soci103 Syllabus

Dr. John Ambenge

SOCI 103 SOCIAL PROBLEMS Spring 2007

3 CREDITS CRN 1286

Online

Description:

A systematic analysis of major contemporary social problems. Some of the topics to be covered include mental illness, crime, poverty, racial and ethnic conflicts, gender inequality, age and aging, family and violence, alcohol and drug abuse, with emphasis on their origins. This course is recommended as the introductory course for students who have an interest to major in sociology or social work.

Course Objectives:

It is expected that at the end of the course, students should be able to:

a) State the sociological definition of a social problem and distinguish between subjective awareness and objective reality of social problems.

b) Explain how age, gender, household composition, race, and ethnicity relate to the likelihood of a person living in poverty in the United States.

c) State the individual, cultural, and structural explanations of poverty, and explain why sociologists prefer the structural explanations.

d) Compare and contrast the experiences of Native Americans, African Americans, Latino Americans, and Asian Americans in the United States.

e) Define ageism and state why it is considered a social problem.

f) Understand sexual orientation and explain how religion and law influence people’s beliefs about homosexuality and people’s reactions to pornography.

g) Compare and contrast biological, psychological, and sociological perspectives on alcohol and drug addiction.

h) Define, and distinguish between the different types of crimes and the characteristics of parents who abuse their children.

i) Explain how race, class, and gender affect health care in the United States.

j) Discuss the major problems in education in the United States and what means have been proposed for resolving them.

Course Requirements and Evaluation Methods:

a) Weekly discussions posted on the Discussion Board = 20%.

b) Weekly Glossary Quizzes = 20%

c) Projects (2) = 10%

d) Mid-term Exam = 20%

e) Final Exam = 30%

Projects must be submitted not later than 5/11/07. Late submissions will not be graded and requests for extension will not be granted.

Textbook:

Macionis, John J. 2005. Social problems, 2^nd edition, Pearson Prentice hall: Upper Saddler River, NJ.

Discussion:

Each student will be assigned the role of leading the discussion on a topic related to chapter readings of the week. The order of the assignment will be in alphabetical order.

Since the issues covered will provoke diverse viewpoints, your views are both welcome and encouraged so long as they contribute toward a healthy discussion. I urge everyone to contact themselves in a more civil manner and avoid personal attacks, even in the most controversial issues. We may agree to disagree without being personal.

Withdrawal from Courses:

A student who wishes to withdraw from the course must obtain a withdrawal form from the Records Office, fill in and sign the form, obtain the signature of the course instructor and return the completed form to the Records Office. Please don’t ask me over the phone or via email to withdraw you from my class. It is your responsibility to do so by observing the protocol.

Grading System:

95 – 100 = A

90 – 94 = A-

87 – 89 = B+

84 – 86 = B

80 – 83 = B-

77 – 79 = C+

74 – 76 = C

70 – 73 = C-

67 – 69 = D+

64 – 66 = D

60 – 63 = D-

Below 60 = F

Topics & Readings:

Week 1: 01/22 – 01/28 Chapter 1: Sociology: Studying Social Problems

The Sociological Perspectives

Social Problems: The Basics

Analyzing Social problems

Responding to Social Problems

Week 2: 01/29 – 02/04 Chapter 2: Problems of Social Inequality

Economic Inequality in the United States

The Rich and the Poor: A social Profile

Problems linked to Poverty

Responding to Poverty

Theoretical Analysis

Politics and Poverty

Week 3: 02/05 – 02/011 Chapter 3: Racial & Ethnic Inequalities

Race and ethnicity

Patterns of interaction

The Social Standing of U.S. Minorities

Discrimination

Theoretical Analysis

Politics, race, and Ethnicity

Week 4: 02/12 – 02/18 Chapter 4: Gender Inequalities,

What is Gender?

Gender and Social Institutions

Gender Stratification

Theoretical analysis

Politics and Gender

Week 5: 02/19 – 02/25 Chapter 5: Aging & Inequality

Growing old

The Graying of the United States

Problems of Aging

Theoretical Analysis

Politics & Aging

Week 6: 02/26 – 03/04 Chapter 6: Crime & Criminal Justice

Norms, law, and Crime

The Extent of the Problem

Who Are the Criminals?

Criminal Justice System

Theoretical Analysis

Politics and Crime

Week 7: 03/05 – 03/11 Chapter 7: Violence as A social problem

Criminal Violence

Family Violence

Social Dimension of Violence

Theoretical Analysis

Politics and Violence

Week 8: 03/12 – 03/18 Chapter 8: Sexuality

Sexual attitudes in the United States

Theoretical approaches

Politics and Sexuality

Week 9: 03/19 – 03/23 Spring Break (No Classes)

Week 10: 03/26 – 04/01 Chapter 9: Alcohol & Other Drugs

What is a Drug?

The Extent of Drug Use

Types of Drugs and the social problems

Politics and Drugs

Theoretical Analysis

Week 11: 04/02 – 04/08 Chapters 10: Physical& Mental Illness

Health and Illness: A Global Perspective

Health Care in the United States

Mental Health and Illness

Theoretical Analysis

Politics and Health

Week 12: 04/09 – 04/15 Chapter 11: Economy & Politics

Economic Systems

The Problems of the U.S. Political Economy

Theoretical Analysis

Economics and Politics

Week 13: 04/16 - 04/22 Chapter 12: Work and Workplace

Structural Changes in the U.S. Economy