference others’ intellectual property when necessary. All references should follow 7th Edition APA formatting. For further instructions, see the resource on the Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library: APA citation resource (N.B. references are excluded from word counts).
Step 4: Interact
Evaluate and categorize the work of one of your peers based on items A - E of this rubric. Provide a rationale for the grade you have given and comments or suggestions for improvement. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback, and click “Post to forum.” You can use the list below as an example:Item A is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….
Item B is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….
Item C is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….
Item D is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….
Item E is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….OPTIONAL Step 5: Interact (10 minutes)
If you would like to, you can reply to your peers' posts in a respectful and professional manner. Ensure that your post engages your peers' ideas by including a reflection on their comments, sharing ideas of other potential difficulties and parties involved, or asking thought-provoking questions. If a peer comments on your posting, please reply. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback and then click on “Post to forum.”
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Students mustMark as done
Quiz
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Students mustViewReceive a gradeReceive a passing grade
To access the quiz, click on the name of the quiz provided above. On the following screen, click the attempt quiz button to view the case studies and respond to the questions.
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Instructional Goals covered in this module:
Understand the role of social institutions and their impact on human behavior and society, including the effects of socialization on identity formation, the reproduction of social inequality, and the maintenance of social order, and apply sociological theories and concepts to analyze real-world examples of social institutions.
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Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:- Discuss how educational segregation and stratification shape individual behavior.
- Define manifest and latent functions of education and the role of hidden curriculum.
- Explain how teacher expectancy and self-fulfilling prophecy shapes human behavior.
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Required Learning Resources and Activities
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Students mustView
Read the sections titled "Manifest Functions", "Conflict Theory", and "Latent Functions." (12 minutes)
2023
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Students mustView
Read the sections titled "Symbolic Interactionism" and "Conflict Theory" (7 minutes)
2023
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Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:- Describe society’s understanding of family.
- Recognize variations in family life.
- Discuss the social impact of changing family structures.
- Describe the social and interpersonal impact of divorce.
- Describe the social and interpersonal impact of family abuse.
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Students mustMark as done
Required Learning Resources and Activities
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Students mustView
Read the section titled "14.1. What Is Marriage? What Is a Family?" (26 minutes)
2014
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Students mustView
Read the section titled "14.2. Variations in Family Life." (29 minutes)
2014
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Students mustView
Read the contents under the heading "Changing family structures." (4 minutes)
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Students mustView
Read the section titled "14.3. Challenges Families Face." (27 minutes)
2014
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Students mustMark as done
Activities
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Students mustViewStart discussions: 1
The Thompson family includes James, Karen, and their two children. After ten years of marriage, they decide to get a divorce. The children are confused and upset, and Karen struggles with the end of her marriage. James moves out, and this causes some difficulties for Karen.
Instructions:
Step 1: Review
Review the case scenario above and read the required learning materials for this lesson.
Step 2: Respond
Based on the case scenario above, prepare a 250-300 word piece discussing the changing dynamics of the Thompson family. Your response should address the following points:
- Explain the ways in which divorce may affect the roles of the parents.
- Explain how the children’s experience of the divorce may differ from those of the parents.
- Describe how gender and societal norms and expectations around marriage and divorce contribute to the challenges faced by families experiencing divorce.
Step 3: Share
To share your work, click the “Add a new discussion topic” button under this post and paste your work in the “Message” box. Make sure to reference others’ intellectual property when necessary. All references should follow 7th Edition APA formatting. For further instructions, see the resource on the Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library: APA citation resource (N.B. references are excluded from word counts).
Step 4: Interact
Evaluate and categorize the work of one of your peers based on items A - D of this rubric. Provide a rationale for the grade you have given and comments or suggestions for improvement. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback, and click “Post to forum.” You can use the list below as an example:Item A is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….
Item B is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….
Item C is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….
Item D is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….OPTIONAL Step 5: Interact (10 minutes)
If you would like to, you can reply to your peers' posts in a respectful and professional manner. Ensure that your post engages your peers' ideas by including a reflection on their comments, sharing ideas of other potential difficulties and parties involved, or asking thought-provoking questions. If a peer comments on your posting, please reply. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback and then click on “Post to forum.”
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Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:- Define religiosity.
- Describe the differences between various types of religious organizations.
- Discuss changing trends in religion, religious beliefs, and the rise of secularization.
