BARBADOS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
DIVISION OF GENERAL/CONTINUING
EDUCATION
(August 2004)
Principal:
Dr. Gladstone Best (ag)
Deputy
Principal:
DIVISION
OF GENERAL AND CONTINUING EDUCATION
Senior
Tutor: Mr. MacFarrel Howard
INTRODUCTION
TO SOCIOLOGY
COURSE CODE: GEED 102
LONG TITLE: Introduction to Sociology
CONTACT HOURS: 45 Hours
CREDITS: Three (3)
TUTOR: Mrs.
Hazel J. Burke, M.A. hburke@bcc.edu.bb /hjburke@sunbeach.net
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is designed to explore
social institutions and social human behaviour.
It provides the opportunities for students to understand the
relationships between individuals and their society. It presents alternative views on the nature
of society, while exploring important historical and societal concerns. Sociology also assimilates other
disciplines: History, Politics and Law.
GENERAL OBJECTIVES:
This course provides students with
the opportunity to:
i.
demonstrate a critical understanding of basic concepts of
sociological thought;
ii.
develop an awareness of the structure of society;
iii.
compare and contrast theoretical perspectives on the nature
of society;
iv.
express their sociological knowledge both orally and in
writing;
v.
use their sociological discipline to analyse causes and
consequences of social problems and to recommend viable solutions;
vi.
investigate a societal concern objectively, using approved
sociological methodology;
vii.
analyse the origins and effects of social inequalities among
groups;
viii.
apply sociological explanations to developments within their
society.
METHODS
OF INSTRUCTION:
This
course mainly follows a lecture discussion format and student empirical
investigation of social phenomena. Other
methods include small group discussion, oral presentation and the use of audio
and visual stimuli.
METHODS
OF EVALUATION:
A
minimum of three (3) assignments will form the basis of the semesters’
assessment. This assessment will consist
of two (2) in-class assignments in the form of essays and a research project.
The
final examination will be of 2½ hours duration and will be structured in the
form of: short notes, essay questions and a multiple choice section. Course work assignment will be worth forty
percent (40%) of the final grade and the final examination will be worth sixty
percent (60%) of the final grade.
CONTENT
AND STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES
UNIT
I INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGICAL TERMS
AND MAJOR SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES
Content: A list containing approximately (15)
fifteen sociological terms will be defined and explained. The practical uses of sociology will be
discussed and the features of the major sociological perspectives will be
examined.
Student
Learning Objectives:
On
completion of this Unit, the student will be able to:-
i.
use sociological terminology competently both orally and in
writing;
ii.
articulate and discuss the leading sociological
perspectives, notably: Conflict Theory, Functionalism, Interactionism and the
Action Theory;
iii.
analyse the relationship between the individual and society;
iv.
analyse the contribution of studying sociology to Caribbean
society;
v.
evaluate sociology and social change.
UNIT
2 THE FAMILY
Content: This unit will focus on definitions of
the family, classification of various family types and structures. It will also examine the views of the family
taken by the major sociological theorists; historical and socio-economic
factors influencing West Indian family structures; family problems and changes
in the Caribbean family.
Student
Learning Objectives:
On
completion of this Unit, the student will be able to:
i.
define family and examine various kinship patterns;
ii.
examine West Indian family structures;
iii.
discuss historical and socio-economic factors which
influence West Indian family structures;
iv.
assess the major theoretical perspectives with respect to
the family;
v.
note and discuss some family problems: divorce, delinquency,
poverty, abuse;
vi.
assess change and the
UNIT
3 CULTURE
Content: This unit seeks to define culture and
examine the link between culture and heritage.
It also examines the sociological perspectives on culture and the impact
of the media, church and law on one’s culture, both negative and positive.
Student
Learning Objectives:
On
the completion of this Unit, the student will be able to:-
i.
define the terms: culture, acculturation, deculturation and
cultural universals;
ii.
examine the link between culture and heritage;
iii.
assess the theoretical perspectives on culture;
iv.
observe the impact of some influences on one’s culture;
v.
assess changes which are taking place in
UNIT
4 COLONIALISM
Content: The focus of this unit will be on the
definition of colonialism and neo-colonialism, as well as the examination of
the characteristics of traditional colonialism.
