Social change and social reproduction: why they matter in introductory sociology

Zach Rubin

Chapter 7 in Teaching Introduction to Sociology, 2026, pp 73-84 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Social change and social reproduction are essential sociological concepts, as defined in the Sociological Literacy Framework (SLF). However, they are often shortchanged in how introductory sociology is taught, relegated to partial definitions or taken as a priori knowledge stemming from the words themselves. In textbooks, social reproduction is often treated as implicit, fragmented, or synonymous with class alone; and social change is foregrounded mainly in concluding chapters. If we, as sociologists, seek to recapture a sociology that is our own, we must reinvigorate ownership of these terms and their uses for understanding the social world. This chapter offers concrete exercises that embed reproduction and change across topics and SLF skills and provides a suggested pathway for greater integration into introductory courses.

Keywords: Social Change; Social Reproduction; Sociological Literacy Framework; Sociology Education (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035355778
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