Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire. —William Butler Yeats
The ultimate goal of the educational system is to shift to the individual the burden of pursuing his education.
— John W. Gardner
Your education represents an investment—not only in yourself, but also in your future. I hope this course, Introduction to Sociology, helps you achieve your educational and personal goals!
Your exploration of sociology will take you on a fascinating journey. Sociology is an exciting discipline that helps us develop what sociologists call a sociological imagination. This enables us to explore our personal experiences within the context of our ever-shrinking world. Through your reading and observing, you’ll discover how the sociologist examines everyday activities and what makes sociology so relevant to our world.
You’ll meet many people who are simply living their lives—some in extraordinary ways, some in very ordinary ways. These people contribute to the course by allowing their stories to be revealed. They help us understand how meaningful sociology is today and how important it is for our future!
As you embark on this exploration and journey into sociology, I hope you will ask yourself, How does this apply to my life? One of the challenges of education is to build that bridge from the concepts and theories of a discipline to the real lives of students. Beginning today, ask yourself how sociology is relevant in your life. Use the tools of sociology to appreciate your life and to celebrate the diversity of our global community.
Enjoy your exploration of society and journey into sociology! — Jane A. Penney