GEND 120 Self & Society: Intro to Sociology

Sociology focuses on the systematic understanding of the way self-identity, social interaction, social organization, social institutions and social change occur in west societies like the United States. Major themes in sociological thinking include the interplay between and society, how society is both stable and changing, the causes and consequences of social inequality, and the social construction of human life. Understanding sociology helps discover and explain social patterns and see how patterns change over time and in different settings, in interaction with different people and groups. Through analyzing, discussing and writing about the social basis of everyday life, sociology also develops critical thinking, by revealing the social structure and processes that shape diverse forms of human life.