Sociology and a General Understanding of Social Life

Beginning at the introductory level, the authors believe students ought to experience a common framework for approaching a general understanding of social life. At a minimum, this requires going back to the discipline's history--back to the journals and books that provide the foundational context for the discipline's framework and, therefore, its core. In this article, the authors discuss the outcome of their independent studies that the discipline has not adequately presented a common framework that resembles a core, particularly at the introductory level. They offer three suggestions for future discussions about sociology's core as taught to introductory students. First, they suggest embedding this discussion of the core into discussions about assessment in the major. Second, more empirical studies should occur that examine the core of their subfields. Third, it would be useful to engage their students in this discussion. They conclude that it is now necessary for sociologists to grapple effectively with the core material that structures the discipline's existence, thereby integrating this framework throughout a general understanding of social life.