The Free University Project
Introduction to Sociology
Current update: Sept. 2012

The material covered in the CLEP exam in sociology (which is reflected in the lecture notes and study guide which follow) is generally considered equivalent to a one semester lower division college course.

Exam type:
CLEP: 100 multiple choice questions in 90 minutes
Typical credits: 3 units

The CLEP Exam

NOTE: There is no on-line course that appears to relate directly to the CLEP Exam. I have drawn from several courses and some guest lectures that seem to reflect the content required on the CLEP. Featured faculty and their home pages can be found at the end of this page.
(I didn't promise you a rose garden. See disclaimer.)

The topics in bold face are those The College Board indicates will be found on the exams. Some of the topics require only a few paragraphs to understand; others fill chapters in a text book.

The arrangement of the topics presented is slightly different from that indicated by The College Board, but more closely resemble the sequence found in text books -- so the percentages given after the main topic headings are only approximate. Always check with The College Board for the latest information. Most libraries have a copy of the CLEP Official Study Guide published by The College Board which has a shorter sample quiz.

Getting Started

Here is one way that you can begin. (If you haven't read a general step-by-step guide, this might be a good time. See also How to Budget Your Time)

Here is an outline of a typical textbook Society: The Basics 6th Edition (Macionis)

1. Sociology: Perspective, Theory, and Method.
2. Culture.
3. Socialization: From Infancy to Old Age.
4. Social Interaction in Everyday Life.
5. Groups and Organizations.
6. Deviance.
7. Sexuality.
8. Social Stratification.
9. Global Stratification.
10. Gender Stratification.
11. Race and Ethnicity.
12. Economy and Politics.
13. Family and Religion.
14. Education and Medicine.
15. Population, Urbanization, and Environment.
16. Social Change: Modern and Postmodern Societies.

[Note: Any specific text probably includes some different topics than those covered by the CLEP]

You should also explore the companion sites (in addition to Macionis - above) of several other textbooks related to Sociology. These generally include brief chapter outlines, learning objectives, and an extensive array of interactive quizzes for each chapter. You will want to take advantage of these quizzes as you complete each unit. (Make notes in your journal for each quiz you take, and the percentage of right answers, as yet another guide to help you determine your strengths and weaknesses.)

Sociology for the Twenty-First Century (Tim Curry, Robert Jiobu and Kent Schwirian)

Essentials of Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach, 4/e (Henslin)

Using the Free University Project Study Guide

A) Read the Introductory Material suggested in the Study Guide.

B) Read the material in the first two or three topics in the Study Guide. In order to stay focused, only follow those links within the lectures and outlines that seem to be directly related to the subject matter at hand. Take your own notes. If you print out the material, highlight key definitions and concepts for review. Add your own marginal notes.

C) Read corresponding material in a textbook of your choice.

D) Read the next two or three topics as you did in B)

E) Take the on-line quizzes.

Remember to keep your journal up to date.

For those of you who have little background in Psychology and Sociology and have Broadband Access, you might want to review the 5 part Annenberg/CPB series Seasons of Life. While the prime focus is life-span development, this series may help you by providing the big picture.

Study Guide

Introduction

Read over one of the topics under The Times of Our Lives : Kearl as a gentle introduction to sociological inquiry.

And here some interactive examples of case studies Sociology by the Numbers (Henslin)

Major glossary with excellent links. Courtesy the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. The first time you come across a new sociological term, and begin to wonder what it means, look it up in this useful compilation. (Link provided by one of our students. Thanks Rachel.)

Included are links to an audio series -- An Introductory Sociology Lecture Series - - produced for the Trent University Fall Term 1999.

The lecture series (30 min each) was created by Prof. Thomas R. Klassen and the audio portion was recorded, produced, and edited at Trent Radio during the Spring of 1999, by John Muir, as an academic aid for students enrolled in Sociology at Trent University (Canada)and for general interest.

Preparing for the exam

Basic divisions of the CLEP exam and related links (Percentages following major headings are those indicated by the College Board.)

A: The sociological perpective - 15%

The Sociological Perspective : Keel

Introduction to Sociology (Sparknotes)
  • Definition of Sociology
  • Introduction to Sociology
  • The Birth of Sociology
  • Types of Sociology
  • The Other Social Sciences
  • What Sociologists Do

    01 What is Sociology? (audio - Klassen)

    02 The Birth of Sociology. (audio - Klassen)

    History of sociology
    A Sociology Timeline from 1600 : Stephan
    Other historical information is found under Theory.

