SOC& 201 - Social Problems

Credits: 5
Variable Credit Course: No

Lecture Hours: 55
Lab Hours: 0
Worksite/Clinical Hours: 0
Other Hours (LIA/Internships): 0

Course Description: A survey of the major contemporary social problems including crime, violence, drug dependency, mental illness, racism, poverty, inequality, breakdowns in the family, education, and quality of life, and the impact of technology. A variety of sociological perspectives and social policies on social problems are reviewed as well as research methods used in analyzing current social problems.

Prerequisite: ENGL& 101 with a C or higher.
Distribution Requirements:

Social Sciences Distribution Requirement

General Education Requirements:

Fulfills Think General Education Requirement

Meets FQE Requirement: No
Integrative Experience Requirement: No

Student Learning Outcomes

To describe, understand, and explain the concept of “social problems”.
To describe the scope and subject matter of sociologically relevant problem areas.
To develop an understanding of the major concepts and technical language the sociologist employs to describe various social problems.
To understand and explain the principal methods of researching the current major social problems in the U.S.
To describe the various sociological approaches used in analyzing the current major social problems in the U.S.
To learn an appreciation of the complexity of social policies used in addressing social problems publicly.
To express and develop writing skills through a series of graded exercises and written exams.
To develop cooperative and verbal skills through classroom discussion on a variety of social problem areas; and as well as writing skills.
To develop oral presentation skills on a social problem topic.
SOCIAL SCIENCES: Explain the variables that influence the structure of cultures and societies.

Course Contents

A constant scrutiny about what constitutes a social problem, i.e., how do you know a social problem when you see it
An attention to the basic building blocks in the study of social problems and the methods used in studying them
A focus on diversity issues and how social problems may affect different social groups in different ways
An attention to the various sociological approaches and theories of social problems with a special emphasis on critical thinking and the exploration of hidden values, biases, and assumptions that are a part of social problems analysis
Applied work in a variety of critical approaches emphasizing the importance of social contexts in understanding and interpreting social problems
Discussion of articles and sociological relevant data that describe specific social problem areas
Understanding the various linkages and connection between social problem areas, i.e., how one social problem is connected to the other social problems in society

Instructional Units: 5