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Introduction to Sociology
Common Course ID: SOCI 110
CSU Instructor Open Textbook Adoption Portrait
Abstract: This open textbook is being utilized in a first-year seminar course for undergraduate freshmen by George Station, M.S., at Cal State Monterey Bay. The open textbook provides section reviews with rich questions, discussions that help students apply their knowledge, and features that draw learners into the discipline in meaningful ways. The main motivation to adopt an open textbook was to save money for students. Most students access the open textbook online.
Reviews: The book has been reviewed by two CCC faculty members (CCC1, CCC2) and one UC faculty member from within the California higher education systems.
Description:
Introduction to Sociology 2e adheres to the scope and sequence of a typical, one-semester introductory sociology course. It offers comprehensive coverage of core concepts, foundational scholars, and emerging theories. The textbook presents section reviews with rich questions, discussions that help students apply their knowledge, and features that draw learners into the discipline in meaningful ways. This online, fully editable and customizable title includes sociology theory and research; real-world applications; simplify and debate features; and learning objectives for each chapter.
Senior Contributing Authors:
Formats:
The textbook is available for free online or as a PDF. You can also purchase the book from iTunes for $4.99 or as a print copy for $29 from Amazon.
Supplemental resources:
OpenStax offers a variety of supplemental resources for both instructors and students, including Getting Started Guides, Sample Syllabus Language, Test Bank, PowerPoint Slides, Sociology Live and ACESS.
Peer reviews:
This book has been reviewed by two CCC faculty members (CCC1, CCC2) and one UC faculty member from within the California higher education systems.
Cost savings:
I previously used Introduction to Sociology by George Ritzer, which retails for $80 at Amazon. Since I teach about 135 students per year, the potential savings for students is $10,800.
Accessibility and diversity statement:
The publishers have not provided any accessibility or diversity information. However, the first edition of the book is available at Bookshare which supports DAISY and Braille-Ready-Format (BRF). The text is adaptable for people with visual and/or auditory disabilities while the text is functional with assistive technology.
FYS 156: Technology & Society
Description: This FYS course will focus on the nature and impact of technology on society, paying particular attention to computing while using previous technological advances as a basis for comparison. We will consider the social, political, historic, economic and philosophic contexts that both shaped and have been shaped by technological change. Students will explore the emerging field of technology and society studies and will learn techniques borrowed from sociology, psychology, and philosophy.
Prerequisites: None
GE credit: 4 units
Learning outcomes: Please provide a list of learning objectives for the course
List student learning outcomes for the course. Share demographics for students who take the class e.g. common majors, previous preparation, etc.
Curricular changes:
Did you have to make any curricular changes when using the OER textbook.
Explain any curricular changes made to the course as a result of the open textbook adoption.
Teaching and learning impacts:
Please answer the following questions:
Collaborate more with other faculty : Yes/No
Use wider range of teaching materials: Yes/No
Student learning improved : Yes/No/Unsure
Student retention improved : Yes/No/Unsure
Any unexpected results: Yes/No
If you answer Yes to any of the above, or even Unsure, please provide a rationale.
Sample assignment and syllabus:
License:
Introduction to Sociology is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. This means you are free to copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format and remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially. You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
OER Adoption Process
Please describe your motivation for looking for an OER textbook.
How did you decide on this one?
Did you have to include any other materials?
Describe the main motivation for adopting the open textbook e.g. saving students money, better control over instructional materials, ability to customize for students needs, etc.
Explain any external materials that you used to supplement the textbook.
Student access:
How do most students access the book for your class? Do they bring it to class?
Describe the different ways that students can access the textbook including print if available.
Student feedback or participation:
Do you have any student comments about using the book?
Do you have any surveys? Did they like the fact that it was free?
Share any feedback from students regarding usage of the open textbook. If students participate in open textbook development or formal review, describe here.
Link or upload to student survey results or other student outcome reports here.
I am a First Year Semester lecturer at the California State University Monterey Bay. I teach [list all courses that you regularly teach]. Do you teach any other courses?
Please provide a statement of your teaching philosophy.
Do you have any research interests? Anything else you want to add?
Describe your teaching philosophy and any research interests related to your discipline or teaching.