Sociology 102
Contemporary Social Problems
Fall 2015
Instructor: Dr. Lee D. Millar Bidwell
Office Phone: 434-395-2699
Office: Ruffner 208
Office Hours: TR 9:30-10:30 a.m.; MW 2:00-3:00 and by appointment
E-mail: (address is case sensitive)
Social problems affect everyone, regardless of age, sex, race or economic level. At some point in our lives societal problems ensnare all of us… (Parillo, V. N., J. Stimson, and A. Stimson. Contemporary Social Problems, 1985, p. 2).
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As you begin the study of social problems, you will recognize that social problems involve human suffering. Studying them sometimes makes one feel overwhelmed by the seeming impossibility of solving them. Although pessimism may seem the only possible response to the magnitude of the problems we face, we must maintain hope that there is potential for easing society’s troubles (Scarpetti, F. R., and M. L. Andersen. Social Problems (2nd ed.). 1992, p. xx).
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Social problems are often closely interrelated. Crime, poverty, lack of medical care, violence, drug abuse, and many other behaviors or situations that we commonly think of as social problems rarely exist in social isolation (Kornblum, W., and J. Julian. Social Problems (9th ed.). 1998, p. 4).
±Course Description: “Contemporary Social Problems examines problems confronted by humans as both creators and objects of society. Problems of family instability, health and disease war, distribution of resources, substance abuse, gender role definition, [and] institutional responses to deviance will be addressed. Particular emphasis is given to how groups define, experience and attempt to solve these social problems. Attention will also be given to a global perspective, and how the concepts of fact, truth, and right and wrong are socially constructed” (Longwood University Catalog).
±Required Readings:
Treviño, A., 2015. Investigating Social Problems. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE. [978-1-4522-4203-3]
The textbook comes with free on-line study resources.
±Course Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
(1) distinguish between personal troubles and social problems;
(2) articulate the complex relationship between social institutions;
(3) articulate the complex causes, consequences, and interrelatedness of social problems;
(4) apply theoretical perspectives to social problems;
(5) articulate the strengths and limitations of various research methods used to study social problems; and
(6) identify various approaches to solving social problems.
Sociology 102 is a General Education Course. The course meets all of the general education course criteria as outlined in the Longwood University Catalog. Below are the 9 criteria for all General Education courses and a description of how each of these criteria will be met in this course.
General Education Courses Will… / In SOCL 102 Students Will…Teach a disciplinary mode of inquiry…and provide students with practice in applying their disciplinary mode of inquiry, critical thinking, or problem solving strategies. / (1) learn what the “sociological imagination” is and why it is essential to understanding and solving social problems; (2) learn the three primary paradigms in sociology and how each paradigm can be used to analyze and solve different social problems.
Provide examples of how disciplinary knowledge changes through creative applications of the chosen mode of inquiry. / examine a variety of empirical sociological studies regarding various social problems to see (1) how disciplinary knowledge evolves through research and theory development, and (2) how sociological knowledge both is influenced by social change and simultaneously influences social change.
Consider questions of ethical values. / (1) Learn the American Sociological Association’s Code of Professional Ethics, (2) discuss how those ethics must be maintained in sociological research, and (3) consider the ethical dilemmas sociologists face in following the professional code.
Explore past, current, and future implications…of disciplinary knowledge. / Examine individual social problems by reviewing its history (when it was identified as a social problem, how it came to be identified as a social problem), analyzing the current statistics and information related to the problem, and suggesting possible solutions to the problem.
Encourage consideration of course content from diverse perspectives. / Study each social problem from the three primary sociological paradigms.
Provide opportunities for students to increase information literacy through contemporary techniques of gathering, manipulating, and analyzing information and data. / Conduct research on several different social problems using appropriate scholarly sources.
Require at least one substantive written paper, oral report, or course journal and also require students to articulate information or ideas in their own words on tests and exams. / (1) Write weekly journal assignments; (2) take exams that will include both short answer and essay questions.