    Sociology Major Figures (Sparknotes)
  • Major Figures in Sociology

    Methods and measurement

    Sociological Research Methods : Keel

    03 Using Paradigms. (audio - Klassen)

    04 Conducting Research (audio - Klassen)

    Sociological theory
    Glossary : Development of Sociological Theory: Hamlin

    • B. Social processes -- 20%
    Groups and organizations
    Social Groups and Organizations (Sparknotes)
  • Introduction
  • Social Groups and Organizations
  • Groups, Aggregates, and Categories
  • Group Classifications
  • Social Integration
  • Groups Within Society
  • Quick Review
  • Review Questions
  • Social Groups and Organizations Quiz

    11 Organizations: "From Cradle to Grave ..." (audio - Klassen)

    Deviance and social control
    Deviance : Keel
    The following link is overkill for this exam as it covers an entire course on the Sociology of Deviant Behavior : Keel but you might find it useful to review the main points.

    Deviance (Sparknotes)
  • Introduction
  • Deviance
  • What Is Deviance?
  • Symbolic Interactionist Perspective
  • Structural Functional Theory
  • Conflict Perspective
  • Crime
  • Quick Review
  • Review Questions
  • Deviance Quiz

    10 Crime. (audio - Klassen)

    The following are also more extensive than this exam requires, but worth reviewing [[ Home Page : Jipson, and click on Deviance and Social Control
    also
    Criminology : Jipson. ]] The Jipson website may still be undergoing revision.

    Collective behavior and social movements
    Groups and Organizations : Keel

    Socialization
    Socialization : Keel

    Socialization (Sparknotes)
  • Introduction
  • Socialization
  • Primary Socialization
  • Resocialization
  • Anticipatory Socialization
  • Gender Socialization
  • Quick Review
  • Review Questions
  • Socialization Quiz

    09 Gender. (audio - Klassen)

    Culture
    Culture : Keel

    Society and Culture (Sparknotes)
  • Introduction
  • Society and Culture
  • What Is a Society?
  • Types of Societies
  • Norms
  • Status and Roles
  • Culture
  • Hierarchy of Cultures
  • The Interaction of Cultures
  • Quick Review
  • Review Questions
  • Society and Culture Quiz

    Social Change
    Social Change : Keel

    • C: Social Stratification (Process and Structure) -- 30%
    Economic Stratification : Keel
    Age Stratification : Keel

    Social Stratification and Inequality (Sparknotes)
  • Introduction
  • Social Stratification and Inequality
  • Origins of Social Stratification
  • Historical Stratification Systems
  • Modern Stratification Systems
  • Theories of Stratification
  • The Stratification System of the United States
  • Social Classes in the United States
  • Poverty in America
  • Global Stratification
  • Quick Review
  • Review Questions
  • Social Stratification and Inequality Quiz

    Social mobility
    Social Class
    Identity and Reality (Sparknotes)
  • Introduction
  • Identity and Reality
  • Social Construction of Reality
  • Dramaturgy
  • Social Status
  • Quick Review
  • Review Questions
  • Identity and Reality Quiz

    05 Self and Society. (audio - Klassen)

    08 Class. (audio - Klassen)

    Power and Social Inequality
    Professions and occupations

    Race and ethnic relations
    Racial and Ethnic Equality : Keel
    Race & Ethnicity : Kearl
    Gender roles
    Gender Inequality : Keel
    07 Immigration and Ethnicity. (audio - Klassen)

    • [Take a break] See Nietzsche at the Mall

    D. Institutions -- 20%
    Collective Behavior and the Social Psychology of Social Institutions : Kearl

    Social Groups and Organizations (Sparknotes)
  • Introduction
  • Social Groups and Organizations
  • Groups, Aggregates, and Categories
  • Group Classifications
  • Social Integration
  • Groups Within Society
  • Quick Review
  • Review Questions
  • Social Groups and Organizations Quiz
    Family
    The Family : Keel
    Marriage and Family Processes : Kearl

    06 The Family. (audio - Klassen)

    Economic
    Political Economy : Keel
    [[Formal Organizations : Jipson]] The Jipson website may be undergoing revision.

    Political
    Educational

    Education : Keel

    Religious
    Religion : Keel

    Collective Behavior : Kearl

    • E: Social patterns -- 15%
    Community
    Community : Keel

    Demography
    Demography : Kearl and follow the link to Paul Ehrlich.

    Human ecology
    Article The concept of community in human ecology (1970) : Stephan

    Rural and urban patterns
    RESOURCES
    Sociology Glossary (Sparknotes)

    Something else to think about -- can there be sociological laws? See -- Stephan Home Page, click on The Divison of Territory in Society, then click on chapter 17.

    Links to faculty home pages
    NOTE: Please don't bug the professors. They have been generous enough just by taking the time and effort to put their material on the Web. And please don't e-mail responses to their tests. Such responses are limited to students actually enrolled in the class.

    Michael C. Kearl Ph.D., Trinity University
    Robert Keel M.A., University of Misouri St. Louis
    Ed Stephan Ph.D. Western Washington University

    Internet Resources You can go in giant circles following all the sociology links. For a useful, and manageable, annotated list see this Australian site. Another good series of links can be found at A Sociological Tour Through Cyberspace : Kearl

    Good Luck!

    and let us know how you are doing.

    Free University Project