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Students mustMark as done
Required Learning Resources and Activities
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Students mustView
Read the section titled "Measuring Religious Identity." (3 minutes)
2022
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Students mustView
Read the section titled "15.2. Types of Religious Organizations." (6 minutes)
2014
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Students mustView
Read the section titled "15.3. Religion and Social Change." (8 minutes)
2014
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Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:- Define and differentiate between power and authority.
- Identify and describe the three types of authority.
- Define common forms of government, such as monarchy, oligarchy, dictatorship, and democracy.
- Differentiate the ways that functionalists, conflict theorists, and interactionists view government and politics.
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Required Learning Resources and Activities
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Students mustView
Read the entire page. (8 minutes)
2023
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Students mustMark as done
Activities
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Students mustViewStart discussions: 1
In this activity, you will reflect on the theoretical perspectives of functionalists, conflict theorists and interactionists pertaining to government and politics. You will discuss these views in terms of the political environment in your own country.
Instructions:
Step 1: Review
Review the required learning materials for this lesson.
Step 2: Respond
Prepare a 250-300 word piece describing government and politics in your own country/setting. Your response should address the following KEY points:
- Describe the type of authority and form of government in your country.
- How do these different theoretical perspectives inform your understanding of the political environment in your country?
- Explain what aspects of government and politics these perspectives help us to analyze.
- Discuss how these theoretical perspectives might help you better understand current political events and issues in your country.
Step 3: Share
To share your work, click the “Add a new discussion topic” button under this post and paste your work in the “Message” box. Make sure to reference others’ intellectual property when necessary. All references should follow 7th Edition APA formatting. For further instructions, see the resource on the Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library: APA citation resource (N.B. references are excluded from word counts).
Step 4: Interact
Evaluate and categorize the work of one of your peers based on items A - D of this rubric. Provide a rationale for the grade you have given and comments or suggestions for improvement. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback, and click “Post to forum.” You can use the list below as an example:Item A is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….
Item B is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….
Item C is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….
Item D is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….OPTIONAL Step 5: Interact (10 minutes)
If you would like to, you can reply to your peers' posts in a respectful and professional manner. Ensure that your post engages your peers' ideas by including a reflection on their comments, sharing ideas of other potential difficulties and parties involved, or asking thought-provoking questions. If a peer comments on your posting, please reply. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback and then click on “Post to forum.”
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Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:- Define medical sociology.
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Differentiate between the cultural meaning of illness, the social construction of illness, and the social construction of medical knowledge.
- Discuss the concept of medicalization and how it impacts society.
- Explain the concept of illness experience and its impact on the individual and society.
- Describe the impact of healthcare delivery systems on individuals and society.
- Explain the impact of social, cultural, and environmental factors on the distribution of illness and health outcomes in populations.
- Discuss the theoretical perspectives on health and medicine.
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Students mustMark as done
Required Learning Resources and Activities
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Students mustView
Read the section titled "Health by Gender." (5 minutes)
2023
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Students mustView
Read the section titled "19.1. The Social Construction of Health." (10 minutes)
2014
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Students mustView
Read the contents under the headings in 19.3. Health in Canada titled "Health by Race and Ethnicity","Health by Socioeconomic Status, and "Health by Gender". (11 minutes)
2014
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Students mustView
Read the section titled "19.2. Global Health." (5 minutes)
2014
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Students mustView
Read the section titled "19.4. Theoretical Perspectives on Health and Medicine." (11 minutes)
2014
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Slide Deck Presentation
The slide deck summarizes the content covered in Social Institutions. The required learning resources cover the material in more depth and will help you participate in the activities more comprehensively. -
Students mustView
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Students mustView
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Students mustView
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Students mustView
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Students mustView
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Students mustMark as done
Activities
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Students mustViewStart discussions: 1
In this activity, you will reflect on concepts such as “the cultural meaning of illness,” “the social construction of illness experience,” and “the social construction of medical knowledge.” You will discuss these in relation to illness and health outcomes in your setting.
Instructions:
Step 1: Review
Review the required learning materials for this lesson.
Step 2: Respond
Prepare a 250-300 word written piece discussing the impact of “the cultural meaning of illness,” “the social construction of illness experience,” and “the social construction of medical knowledge” on illness and health outcomes in your setting. Your response should address the following points:
- Explain how the cultural meaning of illness and the social construction of illness experience influence the experience of illness and health outcomes in your setting.
- Describe the role cultural factors play in shaping the ways in which medical knowledge is produced and disseminated in your setting.
