Social Problems (Sociology 202)
Frank Ha, PhD
Fall 2010
Phone: (805)
546-3100 ext. 2679
Email:
fha@cuesta.edu
Web page:
academic.cuesta.edu/fha
Office: Building 6200, Room 6213
Office hours: MW 11:00 am to 12:30 pm, TR 9:30 am to 10:30
am, and by appointment
Required
materials
There are two texts required for this course.
Mooney, Linda
A., et al. 2011. Understanding Social Problems. 7th
ed. Belmont, California: Wadsworth.
Charon, Joel and Lee Vigilant.
2009. Social Problems Readings with Four Questions. 3rd
ed. Belmont, California: Wadsworth.
The texts are available at the campus
bookstore. Both books are required. Here is a link to the package at
the bookstore:
http://bookstore.cuesta.org/buy_book_detail.asp?mscssid=F8B75A4EA0B94D55B862EC5CBA815D14&pf_id=10325032.
Course
description
Examines current social problems and the sociological
concepts, theories, and methods used in their analysis. Emphasis is
on the role of power and ideology in the definition of social
problems, the causes and consequences of social problems, and the
methods of intervention. Topics include crime, poverty, gender
inequality, race/ethnic inequality, and family problems.
Outcomes and
objectives:
Upon completion of the course the student will be able to:
1. Explain the distinctiveness of the sociological approach in
understanding social problems.
2. Discuss and demonstrate how social problems are influenced by
macro features of society—societal patterns and institutions—and
micro features of society—interaction.
3. Identify how social construction is a feature of social problems.
4. Apply and compare the various theories that are used in analyzing
social problems.
5. Describe how social science research has been used to study
social problems.
6. Describe the characteristics of specific social problems such as
race/ethnic inequality, gender inequality, class inequality,
inequality due to sexual orientation, prostitution, pornography,
abuse of alcohol and other drugs, crime, violence, environmental
problems, war, and terrorism. Discuss the types and extent, the
causes, the consequences, possible solutions, and the politics
surrounding them.
7. Describe the characteristics of specific problems associated with
topics such as aging, the criminal justice system, the family, work,
government, education, and health care. Discuss the types and
extent, the causes, the consequences, possible solutions, and the
politics surrounding them.
8. Discuss and demonstrate how social problems are shaped by
inequalities of race, class, and gender.
9. Explain the significance of past and present racism in
understanding race and ethnic inequality.
10. Explain the significance of sexism, the traditional female role,
socialization, and social institutions in understanding gender
inequality.
11. Discuss and demonstrate the ways in which societal patterns and
social institutions perpetuate poverty and economic inequality.
12. Explain how both the attitudes toward the poor and attitudes of
the poor contribute to the perpetuation of poverty.
13. Examine and demonstrate at least two ways individuals contribute
to race, class, and gender inequality by their everyday behavior.
Course
requirements
There are 100 points possible in this course. The points
are distributed as follows:
Midterm 1 = 19 points
Midterm 2 = 19
Midterm 3 = 19
Midterm 4 = 19
Final = 19
Research paper = 19
The lowest scoring item will be dropped. If you
do not take an exam or do the research paper, your grade will be
based on the five items you completed plus your discussion
participation score.
Discussion = 5
Total points possible in course = 100
Grading
At the end of the semester, after weighting your exam
scores (for example, if there are 50 points possible on midterm 1,
your score is divided by 50 and multiplied by 19 to get a weighted
score), adding them together and including class participation
points, the scale below will be used to compute your final course
grade.
A
93 and above
B
80 to 92
C
67 to 79
D 55
to 66
F
54 and below
A correction factor may be
added to an exam to account for its level of difficulty. Also, I
reserve the right to modify the grade scale when computing final
letter grades to account for the level of difficulty of the course.
I will not modify the scale to your disadvantage.
Exams
Most exams will be a combination of multiple
choice and essay (either take-home or in-class). The final is not
cumulative. Questions will be based primarily on the Mooney
et al. textbook, articles in the Charon and Vigilant reader,
articles on the internet (see schedule), lectures, and videos.
You will need a half-sheet Scantron form (Scantron
Form 882) for all exams, and a blue book if there is an in-class
essay. You can make up one exam with a reasonable excuse
(e.g., sickness, personal problems, work related, family related).
You cannot make up the final exam or more than one exam except under
truly exceptional circumstances. You must make up the missed exam as
soon as you are able.
Writing assignments
All take-home essays must be turned in through
Turnitin.com. Here are the instructions:
Step 1. Go to
Turnitin.com
Step 2. Read the
Student Quickstart Guide
Step 3. Follow the instructions and submit your paper.
Your class id is 3371552 and your
password is fall2010. Your paper must be typed and
double-spaced.
Discussion
Participation in class discussions and other activities is worth
five points, with the possibility of up to five extra credit points
to students that come to class prepared to discuss the assigned
readings for that day. Students are encouraged to respond to my
comments or comments made by other students. Please refer to the
syllabus and the announcements that I make in class so that you will
know what reading we will be discussing in class on any given day.
If you are interested in the extra credit participation points, it
is critical that you come to class prepared.
Etiquette
Please display respect and tolerance for everyone in this
class. Insulting, disrespectful, or impolite comments are
prohibited. If someone makes a comment that you disagree with,
attack the argument, not the person making the argument. As your
instructor, I will make every effort to make this class a safe
environment for all students. Also, please do not come in late,
leave early, talk with your neighbor, sleep, or study for this class
or another class. If you cannot refrain from these behaviors, please
don't come to class.
Academic
integrity
Cheating is absolutely not tolerated. You
are encouraged to study together for the exams. You are encouraged
to discuss take-home essays with others, but you cannot work on the
essay together. Take-home essays should be written completely
independently.
Also, asking someone who has taken an exam before you have about the
content of the exam, for example, if there is an essay on the exam
or not, or receiving information about an exam that you have not yet
taken is prohibited. For more information on the college's policy
regarding cheating refer to the Cuesta College Catalog.
Students with disabilities
Students with disabilities, whether physical, learning,
or psychological, who believe that they need accommodations in this
class are encouraged to contact Disabled Student Programs and
Services (DSPS) or the instructor as soon as possible to ensure that
such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion. The DSPS
phone number is 546-3148, and they are located in the
Academic
Support
Center, Building 3300.
Course schedule
(see Syllabus, Part 2)
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