Dr. John Ambenge
SOCI 103 SOCIAL PROBLEMS Summer 2007
CRN 2066 3 CREDITS
Description: A systematic analysis of major contemporary social problems. Some of the topics to be covered include mental illness, crime, poverty, racial and ethnic conflicts, gender inequality, age and aging, family and violence, alcohol and drug abuse, with emphasis on their origins. This course is recommended as the introductory course for students who have an interest to major in sociology or social work.
Course Objectives:
As a Diversity Course, it is expected that students will able to:
a) State the sociological definition of a social problem and distinguish between subjective awareness and objective reality of social problems.
b) Explain how age, gender, household composition, race,
and ethnicity relate to the likelihood of a person living in poverty in the
c) State the individual, cultural, and structural explanations of poverty, and explain why sociologists prefer the structural explanations.
d) Compare and contrast the experiences of Native
Americans, African Americans, Latino Americans, and Asian Americans in the
e) Discuss the gender division of paid work and its effect on women in the work force.
f) Define ageism and state why it is considered a social problem.
g) Understand sexual orientation and explain how religion and law influence peoples beliefs about homosexuality.
h) Discuss the four categories of peoples reactions to pornography, incorporating research as to whether or not pornography contributes to sexual violence.
i) Compare and contrast biological, psychological, and sociological perspectives on alcohol and drug addiction.
j) Define, and distinguish between (a) violent crime and property crime, and (b) occupational and corporate crime and discuss some of the characteristics of parents who abuse their children.
k) Explain how race, class, and gender affect health care
in the
l) Discuss the major problems in
education in the
Course Requirements and Evaluation Methods:
a) Weekly discussions posted on the Discussion Board = 20%.
b) Weekly Glossary Quizzes = 20%
c) Tests (2) = 40%
d) Final Exam = 20%
Total =100%
Grading System:
95 - 100 = A
90 94 = A-
87 89 = B+
84 86 = B
80 83 = B-
77 79 = C+
74 76 = C
70 73 = C-
67 69 = D+
64 66 = D
60 63 = D-
Below 60 = F
Textbook: Macionis,
John J. 2007. Social problems, 3rd edition, Pearson Prentice hall:
WEEKLY DISCUSSIONS:
Weekly contributions will be closed after 7 pm on Sunday. Any responses arriving thereafter will not be grade.
SCORES: The maximum a student can earn on any discussion is 5 points. But nobody will earn maximum points for less than 5 responses on each topic. To determine how scoring is done, please read the instructions.
Withdrawal from Courses: A student who wishes to withdraw from the course must obtain a withdrawal form from the Records Office, fill in and sign the form, obtain the signature of the course instructor and return the completed form to the Records Office. Please dont ask me over the phone or via email to withdraw you from my class. It is your responsibility to do so by observing the protocol.
READING & ASSIGNMENTS
06/18 06/24 Chapter 1: Studying social problems
Chapter 2: Poverty & Wealth
06/25 07/01 Chapter 3: Racial & Ethnic Inequalities
Chapter 4: Gender Inequalities
06/25 07/01 TEST 1
07/02 07/08 Chapter 5: Aging & Inequality
Chapter 6: Crime & Criminal Justice
07/09 07/15 Chapter 7: Violence
Chapter 8: Sexuality
07/09 07/15 TEST 2
07/16 07/22 Chapter 9: Alcohol & Other Drugs
Chapter 10: Physical& Mental Illness
07/23 07/29 Chapter 11: Economy & Politics
Chapter 12: Work & The Workplace
07/30 08/02 FINAL EXAM