Foster awareness of the common elements among disciplines and the interconnectedness of disciplines / Examine how various social problems are informed by different disciplines (economics, history, political science, natural sciences, education, psychology), and how other disciplines study and explain various social problems.
Provide a rationale as to why knowledge of this discipline is important to the development of an educated citizen. / Examine and discuss contemporary news items related to each social problem discussed to illustrate the importance of the disciplinary knowledge in understanding the culture in which we live.
This course also is designed to specifically satisfy Goal 8: “An understanding of the forces shaping contemporary society as revealed in the social sciences.” Below is a description of the Goal 8 criteria, how the course will satisfy each criterion, and how you as students will be assessed to see if you have mastered that particular criterion.
In Goal 8 Courses, students will… / In Sociology 102, students will… / Assessment of CriterionUnderstand the major methods of social science inquiry / (1) learn about specific research techniques used to gather information about social problems through class lecture, discussion, and assigned textbook reading; / (1) students will be tested on their mastery of basic research methods using a question on an exam;
Recognize and explain major contributions of social science to our cultural heritage / learn to identify and explain the major theoretical paradigms in sociology, and to articulate how sociological theories and research studies have influenced American social policies designed to eliminate social problems. / (1) students will be tested on their understanding of the basic principles of sociological theories using a question on an exam; (2) students’ understanding of how social policy is influenced by social science theory and research will be measured using one or more questions on the second and final exam.
Understand how social science has been used to address significant contemporary issues / Explore how social scientists study and explain a variety of contemporary social problems (see Class Schedule for description of the problems being analyzed each week) through assigned reading, class lecture, class discussion, and videotapes. / Students will be tested on their overall understanding of how sociology and other social sciences are used to understand contemporary social problems through the final exam in the course.
±Course Requirements: Students are expected to read materials before class and participate in class discussions and activities. Furthermore, students will take three exams, conduct research, and write a paper on a specific social problem.
Grading:* /Points
Exam 1 / 100Exam 2 / 100
Final Exam
Journal Entries / 100
100
Total / 400
Grading Scale (% of total points):
100%-92%=A
91-90%=A-
89-88%=B+
87-83%=B
82-80%=B-
79-78%=C+
77-73%=C
72-70%=C-
69-68%=D+
67-63%=D
62-60%=D-
59% and below=F
±Important Dates:
Exam 1 / Sept. 25Exam 2 / Oct. 30
Final Exam / Sec. 02: Dec. 7, 8-10:30 a.m.
Sec. 03: Dec. 7, 3-5:30 p.m.
Journal Entries / Vary; See Class/Assignment Schedule
±Honor Code: Students are expected to abide by the Honor Code.
±Disability Accommodations: Any student who feels that she or he may need accommodations based on a disability should make an appointment to see me during office hours.
±Mandatory Reporting of Crimes and Sexual Misconduct: In accord with its history and mission, Longwood University believes that each individual should be treated with respect and dignity and that any form of crime or violence is incompatible with Longwood’s commitment to the dignity and worth of the individual. Longwood University is committed to providing a healthy living, learning and working environment which promotes personal integrity, civility and mutual respect. If you have been the victim of a crime or sexual misconduct we encourage you to report this.If you disclose this to a faculty member or employee, she or he is required by law to notify the appropriate University officials.The faculty member or employee cannot maintain complete confidentiality and is required to report the information that has been shared. Please know that all reported information is treated with discretion and respect and kept as private as possible. For more information about your options at Longwood:
http://www.longwood.edu/police/crimereports.htm
http://www.longwood.edu/studentconduct/12050.htm
http://www.longwood.edu/titleix
±Attendance Policy: Class attendance is important for student success; therefore you should strive to come to class every day. I enforce the Longwood University attendance policy, which can be found in the Longwood University Catalog. The policy states that students who miss “10% of the scheduled class meeting times for unexcused absences” [4 class periods] will have their grade lowered one letter grade. Furthermore, students who miss a “total (excused and unexcused) of 25% of the scheduled class meeting times” [11 class periods] will automatically receive a grade of ‘F.’” I am reasonable about excusing students from class, so if you are ill you need only call or e-mail me to tell me you cannot come to class. I have a much stricter “standard of proof” when exams are scheduled or when assignments are due (see Exams below).
