SOC& 201: Social Problems

Class Program
Distribution
Social Science
Credits 5 Lecture Hours 55
A sociological analysis of the major social problems facing both the United States and the world today. Among the topics analyzed are: Family and disorganization, social deviance, poverty, crime, over population, and environmental degradation. (Formerly: SOC 270).

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites. Strongly recommended completion of MATH 094/MAP 117 or a higher placement and completion of ENGL 098 or a higher placement.
Quarters Offered
Fall,
Spring
Course Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to demonstrate the following knowledge or skills:

  1. Recognize, explain and apply key concepts and terms introduced in both the text and in class discussions.
  2. Recognize, explain and apply the three major theoretical frames used throughout the course.
  3. Recognize and explain the complex dimensions and relativity of defining a “social problem.”
  4. Recognize and explain the major social problems raised in class discussions and texts.
  5. Recognize, explain, and wonder about the possible solutions to the various social problems addressed in class.
  6. Recognize, explain and apply the relationship between individual issues and larger societal issues.
Institutional Outcomes
IO1 Communication: Students will be able to communicate clearly and effectively.
IO3 Human Relations/Workplace Skills: Students will be able to demonstrate teamwork, ethics, appropriate safety awareness and/or workplace specific skills.
Course Content Outline
  1. Understanding Social Problems
  2. Poverty
  3. Racial and Ethnic Inequality
  4. Gender Inequality
  5. Sexual Orientation and Inequality
  6. Aging and Ageism
  7. Alcohol and other Drugs
  8. Crime and Criminal Justice
  9. Work and the Economy
  10. Health and Health Care
  11. Urban and Rural Problems
  12. Population and the Environment
  13. War and Terrorism
Department Guidelines

PO4 should be assessed: Students will be able to recognize or articulate personal/interpersonal aspects of, or connections between, diverse cultural, social, or political contexts.

PO5 should be assessed: Students will be able to solve problems by gathering, interpreting, combining and/or applying information from multiple sources.