What is sociology? An introductory course on key concepts

From 50.77 $ /h

The course, ' What is sociology?’, is taken from a textbook. The textbook comprehensively explores sociology, aimed at both students and educators. It explores various aspects of sociology and provides a rich understanding of social structures and institutions and their impact on human behavior and the organization of society. The course follows the same lines as my textbook (which can be found on Amazon in French and English).
The course is organized into 14 modules as follows:

1. Introduction to Sociology
2 . The Origins and Development of Sociology
3 . The History of Sociology
4 . Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology
5. Research Methods in Sociology
6 . Socialization and Identity
7. Social Structures and Institutions
8 . Social Stratification and Inequality
9 . Culture and Society
10 . Sociology of Religion
11 . Deviance and Crime
12 . Social Change and Social Movements
13 . The Future of Sociology
14 . Conclusion: A Reflective Journey Through Sociology

Every time, the teacher starts by presenting the topic. The students are required to take notes. Then, we start the questions and answers to ensure the students understand what was said. Then, we summarize, and that ends the session.

NB: There will also be a distribution of references for further reading on the subject.

Overall, the course provides a theoretical foundation for understanding key sociological concepts and their application to analyze and resolve societal complexities. It will be supplemented by practical exercises in content analysis, text intelligence, etc.

Extra information

Every student should inform the teacher of his/her level, whether they have studied sociology before, and their purposes (what they expect from the course).

Location

Online from France

About Me

Welcome!

My name is Dr. Hichem, and I am a lecturer in sociology and Arabic studies.
I teach in three languages: French, Arabic, and English.
My method is simple: I adapt to each student's needs. The goal is to help them progress.

Here are some of my scientific publications (articles not included):
Author or co-author of the following books:
1. Researching Society: An Introduction To Sociological Method. Global East-West 2024.
2. What Is Society? A Course Textbook. Global East-West 2024.
3. What Is Sociology About? Key Concepts for Students and Teachers. Global East-West 2024.
4. The Power Of Small States: Diplomacy In The Global Arena. Global East-West 2024.
5. France's Arab Policy: From De Gaulle to Macron. Global East-West (London: 2024).
6. Breaking the Veil: Unmasking Stigma Against Islam in the West. Global East-West. (London: 2024).
7. The Evolution of Qatari Foreign Policy. Global East-West (London: 2024).
8. The French Sociological Tradition: Essential Thinkers and Theories. Global East-West (London: 2024).
9. About Albert Camus: The Man Behind the Myth. Global East-West (London: 2024).
10. De la Revolution au Renouveau. Global East-West(London: 2024).
11. Angry Africa: A Study on Post-Colonialism and How "France-Afrique" Policy Led to Anti-French Coups. Global East-West (London: 2024).
12. The Invisible Hand: Uncovering the Deep State's Control Over Government. Global East-West (London: 2024).
13. The Right To Resist: Zionism and Fascism. Global East-West (London: 2023).
14. Children of Gaza: Requiem For a Civilisation In Decline. Global East-West (London: 2023).
15. I Have The Time. "Questions" series. Publisher: Global East-West (London 2023).
16. Treatise On Self-Improvement: Unlock Your Potential. "Questions" series. Publisher: Global East-West (London 2023).
17. What is Happiness? An Essay on the Infinite Ways to Find Lasting Joy. "Questions" series. Publisher: Global East-West (London 2023).
18. Leadership's Involvement In Institutional Excellence: Empowerment, Anticipation, Creativity. Noon Publishing (Paris 2020). Ebook. Arabic.
19. The Apparent Chinese Paradox. Chapter in the collective book "The Syrian Crisis." Springer (2020).
20. Geopolitical Shifts in the Triangle: The United States, the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and China. Chapter in the collective book: “Handbook On China and Globalization. ” Edward Elgar House ( London: 2019), in collaboration with the Center for China and Globalization, Beijing.
21. Negotiation and Bargaining. Noon Publishing (Paris: 2018). Ebook. Arabic.
22. Inventing The Middle East. Noon Publishing (Paris: 2018 ). Ebook. Arabic.
23. U.S. Policy and the Arab-Muslim World: The Understanding Abyss. Noon Publishing (Paris: 2018 ). Ebook. Arabic.
24. On China And the Arabs. With Dr Gafar Karar Ahmed. Noon Publishing (Paris: 2018 ).
25. Chatting With My Chinese Friend, KRPC Publications (Paris: 2016).
26. Conservative Revolution and Other Essays, KRPC/Middle East Studies, Paris (Paris: 2015).
27. Diplomacy and Conflict: Policy Analyses. Middle-East-Studies/KRPC, (Paris: 2015 ).
28. Policy Analyses: 2002-2003 (Arabic) Volume 1. KRPC (Paris: 2015).
29. The Political Algebra of Global Value Change: General Models and Implications for the Muslim World. With Arno Tausch, and Almas Heshmati. Nova Science (New York: 2014).
30. Middle East Studies in the USA after 9/11: Shaping American Perceptions. Nama Centre for Research and Studies (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: 2013). Arabic.
31. U.S.- Saudi Love-Hate Story. A Middle East Studies Book. Charleston, S.C. USA. (2013).
32. Power Revolving Doors: The Shaping of American Perception of Middle East Studies. A Middle East Studies Book. (Charleston, S.C. USA. 2013.)
33. L’administration Bush au Moyen-Orient. (French). Middle East Books ( Paris: 2013).
34. Arab Spring, The New Middle East in the Making. CS/A Middle East Studies Book. (Charleston, S.C. USA. 2012).
35. The Bush II Years in the Middle East (2000-2008) A case study in the sociology of international relations. Middle East Books (Paris - South Carolina: 2012).
36. Diplomacy versus Transparency and Risk Society. Chapter in a collective book: The WikiLeaks Phenomenon: Media and Politics Controversy Between the Virtual and the Real. Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies. (Doha-Beirut: 2012) . Arabic.
37. Post-Kemalist Politics in Turkey. Chapter in a collective book: The Arabs and Turkey: Present Challenges and Future Bets. The Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies (Doha-Beirut: 2012). Arabic.
38. Muslims: Nightmare or Strength for Europe? With Arnaud Tausch. L’Harmattan (Paris: 2011). French.
39. Where is Saudi Arabia Headed? (French), L’Harmattan (Paris: 2006).
40. Post-Saddam in Iraq, (French), L’Harmattan (Paris: 2005 ).
41. The Eagle and the Borders: Prolegomenon to a Critique of the Arab Political Reality. Al-Nawras Publishing (Tunisia: 1989). Arabic.
42. International Balance From Cold War to Détente. Addar Al-Arabiyya (Tunisia: 1985). Arabic.

