Common Planner
K–12 Standards

Sociology

Other Alabama Social Studies sets

Sociology OverviewSS24.S.SO

  • 1

    Describe the development of sociology as a social science field of study.*SS24.S.1

    1. a

      Explain the contributions of important figures in the field of sociology, including Émile Durkheim, George Herbert Mead, Karl Marx, Max Weber, and W.E.B. Du Bois.*SS24.S.1a

    2. b

      Identify and explain tenets of sociology, including functional integration, power, social action, social structure, and culture.SS24.S.1b

  • 2

    Explain methods and tools of research used by sociologists.*SS24.S.2

    1. a

      Differentiate between qualitative and quantitative research methods, giving examples of each.*SS24.S.2a

    2. b

      Explain the usefulness of discerning and sharing insights into human behavior of individuals and groups.*SS24.S.2b

  • 3

    Compare and contrast the three major sociological theories: functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interaction.*SS24.S.3

    1. a

      Apply the major sociological theories to a situation and evaluate the differences in interpretations.SS24.S.3a

Self and SocializationSS24.S.SS

  • 4

    Explain how values and norms influence individual behavior.*SS24.S.4

    1. a

      Describe ways in which cultures differ, change, and resist change, including countercultures, subcultures, and ethnocentric beliefs.SS24.S.4a

    2. b

      Illustrate and explain key concepts and goals of socialization, including self-concept, looking-glass self, significant others, and role-taking.SS24.S.4b

    3. c

      Describe the major agents of socialization and evaluate the role that each one plays.*SS24.S.4c

  • 5

    Compare and contrast the phases of development in the human life cycle, including birth, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, parenthood, middle age, and late adulthood.*SS24.S.5

    1. a

      Explain the value of utilizing birth cohorts as a research device.SS24.S.5a

    2. b

      Differentiate among primary, secondary, and adult socialization and identify the key influences of socialization for each stage.SS24.S.5b

    3. c

      Investigate and explain the impact of psychological theories that influence sociology, including Erikson’s Psychosocial Development, Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development, Piaget’s Stages of Cognitive Development, and Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory.SS24.S.5c

  • 6

    Identify and describe human behaviors that deviate from social norms.*SS24.S.6

    1. a

      Analyze deviance from each of the three sociological perspectives (interactionist, functional, and conflict).SS24.S.6a

    2. b

      Trace how society has reacted to deviant behaviors throughout history and explain the theoretical principles of punishment, including retributive, rehabilitative, and deterrent.*SS24.S.6b

Groups and SocializationSS24.S.GS

  • 7

    Analyze how different types of social groups can influence individual and group behavior.*SS24.S.7

    1. a

      Compare and contrast types of groups and the reasons for group formation.*SS24.S.7a

    2. b

      Trace the development of various types of social groups from hunter-gatherer societies to the present day and explain how the importance of primary and secondary groups has changed over time.SS24.S.7b

  • 8

    Explain the purpose of social systems and institutions, including governments, houses of worship, schools, and voluntary associations.SS24.S.8

    1. a

      Compare how authority is perceived in legitimate power and coercive power leadership styles.*SS24.S.8a

    2. b

      Differentiate among Weber’s three types of authority (charismatic, rational-legal, and traditional) in respect to source of power and leadership style.*SS24.S.8b

  • 9

    Describe the structure and function of family units, including traditional, extended, nuclear, single-parent, and blended families, and describe the roles of parent, child, and spouse within each type.SS24.S.9

    1. a

      Compare and contrast biological family with found or chosen family and develop an argument regarding why a person may select one over the other.SS24.S.9a

Social Issues and Social ChangeSS24.S.SISC

  • 10

    Explain the relationship between social stratification and social class, including status ascription versus achievement, intergenerational social mobility, and structural occupational change.*SS24.S.10

    1. a

      Identify common patterns of social stratification in American society.SS24.S.10a

    2. b

      Analyze the impact of social stratification on groups and individuals.*SS24.S.10b

  • 11

    Explain why social movements form, and identify the factors that produce large-scale social change as a result of these movements.*SS24.S.11

    1. a

      Compare and contrast the major theories of collective behavior, including contagion theory, convergence theory, and emergent norm theory.*SS24.S.11a

    2. b

      Describe how social movements, including the Civil Rights Movement, have created change throughout the history of the United States.SS24.S.11b

    3. c

      Explain the role of social institutions in fostering change and reinforcing stratification.*SS24.S.11c

Frequently asked questions

What grade levels do these standards cover?
Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, and Grade 12
Where can I read the official document?
Social Studies (2024)

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