Course Content and Outcomes Guides (CCOG)

CCOG for SOC 205 archive revision 202504

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Effective Term:
Fall 2025

Course Number:
SOC 205
Course Title:
Social Change and Institutions (SOC 205=SOC 205Z)
Credit Hours:
4
Lecture Hours:
40
Lecture/Lab Hours:
0
Lab Hours:
0

Course Description

Sociological analysis of social institutions, such as family, education, health care, the economy, and the state. Includes an examination of connections among institutions and their impact on patterns of inequality and individual outcomes. Examines the forces and dynamics behind social change, such as social movements, culture, economic forces, technologies, and the environment. SOC 205 and SOC 205Z are equivalent. Audit available.

Intended Outcomes for the course

Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

  1. Discuss the history of key social institutions.
  2. Analyze major social institutions and change using sociological concepts, theory, and research.
  3. Describe how the structure of institutions shapes patterns of social inequality.
  4. Discuss diversity of experiences that individuals have with institutions based on group membership, such as race and ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and social class.
  5. Describe how and why societies change over time.

Social Inquiry and Analysis

Students completing an associate degree at Portland Community College will be able to apply methods of inquiry and analysis to examine social contexts and the diversity of human thought and experience.

General education philosophy statement

Sociology offers a unique perspective that helps us understand how our lives are connected to each other and the larger society. Sociologists use scientific methods to study how societies are organized, why they change, and the different ways that social forces impact people’s lives. The sociological perspective allows us to understand micro and macro dynamics, through the power of social contexts, with varying structures, cultures, and groups shaping our opportunities, attitudes, behaviors, and identities and the broader social world.

Aspirational Goals

We hope that the careful study of society will empower our students to develop the insights, empathy, and skills to analyze and address social issues through applied learning and active engagement in society, with respect for diversity, critical thinking, and collaboration.

Outcome Assessment Strategies

In addition to following guidelines for assessing General Education outcomes, instructors will assess student learning of course-level outcomes by using various assessment tools, per instructor discretion, such as:

  • Class participation in discussions and/or in small groups (on-line or on campus) 
  • Short analytical homework assignments on specific concepts or issues
  • Response papers or journals reflecting on life experiences or social events
  • Research papers, using analyses of academic sources (i.e., signature assignments)
  • Quizzes and/or exams
  • Oral histories and interviews
  • Oral or video presentations
  • Community-based learning projects, involving learning objectives, service to community, and reflection
  • Group research and presentation projects
  • Additional assignments, as deemed appropriate for assessment of learning objectives

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

  • Causes and consequences of micro and macro changes, including issues such as globalization, stratification, technology, cultural change, demographics, the environment, and social movements. 
  • Sociological theories and perspectives applied to the study of social institutions and social change.
  • Interactions and relationships between cultural and structural changes. 
  • Comparisons of historical, cross-cultural, and current trends in social change across various social institutions and systems.
  • The role of collective behavior and social movements in social change.
  • Impacts of social changes on various social groups such as social class, race/ethnicity, gender, age, sexuality, ability, and/or regions.

Approved Texts:  Per instructor discretion.