VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY HCMC

INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
School of Business

COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Name: Introduction to Sociology
Course Code: BA197IU

1. General information

Course Introduction to Sociology is designed to introduce the student to the broad and
designation exciting field of the sociology as an academic discipline. The course will focus on
the field of sociology and its key terminologies, theories, and themes as they
relate to the study of management and business as well as modern society. The
knowledge provided by this course will facilitate the development of awareness
of the language and methodology associated with academic study. This course
will utilize an interdisciplinary approach to study and understand human behavior
and various contemporary social issues.
Semester(s) in 1, 2, 3
which the
course is taught
Person Dr. Tôn Nữ Ngọc Hân
responsible for Dr. Phạm Tấn Nhật
the course
Language English
Relation to Elective
curriculum
Teaching Lecture, lesson, presentation, discussion
methods
Workload (incl. (Estimated) Total workload: 135
contact hours, Contact hours (please specify whether lecture, exercise, laboratory session, etc.):
self-study 45
hours)
Private study including examination preparation, specified in hours 1: 90
Credit points 3

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When calculating contact time, each contact hour is counted as a full hour because the organisation of the
schedule, moving from room to room, and individual questions to lecturers after the class, all mean that about 60
minutes should be counted.

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Required and None
recommended
prerequisites for
joining the
course
Course This introductory course provides students with an understanding of sociology in
objectives general as an academic discipline, and equips students with an analytical
perspective of society and everyday life through social theories in particular.
Students will have the opportunities to analyze the ways in which people interact
and function in social groups. It is a practical as well as theoretical study,
including culture, values, and norms, social stratification, conformity, deviance,
urban living, social change, and social movements. By learning how to apply
theory to empirical examples, the students will develop their “sociological
imagination”, and cultivate an open perspective to understand their behavior,
society, and other cultures.
Course learning Upon the successful completion of this course students will be able to:
outcomes Competency level Course learning outcome (CLO)
Knowledge CLO1. Know and understand the underlying concepts
and principles of sociology as they relate to the study of
business management.
Skill CLO2. Organize ideas gained from theoretical
understanding of sociology and apply them to business
and management situations.
Attitude and Virtue CLO3. Being aware of unethical and illegal behaviors
and actions
Content The description of the contents should clearly indicate the weighting of the
content and the level.
Weight: lecture session (3 hours)
Teaching levels: I (Introduce); T (Teach); U (Utilize)
Topic Weight Level
Understanding Sociology 2 I, T
Culture 2 I, T, U
Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure 2 I, T
The Family and Household Diversity 1 T, U
Stratification by Gender and Sexuality 1 T, U
Deviance, Crime, and Social Control 1 I, T, U
Mass Media and Social Media 1 T, U
Health, Population, and the Environment 1 T, U
Sociological Research 1 I, T, U

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 Examination Multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, writing questions, writing
forms essay
Study and Attendance: A minimum attendance of 80 percent is compulsory for the class
examination sessions. Students will be assessed on the basis of their class participation.
requirements Questions and comments are strongly encouraged.
Assignments/Examination: Students must have more than 50/100 points overall
to pass this course.
Reading list Main textbook: (Schaefer, 2019)(Schaefer, 2022)
Further reading: (Kendall, 2021)
Kendall, D. (2021) Sociology in Our Times: The Essentials. 12th edn. Cengage
Learning.
Schaefer, R. T. (2019) Sociology: A Brief Introduction. 13th edn. New York:
McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
Schaefer, R. T. (2022) Sociology: A Brief Introduction. 14th edn. McGraw-Hill
Education.

2. Learning Outcomes Matrix (optional)

The relationship between Course Learning Outcomes (CLO) (1-3) and Program/Student
Learning Outcomes (SLO) (1-9) is shown in the following table:
SLO
CLO 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
1 X
2 X
3 X

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3. Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Week Topic Reading CLO Learning activities Sources