Education

PhD in Sociology, Sorbonne University (Paris 3). Very honourable. 2009.
o MA in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean Studies, Sorbonne University (Paris 3), Very honourable. 2005.
o Maitrise (Master 1) in English Language, Literature and Civilisation, Sorbonne University (Paris 3). Very honourable. 2005.
o Maitrise (Master 1) in Arabic Language, Literature and Civilisation from the Sorbonne University (Paris 3). Very honourable. 2004.

Experience / Qualifications

Qualifications (Ministry of Higher Education and Research)

Senior lecturer in section 19: sociology (2010);
and in section 15: Arabic studies (2011).

Professional experience (in brief):
From 2023: Research Director at Reports & Analyses (The Voice of the Mediterranean).
2019- 2023: Researcher and Consultant for "Underscore Media."
January 2020 - October 2022: Executive Director of the Gulf Future Center (London).
From 2019 : Non-resident Senior Fellow and academic adviser for :
o Center for International Economic Cooperation (Beijing),
o Center for China and Globalization, (Beijing),
o Sino-European Center, (Hangzhou).
o Shanghai University for International Studies’ Sino-Arab Cooperation Center.

2013 - 2019: Consultant at the Diplomatic Institute, Doha. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar.
2011-2013: Associate Researcher, Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies (Doha), Qatar.
2009 - 2011: Researcher at the Sorbonne University's Centre for Contemporary Oriental Studies (Paris 3.)
o Editor of a trilingual peer-reviewed academic journal in cooperation with the Director of the Centre and several research professors in France and abroad. ( 6 quarterly issues were published): Middle East Studies. ISSN: 2109-9618.

Age

Adults (18-64 years old)

Seniors (65+ years old)

Student level

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

Duration

60 minutes

The class is taught in

French

English

Arabic

Skills

Social studies

Availability of a typical week

(GMT -05:00)

New York

Online via webcam

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

00-04

04-08

08-12

12-16

16-20

20-24

Lidia

5.0

(1)

Specialize into simplifying concepts; experienced in International Education MYP, IB, Jury Central, BA, MBA.
English as second language, Literature, Social & Political Sciences, Law, History, Arts and Theoretical Sciences.

Cambridge certified Teacher, professor of Business Law and Ethics.

Bushra

5.0

(1)

I am a qualified teacher with an experience of teaching all school levels. Willing to work with studenys who are energetic and has a positive attitude with a dynamic and enjoyable education environment and flexible working hours. Teaching and learning in a safe and healthy environment.

