socialproblemsfall2000syllabus-msc

Introduction to Social Problems

(SOCI 1160-02, CRN 60946)

Dr. Jeffrey P. Blick

Class Meeting Time and Place: M&W, 6:45-8:00 PM, Room M220

Office Hours: Before and after class and by appointment

E-mail: jblick@mail.gcsu.edu, jblick@bellsouth.net

Website: http://www.faculty.de.gcsu.edu/~jblick/

Required Textbook:

*Social Problems (7th ed.) by James W. Coleman & Donald R. Cressey (Longman, 1999)

Course Description:

The purpose of this course is to provide a solid introduction to the major social problems facing the United States and the world today. Students will become familiar with the sociological approach to social problems to help them view society and the world with a greater sociological and social awareness and a more open-minded approach. Since many of the social problems to be discussed are controversial (e.g., the family, poverty and inequality, race and ethnicity, gender and sex, drug use, crime and violence, population, the environment, war and conflict) this class is bound to be exciting and thought provoking. Students in the modern world must face these and other important issues and learn to formulate their own ideas and opinions on how to deal with certain social problems.

Objectives:

A. To acquire a basic knowledge and understanding of social problems and the Sociological approach to social problems, including the major concepts, theories, methods, and models.

B. To recognize and understand the major social problems that face the United States and the world today.

C. To comprehend the complexity of selected modern social problems through the application of a Sociological perspective.

D. To understand and apply basic Sociological methods and techniques to social problems in our own society and the world in order to view such problems more objectively, relatively, and critically.

E. To learn to comprehend, apply, analyze, and evaluate the internal views offered by the authors and to synthesize a personal perspective on social problems based on facts rather than emotion.

Course Requirements and Grading Procedure:

There will be five article reviews and two exams during the course of the semester. Article reviews make up 25% of your grade (5 at 5% each). Exams will make up 60% of your grade (2 at 30% each). Finally, attendance will count as 15% of your grade. Article reviews will serve to test your currency, comprehension, and appreciation of social problems as the class progresses. Exams will consist of 50 multiple choice questions each. This class uses the 10 Point Grading Scale (90-100=A, 80-89=B, 70-79=C, 60-69=D, 59 and below=F). Absences will affect your performance in this class as 15% of your grade is based on attendance. Overdue assignments or missed exams due to unexcused absences cannot be made up. Excuses must be signed by a doctor or other official giving a valid explanation for the absence. There will be no make up opportunities in this class (except for excused absences) nor is there extra credit.

Class Schedule:

This schedule is an outline of planned course readings and activities that may be modified to allow for addition or deletion of certain classroom materials, discussions, guest speakers, etc. Movies or videos will be scheduled based on availability and relevance.

Students are expected to have read the assigned material BEFORE coming to class so that they are well informed and up to date on the subject matter to be covered in that evening's lecture. Dates in Boldface indicate assignment due dates and/or exam dates.

1. M 8/21/00: Bureaucratic and Administrative Details. Introduction to Social Problems. What are Social Problems?

2. W 8/23/00: Read Chapter 1. Sociology and Social Problems. Social Institutions.

3. M 8/28/00: Read Chapter 2. Problems of the Family.

4. W 8/30/00: Read Chapter 3. Problems of Education.

M 9/4/00: OFF - LABOR DAY HOLIDAY.

5. W 9/6/00: Read Chapter 4. Problems of the Economy. Turn in First Article Review (topics: general social problems, family problems, education problems, economic problems).

6. M 9/11/00: Read Chapter 5. Problems of Government.

7. W 9/13/00: Read Chapter 6. Health and Illness.

8. M 9/18/00: Read Chapter 7. The Poor.

9. W 9/20/00: More on Chapter 7, The Poor.

10. M 9/25/00: Read Chapter 8. The Ethnic Minorities.

11. W 9/27/00: More on Chapter 8, The Ethnic Minorities. Turn in Second Article Review (topics: government problems, problems with health & illness, the poor, ethnic minorities).

12. M 10/2/00: Read Chapter 9. The Old and The Young.

13. W 10/4/00: Read Chapter 10. Women and Men.

14. M 10/9/00: Read Chapter 11. Sexual Behavior.

15. W 10/11/00: More on Sexual Behavior. Review for Exam. Turn in Third Article Review (topics: problems with the old & young, problems with women & men, problems related to sexual behavior).

16. M 10/16/00: MIDTERM EXAM ON CHAPTERS 1-11.

17. W 10/18/00: Return and Review Exam.

18. M 10/23/00: Read Chapter 12. Drug Use.

19. W 10/25/00: More on Chapter 12, Drug Use.

20. M 10/30/00: Read Chapter 13. Crime and Violence.

21. W 11/1/00: More on Chapter 13, Crime and Violence. Turn in Fourth Article Review (topics: problems related to drug use, crime & violence).

22. M 11/6/00: Read Chapter 14. Urbanization.

23. W 11/8/00: More on Chapter 14, Urbanization.

24. M 11/13/00: Read Chapter 15. Population.

25. W 11/15/00: More on Chapter 15, Population.

26. M 11/20/00: Read Chapter 16. The Environment.

W 11/22/00: OFF - THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY.

27. M 11/27/00: Read Chapter 17. The Global Divide: Problems of International Equality.

28. W 11/29/00: More on Chapter 17, The Global Divide. Turn in Fifth Article Review (topics: problems with urbanization, population, the environment, & global inequality).

29. M 12/4/00: Read Chapter 18. Warfare: Revolutionary, Ethnic, and International Conflict.

30. W 12/6/00: Read Epilogue: Social Problems in the 21st Century: Looking Forward and Looking Back. More on Warfare & Conflict. Review for Exam.