Introduction to Soicology
Introduction to Soicology
Introduction to Sociology
Common Course ID: SOCI 110
CCC Instructor Open Textbook Adoption Portrait
Abstract: This open textbook is being utilized in an introductory sociology course for undergraduate students by Heather Wylie, M.A., at Shasta College in Northern California. A broad range of students enroll in this course to fulfill their general education requirements. The book was written by a team of sociology professors and incorporates many current events. Increasing access to course materials for students at or below the poverty level was the major motivation for adopting an open textbook. Most students access the free open textbook online through Moodle or from the OpenStax College site.
Reviews: The book has been reviewed by two CCC (CCC1, CCC2) faculty and a UC faculty of the California higher education systems. There is also an Accessibility Evaluation.
About the Textbook
Description: 
Published by OpenStax College, Introduction to Sociology was written by teams of sociology professors and writers and peer-reviewed by college instructors nationwide. This free online text meets standard scope and sequence requirements and incorporates current events, such as the Occupy Wall Street movement. The text is designed for the Introduction to Sociology course at any two to four-year school.
Authors:
- Nathan Keirns, Zane State College
- Eric Strayer, Hartnell College
- Heather Griffiths, Fayetteville State University
- Susan Cody-Rydzewski, Georgia Perimeter College
- Gail Scaramuzzo, Lackawanna College
- Sally Vyain, Ivy Tech Community College
Formats:
Web, PDF, ePub, iBook, Bookshare, and printed versions. Read more about format choices. The free online Introduction to Sociology from OpenStax College is also available in a print version for $29.00 plus shipping and handling.
Supplemental Resources:
OpenStax College has compiled additional resources for students and faculty such as interactive study guides and faculty-only resources such as testbanks, slides, and comp versions of iBook format. Access supplementary resources.
Peer Reviews:
The book has been reviewed by two CCC (CCC1, CCC2) faculty and a UC faculty of the California higher education systems. There is also an Accessibility Evaluation.
Cost Savings:
Students can experience significant savings depending on previous textbook selections. The previous textbook used for this class cost approximately $100 and an average of 200 students take SOC 1 per semester. Thus, the potential annual savings for students could be $40,000.
Accessibility and Diversity:
Not all formats of the textbook have been evaluated yet, but the most recent version is available in a Bookshare format which supports DAISY and Braille-Ready-Fromat (BRF).
License:
Except where otherwise noted, Sociology by OpenStax College is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. This license lets others distribute, remix, tweak, and build upon the work, even commercially, as long as they credit the author for the original creation. This is the most accommodating of licenses offered. Recommended for maximum dissemination and use of licensed materials.
About the Course
SOC 1: Introduction to Sociology
Description:
This course examines the basics of sociology--the study of society. Sociology examines the interactions among social institutions, cultures, groups, and individuals. This course will focus on how unequal power relations organize the social world and shape individual lives, and how individuals negotiate their lives in different social and economic contexts. The course will examine a broad array of topics using a variety of theoretical perspectives and sociological research methods. The primary goal of this course is to recognize how people's experiences are shaped by social forces and reshaped through human action. This course may be offered in a distance learning format.
Advisory: A grade of C or higher in ENGL 190 or English Placement Level 6 or higher, or ESL 138.
GE Credit: 3 units, CSU-DE, Area D0; IGETC, Area 4
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Critique research methods used by sociologists to gather information about the social world.
- Explain social stratification and how social identities contribute to a range of social experiences and perspectives.
- Identify the components of culture and the role of language in the transmission of culture.
- Evaluate the process of socialization in the creation of social beings.
Judge the impact of institutions on social interaction and behavior
Curricular Changes: None
Teaching and Learning Impact:
Collaborate more with other faculty: Yes
Use wider range of teaching materials: Yes
Student learning improved: Test scores improved
Student retention improved: Slight improvement
Any unexpected results: None
I have shared my knowledge and experience of OER through offering a campus-wide FLEX day workshop. I rely less on the textbook now that it is free and bring other open, free resources into my classes.
Sample Assignment and Syllabus:
SOC 1 Syllabus Fall 2014
Syllabus for Sociology 1 course offered fall 2014.
Weekly Reflection: The Sociological Imagination
A weekly reflection on the sociological imagination and recent home foreclosures as covered in the textbook.
Textbook Adoption
OER Adoption Process
Given the high level of students living at or below the poverty line and first generation college students, I felt it was very important to increase student access to course materials. I found OpenStax through personal research into OER materials that met the needs of my courses.
I did not initially offer hard copies for sale in the campus bookstore. This was a problem for EOPS (Extended Opportunity Programs and Services) students and students who had qualified for a book loan through the college. They wanted a hard copy, as they can only purchase books in the campus bookstore. Now I have the bookstore order hard copies also. They are available for sale or rental.
Student Access:
Students can access the textbook directly from the OpenStax College site or the Moodle course management system. They can purchase a print copy from the bookstore or OpenStax College. It is important that your OER material is available in a broad array of formats.
Student Feedback or Participation:
Some sample comments from the feedback below include:
"One of the biggest worries I have throughout the semester, is ensuring my transportation expense. I was quite grateful that the book was available for free. This allowed me to worry less about the other parts of my life that interfere with my goal. Thank you very much for the book link."
"The reason why I like the OpenStax sociology book is because it is there on my laptop, whether I have wifi or not. Even better, I can highlight and underline! This makes studying a lot easier."
“I love the free book. It seems to present adequate and truthful information, and provides real life examples as with most other textbooks. I hope to see more teachers doing this in the future. it would be great if we could convince universities to use these books!”
Student Feedback on the Open Textbook
Comments from students on how cost and accessibility of the textbook have improved their ability to be successful students.
I teach a number of sociology courses including Sociology 1: Introduction to Sociology, Sociology 25: Sociology of Minorities and Sociology 30: Sociology of Gender. My academic interests include the sociology of family, medicine, gender and professions. My primary research interests include childbirth and midwifery.
I am also the coordinator of the Shasta College Center for Community Engagement. The Center is focused on connecting students with their communities to support student success. My work at the center is aligned with my teaching philosophy to empower students through critical thinking and civic and community engagement to achieve their goals.