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*Coming Soon: Introduction to Sociology
Coming Summer 2025
The Lumen One Introduction to Sociology is designed to help students grow personally, academically, and professionally regardless of their major or career path. Designed with learning science research, Lumen One is powerful courseware to inspire deeper learning for each and every student.
Students will engage with strategies to:
- gain a comprehensive overview of key sociological topics to encourage students to think critically about the social world
- review the foundations of sociology and the research methods used in the field
- self-assess their current knowledge and skills in order to deepen their understanding of sociological paradigms
- maximize opportunities to apply what they are learning to their personal and professional lives
- cultivate critical and creative thinking skills about historical and contemporary issues in the field of sociology
The course is designed for customization and contains a multitude of topics for the broadest range of course modalities and term length. Lumen One utilizes interactive content and practice with immediate feedback to maximize student understanding and retention. Every learning outcome includes practice questions that will help engage students to test their understanding. The instructor resources package is robust and includes easy-to-use, engaging slide decks and in-class activities, with suggested modifications based on course modality.
Content*
Foundations of Sociology
- What is Sociology?
- The Sociological Imagination
- Sociological Perspectives
Sociological Research
- Sociological Research Practices
- Research Methods
- Evaluating and Applying Sociological Research
Culture
- Elements of Culture
- Cultural Similarities and Differences
- Pop Culture, Subculture, and Cultural Change
- Theoretical Perspectives on Culture and Technology
Socialization
- Theories of Socialization
- Reality as a Social Construct
- Agents of Socialization
Society and Groups
- Fundamentals of Society
- Theoretical Perspectives on Society
- Organizations and Groups
Deviance, Crime, and Social Control
- Understanding Deviance
- Theories of Social Deviance
- Crime and the Law
Social Stratification and Inequality
- Social Stratification
- Global Stratification
- Social Mobility and Poverty
- Theoretical Perspectives on Stratification
Race and Ethnicity
- Race, Ethnicity, Discrimination, and Bias
- Race and Ethnicity in the United States
- Theories of Racial Inequality
Gender, Sex, and Sexuality
- Understanding Gender
- Sexuality
- Theories of Gender and Sex
Relationships, Marriage, and Family
- What is a Family
- Variations in Family Life
- Challenges Families Face
Education and Religion
- Global Education
- Theoretical Perspectives on Education
- Historical and Contemporary Issues in Education
- The Sociology of Religion
- World Religions
Health and Aging
- The Social Construction of Health
- Health Care around the World
- Aging in Society
- Sociology and Aging
Politics and Economics
- Political Power and Authority
- Economic Systems
- Globalization
- Work in the United States
- Theoretical Perspectives on Politics and Economics
Population, Urbanization, and the Environment
- Demography and Population Growth
- Urbanization
- Environment and Society
Social Movements and Social Change
- Collective Behavior
- Social Movements
- Social Change
*Course content subject to change prior to release
Teaching with Lumen Course Materials
- Replace expensive textbooks | Ready-to-adopt open educational resources (OER) include text, videos, simulations, self-checks, and other interactives.
- Choose affordability | Low cost to students.
- Use better content | Continuous, data-driven improvements make OER content more effective at supporting learning.
- Simplify access | Easy access to course materials in your LMS (Blackboard, Canvas, D2L, and Moodle) plus automatic grade return.
- Improve student outcomes | Research shows Lumen course materials can improve academic performance, passing rates, and course completion.
FOR INSTRUCTORS
- Connect with students | Instructor and student tools designed to help strengthen communication.
- Save time | Start with curated, outcome-aligned OER and supplemental instructor resources like quiz banks, assignments, slide decks, etc.
- Customize your course | Freedom to tailor course content to fit your learning outcomes and instructional approach.
- Enjoy awesome support | Faculty-friendly onboarding, training, and support.
FOR STUDENTS
- Learn by doing | Online homework, self-check activities, and other interactive tools strengthen learning.
- Engage from day one | Avoid falling behind with access to course materials from the first day of class.
- Retain materials | Download a digital copy of course content to keep forever.
- Become a better learner | Real-time feedback guides students on where to focus and how to improve.
Are you ready to get started with Lumen Learning digital courseware?
Great! Fill out our Explore a Course form, and our team will contact you promptly.