1 Class introduction
2 Understanding Sociology – Part 1 Textbook, Chapter 1 1, 2, 3 Lecture, Discussion (Schaefer, 2022)
3 Understanding Sociology – Part 2 Textbook, Chapter 1 1, 2, 3 Lecture, Discussion (Schaefer, 2022)
4 Culture – Part 1 Textbook, Chapter 3 1, 2, 3 Lecture, Presentation, (Schaefer, 2022)
Discussion
5 Culture – Part 2 Textbook, Chapter 3 1, 2, 3 Lecture, Presentation, (Schaefer, 2022)
Discussion
6 Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure – Part 1 Textbook, Chapter 5 1, 2, 3 Lecture, Discussion (Schaefer, 2022)
7 Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure – Part 2 Textbook, Chapter 5 1, 2, 3 Lecture, Discussion (Schaefer, 2022)
8 Review for Midterm Exam
9 - 10 Mid-term exam No class
11 The Family and Household Diversity Textbook, Chapter 12 1, 2, 3 Lecture, Presentation, (Schaefer, 2022)
Discussion
12 Stratification by Gender and Sexuality Textbook, Chapter 11 1, 2, 3 Lecture, Presentation, (Schaefer, 2022)
Discussion
13 Sociological Research Textbook, Chapter 2 1, 2, 3 Lecture, Discussion (Schaefer, 2022)
14 Deviance, Crime, and Social Control Textbook, Chapter 7 1, 2, 3 Lecture, Discussion (Schaefer, 2022)
15 Mass Media and Social Media Textbook, Chapter 6 1, 2, 3 Lecture, Presentation, (Schaefer, 2022)
Discussion
16 Health, Population, and the Environment Textbook, Chapter 15 1, 2, 3 Lecture, Presentation, (Schaefer, 2022)
Discussion
17 Review for Final exam
18 Reserved week
19-20 Final exam No Class

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4. Assessment plan

Assessment Type Weight CLO1 CLO2 CLO3

Attendance, class participation, group presentation, 30% 50% Pass 50% Pass 50% Pass
group assignments, individual assignments
Midterm exam 30% 50% Pass 50% Pass 50% Pass
Final exam 40% 50% Pass 50% Pass 50% Pass

Note: %Pass: Target that % of students having scores greater than 50 out of 100.

5. Rubrics
All questions in midterm and final exams are evaluated, according to ACBSP and Bloom
taxonomy, topic, learning objective, program and course learning outcomes, and difficulty.

6. Date revised: August 16, 2022

Ho Chi Minh City, dd/mm/yyyy

Head/Dean of Department/School

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 APPENDIX
PROGRAM/STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Program Expected Learning Outcomes Code SLO

Business Knowledge

a1.Students possess extended, updated knowledge about business management which is based on the platform of the
knowledge that has been taught at the undergraduate level: knowledge of marketing management. statistics in business,
business finance, accounting, strategic management, international business management, human resource management, supply SLO 1
chain management, management information system, production and operation management, economics and organizational
behavior.
a.
a2. Students gain knowledge of scientific research methods to become capable researchers in Business Administration field.
SLO 2
With the acquired knowledge, they can continue to learn Doctoral program in Business Administration.

a3. Students have deep knowledge about current economic issues in Vietnam as well as in the world economy. They
understand micro and macro environmental factors that can affect company business performance and success. They know
SLO 3
about various models used to analyze strength, weakness, threats and opportunities for strategic planning and forecasting
purpose.
Skills
b1. Students master up-to-date scientific research methods and tools in the field of economics and management. They can
SLO 4
b recognize practical business problems, do researches and propose measures to solve the problems.
.
b2. Students acquire skills of critical thinking, analyzing, researching, evaluating, comparing, synthesizing, which they can use
to find out and solve business problems and make relevant business decisions. The students master communication skills and SLO 5
social skills, which help them work successfully in an international multicultural environment.
Abilities
c1.Students are able to take management positions of all levels at domestic and foreign companies in various sectors of an
c. economy. They can perform well management functions of planning, organizing, coordinating, motivating, leading, and
SLO 6
controlling. They are able to make appropriate decisions in fast changing market conditions. They are able to design and
develop strategic plans and policies for companies.

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 Virtue
d
. d1.Students possess professional ethics, moral, and proper understanding of integrity, responsibility, accountability. Students
SLO 7
are aware of unethical and illegal behavior and actions. They stand against bribery and corruption.
Language and computer skills
e. e1.Students master English skills that they use effectively in an international working environment. They can work well with
SLO 8
foreign partners and colleagues. They can use English well in negotiation and networking, communication and reporting.
e2.Students have good computer skills they can use for their management purpose. They can use some computer software to do
SLO 9
research, process data and perform statistical analysis.