Emilce

5.0

(1)

In these neuro-divergent times, the binary division of "one language or two" in bilinguals is perhaps due some contestation, which students are capable of providing. I have always found bilingual production models (and the ubiquitous Powerpoint slide) that university teachers provide a hindrance because of their lack of explicitness and discussion - they are just not relatable as presented nor do they provide much information or examples for monolingual students.

Code-switching, a by-product of bilingualism, is now a term that is even found in minority-ethnic neighbourhood grafitti ("can white people code-switch" a found example). Please note that this is a linguistic term, used for switching between two languages, and not between local or social varieties of English.

My personal position is that there is no such thing as bilingualism: there is always a language that suffers attrition, and one language that prevails, mostly because of its prestigious standing over the other language. On the other hand, a child exposed to more than one language cannot be truly monolingual.

For this course (very popular at universities around Europe both at undergraduate and postgraduate level) we shall go through the terms used to discuss bilingualism, in detail, and then discuss, with the help of published books and articles, who can be considered bilingual (or are we all, one other language lying dormant?). Can bilingualism be defined by the speaker, instead of the "community"? Can it be imposed by the State? Does a bilingual brain function in the same manner as a monolingual brain? These are research questions that emerge as dissertation or thesis topics both at undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Bader

5.0

(1)

To be a laywer is the great triumph in a man's life, and to this end, through these courses, we will launch the adventure of becoming a jurist, extending into the legal arsenal and the discipline of legal sciences by studying law and its principles, justice, its effects...
Law, as a branch of the social sciences, serves to regulate the lives of people and actors in society through a body of legislation drawn up according to a set process.
as a post-graduate researcher in the field of international trade, with a background in business law (B.A.), international law (M1) and investment law (M2), i'd be delighted to share my knowledge of the subject with you.
This class will inspire you to love the magic of the Law and become a jurist in the breadth of mastering legal and political sciences.
Embark on a captivating exploration of the legal realm in my comprehensive law class. As a seasoned freelancer on Apprentus, I offer a unique learning experience that covers the intricacies of law, international law, and civil law. Dive into foundational principles, dissect international legal frameworks, and master the nuances of civil law. This class is designed for individuals eager to grasp the essentials of law, providing valuable insights and practical knowledge. Join me for an enlightening journey into the dynamic and fascinating world of jurisprudence.
I'm pursuing a Ph.D. I am a volunteer teacher in several associations, plus I supervise students in supervised work at the faculty. I am still funded by IRD for weekly seminars throughout the year on the law and protection of the marine environment.
I am a young consultant. Adept at translating complex legal issues into practical solutions, I have successfully navigated intricate legal landscapes to deliver favorable outcomes for clients and stakeholders. I was in an internship position at more than three firms of law in Morocco.
Course Highlights:

Foundations of Law:

Explore the fundamental principles that underpin legal systems.
Understand the basics of legal reasoning and analysis.
International Law Insights:

Delve into the complexities of international law.
Examine the role of international institutions and treaties.
Civil Law Mastery:

Navigate the nuances of civil law with a focus on private disputes.
Learn about contracts, torts, and property rights in civil law.
Interactive Learning:

Engage in thought-provoking discussions and case studies.
Participate in simulations to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios.
Tailored Approach:

Receive personalized attention and guidance to suit your learning style.
Benefit from a flexible curriculum that adapts to your needs and interests.

Hala

5.0

(1)

Tailored Tutoring in Social Sciences and International Relations

Subjects Offered:
- International Relations
- History (Global, European, and Middle Eastern)
- Political Science

Additional Support:
Assistance and guidance in completing assignments in Political Science and International Relations

Languages of Instruction:
English, French and Arabic

Target Audience:
Students (high school and university)
Non-students

Teaching Methodology:
- Engaging approach that draws upon a rich tapestry of historical, geographical, and socioeconomic contexts to foster a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter
- Integration of theoretical frameworks into lessons upon request
- Incorporation of diverse visual aids, including maps, videos, photographs, and real-world examples from both historical and contemporary events, to enrich the learning experience

Lucía

5.0

(1)

My name is Lucía. I hold a Bachelor's degree and a Professorship in Sociology. I also hold a Master's degree, fluency in English, and over 12 years of experience teaching at the university level, both in person and online. I specifically teach courses on academic writing and research, and I have supervised theses. My classes are based on the transmission of both knowledge and study techniques, in addition to a strong focus on writing.

Abbass

5.0

(1)

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to Quantitative Research Methods, equipping students with the tools to design, conduct, and analyze research using numerical data. The course balances theory with practical application, helping learners develop strong research skills applicable in academia, business, and professional settings.

Through interactive lessons, students will learn how to formulate research questions, collect and analyze data, and interpret results using statistical software such as SPSS, JASP, R, or Python. Real-world examples and exercises are included to reinforce understanding and develop practical skills for research projects or thesis work.

