Sociology stands out as a subject exceptionally relevant to students’ daily experiences, offering immediate and impactful insights into their lives and the world around them. This comprehensive introductory course, expertly developed by Lumen Learning, is designed to equip students with a robust understanding of sociological principles and encourage critical thinking about the complexities of our social world. By fostering the sociological imagination, the course guides students to analyze society through the lens of major sociological paradigms, ensuring a well-rounded and insightful learning journey.
This course, meticulously crafted by Lumen Learning, goes beyond theoretical concepts by integrating practical application and active learning methodologies. Embedded practice questions with instant, targeted feedback are strategically placed throughout the modules to stimulate reflection and solidify understanding. Furthermore, the course enriches the learning experience with carefully selected videos, engaging discussion prompts, and thoughtfully designed assignments, all contributing to a dynamic and interactive educational environment.
The breadth of topics covered is a cornerstone of this Lumen Learning course. Students will delve into essential areas such as sociological research methods, the multifaceted nature of culture, the processes of socialization, the dynamics of societies and groups, and the complexities of deviance and crime. The curriculum further explores critical issues of stratification and inequality, the nuances of race and ethnicity, gender dynamics, sex and sexuality, and the evolving structures of marriage and family. Additionally, the course provides sociological perspectives on religion, education, health and medicine, aging and the elderly, government and politics, the world of work and the economy, population trends and urbanization, and the ever-present forces of social change. This extensive coverage ensures students gain a holistic view of sociology and its diverse applications.
What sets this Introduction to Sociology course from Lumen Learning apart is its commitment to continuous improvement and adaptation. The 2019 edition reflects significant enhancements aimed at optimizing both the learning and teaching experience. The course organization has been refined to create modules of more consistent size, offering instructors greater flexibility in curriculum design and promoting more manageable learning segments for students. Content is meticulously structured around specific, granular learning outcomes, clearly stated at the beginning of each page, providing transparency and focus for learners. Crucially, all practice questions, “Try It” activities, and quiz questions are directly aligned with these learning outcomes, ensuring cohesive and outcome-driven learning.
The content itself has undergone rigorous review for accuracy and currency, ensuring students are exposed to the most up-to-date information and relevant examples. Modern examples, current news events, and cutting-edge research findings are seamlessly integrated throughout the course, making the material relatable and impactful. The inclusion of “Try It” embedded practice questions after each learning outcome provides immediate opportunities for students to assess their comprehension and apply newly acquired knowledge. Furthermore, the “Watch It” embedded videos, featuring resources like CrashCourse Sociology, Khan Academy, and Sociology Live!, serve to explain and reinforce key concepts in an engaging and accessible format. Recognizing the importance of active learning and community, Lumen Learning has also incorporated Discussions and Assignments for every module, fostering deeper engagement and collaborative learning.
Delivered as a Waymaker course by Lumen Learning, this Introduction to Sociology offering is inherently customizable and enhanced with user-friendly personalized learning tools. These tools are specifically designed to boost student engagement and foster academic success. The course includes both formative self-check assessments and summative quiz questions, all readily importable into various Learning Management Systems (LMS), streamlining the assessment process for instructors.
In terms of pacing, the Introduction to Sociology course comprises eighteen modules, designed to be adaptable to different semester lengths and teaching preferences. While a common approach is to cover approximately one module per week in a sixteen-week semester, Lumen Learning acknowledges the varying content density across modules. Instructors are encouraged to leverage the flexibility built into the course structure to combine modules or extend the duration of others based on their specific pedagogical needs and student learning pace. Comprehensive pacing guidance and suggestions are available within the faculty resources, underscoring Lumen Learning’s dedication to supporting educators in delivering an effective and engaging sociology course. By choosing this Lumen Learning Introduction to Sociology course, educators gain access to a high-quality, adaptable, and continuously improved resource designed to empower students on their sociological journey.
