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Open Educational Resources (OER) and Creative Commons

A guide for faculty interested in incorporating open access materials into their curriculum.

Sociology

SOCI 1110 Introduction to Sociology 

Introduction to Sociology 2nd Edition by OpenStax (2015):  Adheres to the scope and sequence of a typical, one-semester introductory sociology course. It offers comprehensive coverage of core concepts, foundational scholars, and emerging theories. The textbook presents section reviews with rich questions, discussions that help students apply their knowledge, and features that draw learners into the discipline in meaningful ways. The second edition has been updated significantly to reflect the latest research and current, relevant examples.

Boundless Sociology by Boundless.com (Unknown date): The Boundless Sociology textbook is a college-level, introductory textbook that covers the compelling and complex subject of Sociology. Boundless works with subject matter experts to select the best open educational resources available on the web, review the content for quality, and create introductory, college-level textbooks designed to meet the study needs of university students.

Introduction to Sociology by Ron Hammond (2015)The book is designed and written to be interesting to you. It provides a basic understanding of the science, theory, and research methods of the profession. Sociology began with a Frenchman named Auguste Comte (1798-1857) who saw that it could be very useful in solving modern social problems that were already emerging in Europe and other parts of the world in the 1820-40's. Other sociologists built upon his work and sociology has become a major academic and scientific discipline in its own right. Comte would be very pleased with sociology as a problem-solving science, one that has a unique perspective, wisdom, and body of scientific knowledge. Governments, corporations, religions, families, educators, and individuals have come to depend upon the same expertise you will discover in this textbook. You'll also find the narrative to be personal, the topics to be interesting, and you will feel very satisfied when you finally understand why society and people do the things they do. You will learn what sociology is, what sociology studies (and studies in a way better than all other disciplines), and how sociology as a science can help you in your personal life experiences. Finally, this textbook is an excellent case study of the sociological analysis of the United States. How we used the US statistics, trends, and historical facts used herein can be a useful example for you to do a similar analysis of your own country, state, province, county, or even city. (Website)

SOCI 2310 Contemporary Social Problems 

Social Problems: Continuity and Change by University of Minnesota (2010) Is a realistic but motivating look at the many issues that are facing our society today. As this book's subtitle, Continuity and Change, implies, social problems are persistent, but they have also improved in the past and can be improved in the present and future, provided that our nation has the wisdom and will to address them.

Sociology: Understanding and Changing the Social World by University of Minnesota (2010):The founders of sociology in the United States wanted to make a difference. A central aim of the sociologists of the Chicago school was to use sociological knowledge to achieve social reform. A related aim of sociologists like Jane Addams, W.E.B. DuBois, and Ida B. Wells-Barnett and others since was to use sociological knowledge to understand and alleviate gender, racial, and class inequality.

SOCI 2240 Sociology of Intimate Relationships and Family

Sociology of the Family by Ron Hammond (2015): This book builds upon the 80 plus years of sociology of the family research and teaching that has made the discipline a leader in the field of family studies. In this book you will find examples of scientific methods and statistics used by sociologist, combined with the powerful and insightful sociological theories which open new worlds of discovery and understanding to you about the family. Sociologists study the family at a personal and larger social level. This is important to note because you experience both the personal and larger social levels of the family in your society every day--but until now, you might not have known that fact! The narrative in this textbook is intentionally personal. The materiel is intentionally selected in hopes that it will be useful in your personal and larger social life experiences. The book is also filled with answers to significant concerns and questions students often have about the family. Finally, this textbook is an excellent case study of the sociological analysis of the family in the United States. How we used the US statistics, trends, and historical facts used herein can be a useful example for you to do a similar analysis of your own country, state, province, county, or even city.