Professor Robert F. Butler

SOCIAL PROBLEMS

SPRING 2015

T/H 11:00 – 12:20

Professor Robert F. Butler

Office: A171

Phone: 595-7528

Email:

Course

Description:

This course is designed to acquaint students with the causes, consequences and solutions surrounding current social problems in the United States. Special emphasis on critical thinking abilities in evaluating causes, effects, and various approaches in dealing with social problems. Some problems that we will cover along with others are wealth & power, demographic changes, poverty, racial & ethnic inequality, gender inequality, crime, drugs, families and plans to solve social problems.

Course

Objectives:

1. Understand the different ways social problems have been studied.

2. To explore social problems which affect individual well being.

3. To examine social problems arising from human diversity.

4. To study a sample of problems arising from inequality and power.

5. To demonstrate competency in the core sociological concepts.

Required Text:

Social Problems 2nd edition, Joel Best

Course Learning Activities:

Regular attendance at scheduled class meetings.
Participation in class discussions and activities.
Successful completion of assignments.

Evaluation Method:

Attendance is strongly encouraged since questions will be drawn from lectures, class discussions and quest lectures as well as reading assignments. Course work will be measured in terms of quality of contents, precise use of the English language and overall class participation.

Class Conduct:

Attendance will be recorded at all class sessions. Students are responsible for making sure that they have been recorded as present. You are responsible for all material covered in class, including announcements made, information disseminated during lecture, all discussions we have as a group, and any films/videos presented during class. As such, it is imperative that your attendance is consistent. Circumstances beyond your control do sometimes happen; as such you may miss one (1) class during the semester without penalty. However, subsequent absences will affect the final course grade. There are NO exceptions to this policy, unless you have a VERIFIABLE emergency and we work something out. If you are absent due to medical reasons, you will need to provide a doctor’s note.
Sociology courses necessitate social interaction; therefore it is important that you participate in discussion. Each student is expected to be an informed participant. Be sure to keep abreast of local, national, and global developments as they will aid your understanding of the material covered in the course and allow you to witness these issues in the real social world.
Assignments are to be submitted during class on the date due. No electronic submissions will be accepted. If students hand in an assignment late, they will automatically lose points from their assignment grade. As a rule, assignments that are one day late will be lowered five (5) points. Assignments that are two days late will be marked down ten points. Assignments will not be accepted after the second day.
Course Withdrawals and Incompletes: Incompletes will only be given in the cases of VERIFIABLE emergencies. If students are not doing well in the course, they have the responsibility of formally withdrawing from the course. Students who do not formally withdraw from the course, but stop attending class and do not complete scheduled assignments will receive a failing grade (F) in the course.
Concerns about the Course: If you have concerns about the course (grade-related or otherwise), you should arrange to speak with me immediately and directly about your concerns, during my office hours. However, class time will NOT be used to discuss your course concerns.
Academic Dishonesty: Dishonesty in any form including, but not limited to plagiarism, turning in assignments prepared by others, copying work of others (with or without their permission), and unauthorized possession of exams may result in the student receiving an “F” and possible suspension from the College.
You are expected to be on time, prepared for class with notebooks, writing equipment, etc. at the time the class begins. Consistent tardiness will result in a conference with the instructor and appropriate action will be taken.
You may bring drink to class, but please clean up after yourself!
Cell phones and other electronic devices MUST be turned off during class.
READ THE CHAPTERS AND ALL ASSIGNMENTS. BE AN ENGAGED RESPONSIBLE COLLEGE STUDENT.

Grading:

Four Social Problems Perspectives quiz = 50 points

Attendance and in-class discussion = 50 points

Questions from chapters two through ten = 100 points
Social Problem in Tulsa paper and discussion = 100 points

Media presentation of a current social problem = 50 points

Fixing America = 200 points!

550 -500 = A

499 - 449 = B

448 - 398 = C

397 – 347 = D

346 & below = F

“I prayed for freedom for twenty years, but received no answer until I prayed with my legs”

Frederick Douglas

GENERAL OUTLINE:

Week one and two - Four perspectives on Social Problems – handout from professor and in-class essay over four perspectives – 50 points

Week three -Chapter One, The Social Problem Process
Week four - Chapter Two, Claims
Week five – Chapter Three,Activists as Claimsmaker
Week six – Student articles
Week seven – Chapter Four – Experts as Claimsmakers
Week eight – Chapter Five, The Media and Claims
Week nine – Chapter Six, Public Reactions
Week ten - Social Problems in Our Community – paper due and in-class discussion – 100 points
SPRING BREAK
Week eleven – Chapter Seven, Policymaking
Week twelve – Chapter Eight, Social Problems Work
Week thirteen – Chapter Nine, Policy Outcomes – in class student articles – 25 points
Week fourteen – Chapter Ten, Claims across Space and Time
Week fifteen – Chapter Eleven – The Uses of the Constructionist Stance
Week sixteen – Solving a Social Problem in America paper due and in-class discussion – 200 points

“Students must have initiative; they should not be mere imitators. They must learn to think and act for themselves – and be free”

Cesar Chavez

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