Paula

5.0

(1)

Years of experience in teaching, preparing, and delivering content for primary, secondary, and high school levels in subjects such as English, History, Art, Language and Literature, and Philosophy. I also have experience in the humanities and social sciences. I have experience tutoring adults and teenagers preparing for university entrance exams in these disciplines. I also teach basic levels of English (A1/A2/B1).

Marwa

5.0

(1)

Welcome!
I am an Arabic language and religious education teacher, and a Quran memorization instructor. I offer customized lessons for students of all ages and levels, from beginners to advanced learners. I strive to simplify information and present it in an engaging and easy-to-understand way, focusing on developing essential skills: reading, writing, grammar, comprehension, and expression. I also teach Tajweed (the rules of Quranic recitation) and ensure correct memorization of the Holy Quran.

I offer lessons:

In Arabic: Grammar - Morphology - Reading - Writing - Language Skills - Schools.

In religious education: jurisprudence - biography - creed - Islamic manners.

Memorizing the Holy Quran with correct recitation and teaching Tajweed for beginners, children and adults.

I deal with students with patience and care, and I create an educational plan for each student that suits their level and needs, to ensure progress step by step and effectively.

Leslie

5.0

(1)

I am a graduate educator with a master's degree, but I have many years of experience working with children, adolescents, young adults, and adults. I am passionate about helping and teaching. Spanish is my native language, and I am also a psychologist. I speak basic English and French, which I am improving every day.

David

5.0

(1)

Let's try to do the homework you're dreading on your own, and I'll help you understand it better as much as I can. Just bring a positive attitude, and I'll take care of the rest. I'm not your typical teacher, but I am here to support you and hope to help.

Sarper

5.0

(1)

Academic Excellence in Social Sciences

In these sessions, we will transform your research ideas into a structured and high-quality academic work. Whether you are at the very beginning of your thesis or struggling with the final formatting, I provide tailored support according to your needs.

The process typically includes:

Foundation: Finalizing your research question and building a logical outline.

Research: Guiding you through effective literature search strategies in both Turkish and English databases.

Drafting: Reviewing your chapters for academic tone, coherence, and argumentative strength.

Technical Precision: Detailed guidance on citation styles (APA, MLA, OSCOLA, etc.) to ensure zero plagiarism and perfect formatting.

Legal Perspective: For law students, I offer specific insights into legal methodology and case law analysis.

Methodology: My approach is interactive. I don’t just provide feedback; I explain the "why" behind academic standards so you can develop your own scholarly writing skills. We can conduct our sessions in either Turkish or English, depending on your university's requirements.

Ananthu

5.0

(1)

A young, dynamic, and passionate economics tutor who makes learning engaging, simple, and results-driven. I have several years of teaching experience, including working in school settings and providing personalized instruction to individual students and small groups.

I specialize in online lessons as well as private, in-person classes at the student’s home or a convenient location, adapting my teaching style to each learner’s pace and goals. My sessions are interactive, easy-going, and well-structured, combining real-life examples with clear explanations so students feel confident, motivated, and truly understand economics.

Ovan

5.0

(1)

Colonial cities in Indonesia were shaped by political, economic, and cultural imperatives of empire. This course combines rigorous historical analysis with in-situ field learning, inviting international learners to experience colonial urban history through direct observation of city form, heritage architecture, and spatial organization.

Rather than abstract narratives or rote memorization, our approach treats cities as living texts. Students study how colonial authorities designed urban space for trade, governance, and control, and how these spatial logics endure in the modern city.

The class offers a hybrid blend of classroom discussion, archival interpretation, and guided urban walks in historically significant sites such as old town districts, port precincts, colonial administrative centers, and transportation infrastructure. Participants will explore heritage buildings, street patterns, canals, and rail alignments—observing how power was inscribed into the urban fabric.

Learning resources include historical maps, planning documents, photographs, and Dutch-language sources, combined with structured field observations to enhance analytical skills. Field sessions are designed not only to illustrate concepts discussed in class but to immerse students in the material realities of colonial urbanism.

By engaging with both documentary archives and urban environments, students will gain a deeper appreciation of how colonial spatial strategies were implemented and how their legacies shape contemporary Indonesian cities. This course is ideal for students, researchers, heritage professionals, and culturally curious travelers interested in urban history, architecture, and colonial studies.

Ben

5.0

(1)

I have taught at both undergraduate and graduate levels in Education, covering areas such as curriculum studies, educational psychology, and teacher professional development learning. My teaching emphasizes student-centered learning, critical inquiry, and the integration of theory with classroom practice. I adapt content to suit diverse learners.