Step 3: Share
To share your work, click the “Add a new discussion topic” button under this post and paste your work in the “Message” box. Make sure to reference others’ intellectual property when necessary. All references should follow 7th Edition APA formatting. For further instructions, see the resource on the Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library: APA citation resource (N.B. references are excluded from word counts).
Step 4: Interact
Evaluate and categorize the work of one of your peers based on items A - D of this rubric. Provide a rationale for the grade you have given and comments or suggestions for improvement. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback, and click “Post to forum.” You can use the list below as an example:Item A is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….
Item B is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….
Item C is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….
Item D is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….OPTIONAL Step 5: Interact (10 minutes)
If you would like to, you can reply to your peers' posts in a respectful and professional manner. Ensure that your post engages your peers' ideas by including a reflection on their comments, sharing ideas of other potential difficulties and parties involved, or asking thought-provoking questions. If a peer comments on your posting, please reply. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback and then click on “Post to forum.”
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Students mustMark as done
Quiz
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Students mustViewReceive a gradeReceive a passing grade
To access the quiz, click on the name of the quiz provided above. On the following screen, click the attempt quiz button to view the case studies and respond to the questions.
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Instructional Goals covered in this module:
Understand key concepts related to culture, explain the role of culture in shaping human behavior, values, beliefs, and norms in different societies, and discuss the evolution of culture over time.
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Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:- Describe the elements of culture, including beliefs, language, rituals, symbols, and values.
- Differentiate between material and symbolic culture and explain their significance in society.
- Discuss the concept of culture lag and its impact on social change.
- Explain the concept of culture shock and its effects on individuals and society.
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Required Learning Resources and Activities
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Students mustView
Read the content before the heading "Values and Beliefs." (6 minutes)
2022
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Students mustView
Read the content under the heading "Innovation: Discovery and Invention" in 3.3. (8 minutes)
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Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:- Describe the process of assimilation and its impact on cultural diversity.
- Discuss the concept of multiculturalism and its impact on contemporary society.
- Identify the characteristics of subcultures and countercultures in contemporary society.
- Discuss the role of mass media and popular culture in shaping societal values and beliefs.
- Describe the transmission and diffusion of culture across societies and their impact on cultural diversity.
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Students mustMark as done
Required Learning Resources and Activities
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Students mustView
Read the contents under the heading "High, Low, and Popular Culture" and "Subculture and Counterculture". (5 minutes)
2021
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Students mustView
Read the content under the heading "Diffusion and Globalization." (2 minutes)
2021
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Students mustMark as done
Slide Deck Presentation
The slide deck summarizes the content covered in Culture and Society. The required learning resources cover the material in more depth and will help you participate in the activities more comprehensively. -
Students mustView
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Students mustMark as done
Activities
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Students mustViewStart discussions: 1
Alex is a 23-year-old Caribbean native visiting Japan on a college exchange program for a semester. He has never left his home country before and is excited to experience Japanese culture but finds himself feeling overwhelmed and confused by the language barrier and unfamiliar customs. He contemplates returning to his home country two weeks after arriving in Japan.
Instructions:
Step 1: Review
Review the required learning materials for this lesson.
Step 2: Respond
Based on the case scenario above, prepare a 350-500 word written piece discussing cultural diversity, multiculturalism and assimilation. Your response should address the following key points:
- Discuss some of the challenges that Alex might face as a result of the language barrier and unfamiliar customs in Japan.
- Explain how Alex's experience of cultural shock and homesickness is shaped by his identity as a Caribbean native.
- Discuss ways Alex might balance the need for cultural preservation and respect with the need for cultural exchange and openness.
- How can we learn from Alex's experience and use it as a starting point for deeper discussions about cultural diversity and its impact on contemporary society?
Step 3: Share
To share your work, click the “Add a new discussion topic” button under this post and paste your work in the “Message” box. Make sure to reference others’ intellectual property when necessary. All references should follow 7th Edition APA formatting. For further instructions, see the resource on the Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library: APA citation resource (N.B. references are excluded from word counts).
Step 4: Interact
Evaluate and categorize the work of one of your peers based on items A - E of this rubric. Provide a rationale for the grade you have given and comments or suggestions for improvement. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback, and click “Post to forum.” You can use the list below as an example:Item A is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….
Item B is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….
Item C is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….
Item D is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….
