STANDARD COMPETENCIES:

 

 I.      List the basic characteristics of the family.  Discuss the importance of marriage and kinship to the family.

 II.     Describe the functions the family performs for its members and for society.

 III.    Describe some cross-cultural variations in families.

 IV.     Indicate the changes that have occurred in family patterns with increasing industrialization and urbanization.

 V.      Outline the functions and dysfunctions of the nuclear family form.

 VI.     Describe the impact of divorce upon the two individuals directly involved, other family members, the community, and society.

 VII.    Describe how education has changed with the rise of industrialism in the United States.

 VIII.   Present the functionalist view of the purposes of education.

 IX.     Present a conflict view of education and the influence of schooling on social mobility.

 X       Explain how the self-fulfilling prophecy operates in schools.

 XI.     Discuss the relationship between class, race, and educational achievement; explain which factors affect students¿ chances of educational success.

 XII.    State the sociological definition of religion.

 XIII.   List topics of interest to a sociologist studying religion as social behavior.

 XIV.    Compare and contrast the elements of religion with those of functionally equivalent belief systems.

 XV.     Compare the views of Marx, Durkhem, and Weber on the relationship between religion and social change.

 XVI.    Explain Weber's "Protestant ethic" thesis and the current evidence for it.

 XVII.   Compare the religiosity of the American people with that of other nations and discuss the social consequences of these differences.

 XVIII.  Identify the factors that have led to a fundamentalist revival in the United States.

 XIX.    Discuss the economic order and the importance of economic activity.

 XX      Explain the idea of division of labor and the consequences of surplus wealth.

 XXI.    Compare Durkheim's concepts of mechanical and organic solidarity in terms of social cohesion.

 XXII.   Define "anomie" and describe its sources and consequences.

 XXIII.  Contrast occupations and professions and explain the trend toward professionalization.

 XXIV.   Present Marx`s analysis of alienation and work.

 XXV.    Describe the extent of economic control exerted by large corporations, noting its social consequences.

 XXVI.   Explain the increase in multinational corporations and its global consequences.

 XXVII.  Outline the social consequences of unemployment for the individual and for society.

 XXVIII. Define the sociological concepts of the political order and the state.

 XXIX.   Explain Weber`s definitions of power, legitimacy, and coercion.

 XXX     Characterize the state in modern industrial societies.

 XXXI.   Contrast the three basic forms of government.

 XXXII.  Discuss current political trends in the U.S.

 XXXIII. Describe the political behavior of interest groups.

 XXXIV.  Present evidence of ways in which interest groups support or interfere with democratic government.

 XXXV.   Summarize Mill`s view of the concentration of power in the United States.

 XXXVI.  Outline Reisman`s perspective on the levels of power in the United States.

 TOPICAL OUTLINE:

 

 I.      The Family

         A.      The Family and Society

         B.      Family Patterns

         C.      Characteristics of the Family

         D.      Future of the Family

 II.     Education

         A.      Functions of Education

         B.      American Educational System

         C.      Theoretical Perspectives

         D.      Modern Issues in Education

 III.    Religion

         A.      The Sociological Approach to Religion

         B.      Categories of Religion and Religious Organizations

         C.      Religion in the United States

 IV.     Economic Systems

         A.      Comparative Economic Systems

         B.      Theories of Economic Systems

         C.      Social Effects of Corporate Capitalism

 V.      Political Systems

         A.      Theories of Power

         B.      The American Political Process

         C.      Changes in the Politics

 VI.     Science and Technology

         A.      The Emergence of Science

         B.      Science and Society

         C.      Benefits and Costs

 VII.    Population and Ecology

         A.      Population Trends

         B.      Overpopulation

         C.      Ecology

         D.      Health Issues

 VIII.   Cities in Transition

         A.      Growth and Expansion of Cities

         B.      Process of Urban Expansion

         C.      Trends and Problems

         D.      The Future of American Cities

 IX.     Collective Behavior

         A.      Theories of Collective Behavior

         B.      Types of Collective Behavior

         C.      Social Movements

         D.      Public Opinion

 X       Socio-cultural Change

         A.      Theories of Social Change

         B.      Technology and Social Change

         C.      Modernization ¿ Characteristics and Causes

         D.      Future Trends