It will also examine the features of neo-colonialism and its impact on
Caribbean society.
Student
Learning Objectives:
On
the completion of this Unit, the student will be able to :-
i.
define the terms colonialism and neo-colonialism;
ii.
examine the characteristics of traditional colonialism and
neo-colonialism;
iii.
assess the impact of neo-colonialism on the social
institutions in
UNIT
5 SOCIAL STRATIFICATION AND POVERTY
Content: This unit will focus on definitions of social
stratification and poverty. The major
differences among the sociological perspectives will be examined and an
assessment will be made between social relationships and social class. The consequences of social stratification and
poverty in the Caribbean will also be assessed.
Student
Learning Objectives:
On
completion of this unit, the student will be able to:
i.
define the terms social stratification, social mobility and
poverty;
ii.
explain the relationship between social relationships and
social class;
iii.
discuss the differences between theoretical explanations on
social stratification and poverty;
iv.
outline the consequences of social stratification;
v.
identify the distinguishing characteristics of the major
social classes;
vi.
evaluate the cultural and situational explanations of
poverty;
vii.
describe the efforts to combat poverty in
UNIT
6 EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS
Content: This unit will define and outline the
various categories of education. It will
also seek to assess the role of education as a source of social mobility and to
examine changes which are taking place in the educational system today.
Student
Learning Objectives:
On
completion of this unit, the student will be able to:
i.
define basic terms in relation to education;
ii.
identify various educational systems;
iii.
assess the theoretical perspectives on education;
iv.
examine the role of education in Caribbean society;
v.
examine education as a source of social change.
UNIT
7 RELIGIOUS SYSTEMS
Content: The focus will be on definitions of
religion, sociological theories of religion and various religious
organisations, for example church, sect, denomination and cult.
An assessment of
religion in the Caribbean and the role of religion as a source of change in
Caribbean society will also be undertaken.
Student
Learning Objectives:
On
the completion of this unit, the student will be able to:-
i.
define the term religion;
ii.
assess sociological theories of religion;
iii.
compare and contrast various religious organisations:
church, sect, cult denomination;
iv.
apply the sociological theories to their society;
v.
evaluate religion as a source of social change.
UNIT
8 DEVIANCE
Content: Terms such as deviance, crime and
juvenile delinquency will be defined.
This unit will also examine diverse explanations of deviance in
Caribbean society.
Student
Learning Objectives:
On
the completion of this unit, the student will be able to:
i.
define deviance and describe the major factors promoting the
relativity of deviant behaviour;
ii.
assess the various forms of deviance:- crime, drug abuse,
gangs, mental illness etc.;
iii.
analyse the theoretical perspectives on deviance;
iv.
examine explanations of deviance in the Caribbean;
v.
distinguish approaches to combat deviance.
UNIT
9 GENDER
Content: This unit will focus on definitions of
and stereotying of the term Gender. It
will also seek to analyse the diverse perspectives on gender and assess the
change in traditional gender roles.
Student
Learning Objectives:
On
the completion of this unit, the student will be able to:
i.
distinguish the concepts:
sex, gender and gender identity;
ii.
outline the theoretical perspectives taken by the major
sociological theorists;
iii.
state the major consequences of sex stereotype;
iv.
discuss the inequality of women with respect to work, law,
politics and sport;
v.
discuss the factors promoting change in gender roles.
INSTRUCTIONAL
MATERIALS
REQUIRED
TEXT:
Haralambos,
M. and Holborn, M. (2000). Sociology: Themes and Perspectives.
London. Collins Educational.
GENERAL
READING:
Giddens Anthony : Sociology
Berger,
Peter L. (1963) Invitation to Sociology: A humanistic Perspective. Great Britain. Penguin
O’Donnell, M. (1997).
Introduction to Sociology.
OTHER
MATERIALS: The Internet, Newspaper
articles, handouts, tapes and videos.
SOCIOLOGY LINKS
Sociology: Topics
Social
Stratification
Manifesto
of the Communist Party
The
Principles of Communism
Information
on the various course being offered at the College can be obtained from the Barbados Community College Website.
Another
Core Course Ethics and Citizenship can be found at this
site.