Attendance involves more than simply coming to class. It also is very important that you arrive to class on time. It is extremely rude and disruptive to come into class late. Just as you are expected to arrive at work on time, you also are expected to arrive to class on time. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of class. If you are not present at that time, you will be marked absent; if you arrive after attendance has been taken, you must notify the instructor after class that you were present but tardy. Three tardy arrivals to class will be counted as one unexcused absence. All assignments are due at the beginning of class; work will not be accepted from students arriving to class late.
Finally, when you are in class, after having arrived on time, you should be awake, alert, and prepared to participate. Sleeping and text messaging in class are very disruptive and rude. Students are instructed to turn off cell phone rings while in class and have cell phones completely put away where they cannot be seen or accessed during class. Cell phones should not be on the desk, in your lap, in your hands or anywhere that you can see or touch them. ABSOLUTELY NO TEXTING/SMART PHONE SURFING DURING CLASS!
Think about it. You can text, tweet, check out Facebook, and surf the internet outside of class at no additional cost. However, you are paying hundreds of dollars for the privilege of learning in a class at a university. Why waste that money in this class (or any other class) by playing around on your phone?
±Inclement Weather Policy: If we experience severe weather this season, check the Longwood University web site regarding university hours of operation. Additionally you may tune into local radio and television stations to hear whether the university has closed. If you are a driving commuter student (not one who can easily walk to class) and the university is open, you should use your good judgment and exercise caution in coming to class. If the university remains open but I can’t make it to class, I will post an announcement on Canvas (assuming I have electricity).
±Laptop Use in Class: Unfortunately, due to the behavior of students in previous semesters, I do not permit laptop use in class.
±Exams: Three exams will be given during the semester. The first two exams will contain a combination of multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions. The final exam will be all multiple-choice. The best way to prepare for exams in this course is to: (1) read all of the assigned class material and take reading notes; (2) attend all classes and take thorough, well-organized notes; and (3) begin studying for an exam approximately one week in advance by consolidating and organizing notes.
If you miss an exam due to illness you must: (1) notify the instructor of the illness no later than 24 hours after the exam has been given; (2) provide evidence that you sought medical attention from a health care provider; and (3) make up the exam within one week of the date the exam was originally administered. Other extenuating circumstances that prevent you from taking the exam on the scheduled date will be considered on an individual basis. If you know in advance that you will miss an exam because of an excused absence, please see me so arrangements can be made for you to take the exam early.
± Journal Entries: Throughout the semester you will write a series of essays regarding social problems. Each essay, or “journal entry,” is worth 10 points. The nature of the entry varies from week to week. Some writing assignments allow you to engage in pure personal reflection, whereas others require you to conduct research. The journal assignments are generally due on the Friday of the week before we will be discussing the topic related to the assignment. This allows me return your graded entries to you to have in class the week we are discussing the journal topic; your journal reflections and insights will be used to inform and enhance class discussion. Each journal assignment, along with the due date, is described on the Course/Assignment schedule below.
Journal entries must be written in grammatically correct Standard English; they must be thoughtful and well-organized and demonstrate effort and ability at a college level. Entries that require outside research must use APA citation style to document the origin of the information you obtained. All journal entries must be entirely in your own words; you may not quote ANY information from ANY source in ANY writing assignment. Journal entries will be submitted in HARD COPY at the beginning of the class period that they are due. All entries must meet the minimum length requirement for the assignment; you may go over if necessary. All entries must use 1” margins on all 4 sides. You do not need a title page; simply put your name at the top of the first page. I expect that the content of journal entries will begin no further down than 1 ½ inches from the top of page one. Use 12 point Times New Roman font; double space. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO WRITE THE ENTRIES.