Item E is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….OPTIONAL Step 5: Interact (10 minutes)
If you would like to, you can reply to your peers' posts in a respectful and professional manner. Ensure that your post engages your peers' ideas by including a reflection on their comments, sharing ideas of other potential difficulties and parties involved, or asking thought-provoking questions. If a peer comments on your posting, please reply. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback and then click on “Post to forum.”
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Students mustMark as done
Quiz
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Students mustViewReceive a gradeReceive a passing grade
To access the quiz, click on the name of the quiz provided above. On the following screen, click the attempt quiz button to respond to the questions.
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Instructional Goals covered in this module:
- Understand the patterns of demographic changes in society, explain factors influencing population growth and changes, and apply sociological theories on demographic changes.
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Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:- Recognize the demographic structure of society, including age, gender, race and ethnicity, immigration status, and sexual orientation.
- Explain the aging process and the life course, as well as the social significance of aging.
- Differentiate between sex and gender.
- Analyze the social construction of gender and gender segregation.
- Discuss the social construction of race, racialization, and racial formation, and their impact on society.
- Discuss population growth and decline, including population projections and population pyramids.
- Explain theories of demographic change.
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Required Learning Resources and Activities
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Students mustMark as done
Read the section on the difference between sex and gender. (5 minutes)
2021
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Students mustMark as done
Read the contents under the section "Gender and Socialization". (23 minutes)
2023
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Students mustMark as done
Read the entire page. (12 minutes)
2023
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Students mustMark as done
Read the entire page. (5 minutes)
2022
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Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:- Describe the patterns in population change, including fertility and mortality rates and push and pull factors in migration.
- Evaluate globalization and contributing factors.
- Discuss perspectives on globalization and social change including its impact on modernization.
- Describe the process of urbanization and the growth of urban populations worldwide.
- Discuss the function of suburbanization, gentrification, and urban renewal, and their impact on society.
- Discuss urbanization from various sociological perspectives.
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Students mustMark as done
Required Learning Resources and Activities
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Students mustView
Read the section titled "What Is Globalization?" (4 minutes)
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Students mustView
Read the contents under the headings "The Growth of Cities", "Urbanization in the United States", "Suburbs and Exurbs", and "Urbanization around the World" (12 minutes)
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Students mustView
Read the entire page. (16 minutes)
2016
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Students mustView
Read the contents under the heading "Theoretical Perspectives on Urbanization". (4 minutes)
2023
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Students mustMark as done
Slide Deck Presentation
The slide deck summarizes the content covered in Demographic Structure of Society. The required learning resources cover the material in more depth and will help you participate in the activities more comprehensively. -
Students mustView
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Students mustView
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Students mustView
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Students mustView
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Students mustView
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Students mustMark as done
Activities
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Students mustViewStart discussions: 1
In this activity, you will reflect on the patterns of changes in population growth, globalization, and its contributing factors, and how these changes affect society. You will also apply the processes of different sociological perspectives to discuss urbanization and its impact on society.
Instructions:
Step 1: Review
Review the required learning materials for this lesson.
Step 2: Respond
Prepare a 300-500 word piece describing the patterns of changes in population growth and the concept and processes of urbanization. Your response should address the following points:
- Discuss the contributing factors to globalization and how it has impacted population growth.
- Using relevant sociological perspectives, discuss some of the main consequences of urbanization on society, such as changes in social networks, access to services and resources, and urban lifestyles.
- Discuss how patterns of population growth and migration changed over time and what are some of the key drivers of these changes.
- Explain how cultural, political, and economic factors shape urbanization processes and how different societies and regions experience and respond to urbanization differently.
Step 3: Share
To share your work, click the “Add a new discussion topic” button under this post and paste your work in the “Message” box. Make sure to reference others’ intellectual property when necessary. All references should follow 7th Edition APA formatting. For further instructions, see the resource on the Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library: APA citation resource (N.B. references are excluded from word counts).
Step 4: Interact
Evaluate and categorize the work of one of your peers based on items A - D of this rubric. Provide a rationale for the grade you have given and comments or suggestions for improvement. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback, and click “Post to forum.” You can use the list below as an example:Item A is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….
Item B is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….
Item C is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….
Item D is .…. because…. My suggestions for improvement are….OPTIONAL Step 5: Interact (10 minutes)
If you would like to, you can reply to your peers' posts in a respectful and professional manner. Ensure that your post engages your peers' ideas by including a reflection on their comments, sharing ideas of other potential difficulties and parties involved, or asking thought-provoking questions. If a peer comments on your posting, please reply. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback and then click on “Post to forum.”
