- Course Type CLEP
- Subject History and Social Sciences
- Level Introductory
- Length 5 Modules
- Video Length 6h 20m
- Reading Pages 300
- Institution Modern States
ABOUT THIS COURSE
Introductory Sociology reviews the material typically taught in a one-semester college-level sociology course. The course introduces the sociological perspective and emphasizes both key facts and concepts and the major theoretical approaches used by sociologists. Topics include social institutions, social patterns, social processes, social stratification, and social perspective.
This is a free, self-paced Modern States course with no prerequisites. It is aligned to the CLEP® Introductory Sociology exam and is designed to prepare you to succeed on the test and earn college credit at no cost.
Modern States originally developed this course in collaboration with Emily Restivo, Ph.D. of New York Institute of Technology. Nicholas Dempsey Ph.D. of Eckerd College supported course enhancements published in 2025.
Course Overview
Introductory Sociology Course Overview - Modern States
| Module | Topic | Video Length | Total pages of required reading |
| Module 1: Sociological Perspective 00:27:30 total video length 28 total reading pages |
1: Sociological Perspectives | 0:00:51 | – |
| 1.1: Background | 0:04:02 | 6 | |
| 1.2.1: What is Theory? | 0:00:43 | 6 | |
| 1.2.2: Functionalist Perspective | 0:03:38 | – | |
| 1.2.3: Conflict Perspective | 0:02:43 | – | |
| 1.2.4: Symbolic Interactionist Perspective | 0:07:25 | – | |
| 1.3: Methods | 0:08:08 | 16 | |
| 1: Summary | – | – | |
| Module 2: Social Processes 01:52:34 total video length 71 total reading pages |
2: Social Processes | 0:00:38 | – |
| 2.1: Culture | 0:09:19 | 16 | |
| 2.1.1: Nonmaterial Culture | 0:10:17 | – | |
| 2.1.2: Material Culture | 0:06:03 | – | |
| 2.2: Socialization | 0:12:30 | 15 | |
| 2.2.1: Theories and Socialization | 0:04:49 | – | |
| 2.2.2: Life Course and Socialization | 0:09:07 | – | |
| 2.3: Social Interaction | 0:01:16 | 13 | |
| 2.3.1: Macro Level | 0:09:36 | – | |
| 2.3.2: Micro Level | 0:09:14 | – | |
| 2.4: Groups and Organizations | 0:08:20 | 14 | |
| 2.4.1: Bureaucracies | 0:02:51 | – | |
| 2.4.2: Group Dynamics | 0:06:00 | – | |
| 2.5: Deviance and Social Control | 0:04:48 | 13 | |
| 2.5.1: Theories of Deviance and Social Control | 0:08:51 | – | |
| 2.5.2: Crime in the U.S. | 0:08:37 | – | |
| 2: Summary | – | – | |
| Module 3: Social Institutions 01:31:28 total video length 84 total reading pages |
3: Social Institutions | 0:00:48 | – |
| 3.1: Politics | 0:17:00 | 13 | |
| 3.2: Economics | 0:08:03 | 19 | |
| 3.3: Education | 0:19:36 | 22 | |
| 3.4: Religion | 0:08:31 | 13 | |
| 3.5: Marriage and Family | 0:08:59 | 17 | |
| 3.5.1: Marriage, Family and Theories | 0:08:39 | – | |
| 3.5.2: Family Life Cycle and Trends | 0:19:52 | – | |
| 3: Summary | – | – | |
| Module 4: Social Stratification 01:39:43 total video length 73 total reading pages |
4: Social Stratification | 0:00:50 | – |
| 4.1: Stratification Theories | 0:08:22 | 12 | |
| 4.1.1: Global Stratification | 0:07:28 | – | |
| 4.2: Social Class | 0:11:08 | 12 | |
| 4.2.1: Consequences of Social Class | 0:10:49 | – | |
| 4.2.2: Poverty | 0:14:56 | – | |
| 4.3: Gender | 0:16:54 | 15 | |
| 4.4: Aging | 0:09:30 | 23 | |
| 4.5: Race and Ethnicity | 0:06:55 | 11 | |
| 4.5.1: Theories of Prejudice | 0:06:53 | – | |
| 4.5.2: Consequences | 0:05:58 | – | |
| 4: Summary | – | – | |
| Module 5: Social Patterns 00:49:36 total video length 44 total reading pages |
5: Social Patterns | 0:00:30 | – |
| 5.1: Population | 0:11:14 | 8 | |
| 5.1.1: Immigration | 0:05:47 | 9 | |
| 5.2: Urbanization | 0:10:40 | 11 | |
| 5.3: Social Change | 0:06:06 | 16 | |
| 5.3.1: Theories of Social Change | 0:06:58 | – | |
| 5.3.2: Social Movement Organization | 0:05:34 | – | |
| 5.3.3: Environmental Problems | 0:02:47 | – | |
| 5: Summary | – | – | |
| Course Conclusion | – | – |
