This course is an introduction to the field of sociology as a scientific discipline; emphases on global studies, cross-cultural analysis, and American cultural diversity in terms of cultural heritage and national origin, race/color/ethnicity, social class, gender/sexuality/women's studies, family structure, age, ability, religion, language, and sensitivity to all other forms of social and cultural diversity; examination of human societies from various sociological perspectives; analysis of the relationship between personality development and the sociocultural environment; the comparative presentation of social institutions and possible influences on behavior.