-
Students mustMark as done
Quiz
-
Students mustViewReceive a gradeReceive a passing grade
To access the quiz, click on the name of the quiz provided above. On the following screen, click the attempt quiz button to respond to the questions.
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Instructional Goals covered in this module:
- Understand social stratification, social inequality, and social mobility, including the mechanisms and barriers that shape individuals' life chances and opportunities in economic, educational, and occupational hierarchies, focusing on the intersectional effects of race, gender, and class, and apply sociological theories.
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Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:- Explain the concept of social stratification and its different aspects, including social class and socioeconomic status.
- Differentiate between class consciousness and false consciousness and how they impact social change.
- Describe the significance of cultural capital and social capital in social mobility.
- Discuss the concept of social reproduction and its role in perpetuating inequality.
- Explain power, privilege, and prestige in the context of social stratification.
- Discuss how race, gender, and age intersect to create multiple levels of inequality.
- Identify global inequalities and explain their causes and consequences.
- Recognize patterns of social mobility, including intergenerational and intragenerational mobility, and vertical and horizontal mobility.
- Discuss the concept of meritocracy and its implications for social mobility.
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Students mustMark as done
Required Learning Resources and Activities
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Students mustView
Read the entire page excluding the section "Social Policy and Debate". (10 minutes)
2023
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Students mustView
Read the content under the heading "Karl Marx and Conflict Theory." (9 minutes)
2023
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Students mustView
Read the content under the heading "Social and Cultural Capital." (8 minutes)
2022
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Students mustView
Read the section titled "Social Reproduction of Inequality." (1 minute)
2020
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Students mustView
Read the content under the heading "Social Class Stratification." (6 minutes)
2022
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Students mustView
Read the content under the heading "Intersectionality." (6 minutes)
2022
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Students mustView
Read the section titled "10.1. Global Stratification and Classification." (23 minutes)
2014
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Students mustView
Read the content under the heading "Social Mobility." (4 minutes)
2023
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Students mustView
Read the section titled "Systems of Stratification." (4 minutes)
2023
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Students mustMark as done
Slide Deck Presentation
The slide deck summarizes the content covered in Social Stratification and Inequality. The required learning resources cover the material in more depth and will help you participate in the activities more comprehensively. -
Students mustView
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Students mustView
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Students mustMark as done
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Students mustMark as done
Quiz
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Students mustViewReceive a gradeReceive a passing grade
To access the quiz, click on the name of the quiz provided above. On the following screen, click the attempt quiz button to respond to the questions.
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Final Exam Quiz
To take the final exam, you must complete all quizzes and complete all the required activities. The final exam consists of 40 questions, and you will have 40 minutes to complete it. When the time is over, you will have two minutes to submit your attempt before it expires, and your progress is discarded. You will not be able to answer additional questions in the grace period.
To access the exam, click on the name of the exam provided above. On the following screen, click the attempt quiz button to respond to the questions.
Not available unless: All of: ...Not available unless:-
All of:
- The activity Course Registration is marked complete
- The activity Pre-Test is marked complete
- The activity Quiz: Module 1 is marked complete
- The activity Quiz: Module 2 is marked complete
- The activity Quiz: Module 3 is marked complete
- The activity Quiz: Module 4 is marked complete
- The activity Quiz: Module 5 is marked complete
- The activity Quiz: Module 6 is marked complete
- The activity Quiz: Module 7 is marked complete
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All of:
- The activity Discussion Forum 1 (100 minutes) is marked complete
- The activity Discussion Forum 2 (100 minutes) is marked complete
- The activity Scenario Discussion 1 (100 minutes) is marked complete
- The activity Discussion Forum 3 (100 minutes) is marked complete
- The activity Scenario Discussion 2 (100 minutes) is marked complete
- The activity Discussion Forum 4 (100 minutes) is marked complete
- The activity Discussion Forum 5 (100 minutes) is marked complete
- The activity Scenario Discussion 3 (100 minutes) is marked complete
- The activity Discussion Forum 6 (100 minutes) is marked complete
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All of:
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In this section, you can provide feedback about this course to help us make NextGenU.org better. Once evaluations are completed, you will be able to download your certificate of completion.-
Course Evaluation QuestionnaireNot available unless: The activity Final Exam is marked complete
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Self Evaluation QuestionnaireNot available unless: The activity Final Exam is marked complete
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Students mustMark as done
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Students mustMark as done
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