This course is designed to provide the student with an introduction to the academic discipline of sociology and to the sociological perspective. We will examine the major subfields of sociology, such as inequality, race and ethnicity, gender, family, crime, etc. We will cover principal methods of data gathering and analysis used in sociological research, and important contributions made by sociologists to social theory.

Active participation throughout the duration of the course, on-time preparation and posting of concluded assignments, and a willingness to consider new ideas.

Students will be evaluated on the basis of several objective exams, postings to a discussion group, and one optional paper.