1. Introduction to Sociology
Learning Goals:
Definition and Understanding of Sociology as a Discipline
Major Topics of study in this course related to Sociology
Identifying major key terms and concepts within Sociology

2. Write down the following terms…
Sociology
Social Change
Values
Roles
Status
Hierarchy
Norms
Rules
Deviance
Briefly write down what you think they mean

3. What is Sociology? The study of human social life
Looks at the development and structure of human society and how it works
Studies social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior within society

4. Social Change
Society does not remain unchanged over time – the study of sociology functions because of significant changes in society
What do you think are some changes throughout history that would be of great importance to sociologists?

5. What do Sociologists Study? (key concepts in sociology)
The structure of groups, organizations, and societies, and how people interact within these contexts.
Values –
Rules set out for a particular role that we are all expected to follow
A particular set of values are assigned to each role.

6. Roles and Status –
We all play certain roles in our society - Social Scientists refer to this as status
Status is the term used to describe our position within an institution
On any given day we can play many different roles in society – e.g.. A parent can drive their kids to school and then go to work and teach their students

7. Hierarchy –
Ranking system used in any particular environment based on authority or power
Each position or role requires a certain type of expertise which is valued by society
In order to distinguish between these roles people are expected to dress and act in a certain way

8. Norms –
These are rules set out for a particular role that are considered standard behaviour
(e.g. Catholic Priests are expected to be celibate)
Rules –
These are developed by cultures based on their system of values
Differ among cultures
(e.g. Adultery is illegal and punishable by law in many Middle Eastern countries)

9. Deviance –
Any behaviour that is different from the societal norm.
It is deviant because we, as a society, do not accept it
(e.g. Criminal acts, tattoos, others???)

10. Topics of Study in the Sociology Unit
Theories of Sociology
Prejudice and Discrimination
Agents of Socialization
Cults
Social Experiments
Social Class
Social Institutions
Poverty
Gender
Health
Social Change
Crime and Deviance
Group Behaviour
Conformity and Obedience

11. Task
Now that you understand the definition for these key terms within Sociology, it is your task to use each of them in a sentence – you must relate your sentence to sociology and it must be a sentence that helps you remember and understand the term.
i.e. – Deviant behaviour is not tolerated in society and therefore people who commit crimes will be dealt with through the justice system.