SOC 4 - Modern Social Problems

Transfer Status

CSU/UC

Unit(s)

3.00

• Lecture: 51.00 Contact hours/102.00 Out of class hours/153.00 Total hours/3.00 Unit(s)
• Total: 51.00 Contact hours/102.00 Out of class hours/153.00 Total hours/3.00 Unit(s)

Course Description: An identification and analysis of contemporary social problems including (1) the role of power and ideology in the definition of social problems, (2) their causes and consequences, (3) evaluations of proposed solutions, and (4) methods of intervention. Topics will vary. (C-ID SOCI 115).

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Demonstrate understanding of major social problems concerning the U.S.
2. Place local, regional and national social problems in global context.
3. Identify and distinguish between causes and consequences of social problems.
4. Analyze social problems using sociological approaches and concepts.
5. Analyze and interpret both quantitative and qualitative information about social problems.
6. Identify and evaluate policies that address social problems and assess the policies' impact on society.

Topic Titles / Suggested Time Topic

Lecture

1. Class Activities
2. Discussion
3. Guest Speakers
4. Homework: Students are required to complete two hours of outside-of-class homework for each hour of lecture
5. Lecture
6. Reading Assignments

1. Quizzes
2. Homework
3. Class participation
4. Final Examination
5. Written Assignments
6. Mid-term and final examinations
7. On written assignments, students will be required to produce a minimum of 1,500 words.

Reading Assignments

1. Read the handout on the Ecological Footprint of the war in Afghanistan. Compare and contrast the social and human cost of life with previous warfare engagements. Be prepared to discuss in class these events and the cost of warfare.
2. Read the handout, Robert Merton's "Saints and Roughnecks". Utilizing Merton's typology found within your text book, compare and contrast the relative deviance of each group of juveniles. Be prepared to discuss in class the social, political and economic differences between the groups.

Writing Assignments

1. Write a 5 page essay detailing the top 5 social problems you believe we will have to face this decade. Compare and contrast your choices with the previous decade. Include how and why you chose those 5 social problems and defend your choices. Cite relevant references at the end of your paper. Be prepared to discuss in class.
2. Write a 3-5 page paper outlining the BRICS Trade Cooperative, and provide a list of other nations that have filled out applications to join the BRICS nations. What are the possible geopolitical and global economic outcomes of this shift in the balance of global power.  Cite appropriate references at the end of your paper and give examples of each perspective. Be prepared to discuss in class.

Out-of-Class Assignments

1. Interview two people born before 1940 and two people born after 1980 about their participation in civic life.  Ask each to provide examples of their own participation in civic life and what motivated these actions.  Ask each interviewee of each age group the difference between civic participation and consumerism and the connection of both to democracy.  Finally how each interviewee views the efficacy and the future of participatory democracy in the United States? Be prepared to discuss in class.
2. Keep track of all the food you eat for a week. Provide an analysis of where your food comes from in the context of centralized vs. localized food systems. Discuss the pros and cons of both systems in class.

Eitzen, Smith, Baca-Zinn. (2021). Social Problems. Pearson, 14th. 9780137528035.

Robbins, R. (2021). Global Problems and the Culture of Capitalism. Pearson, 7th. 9780134732794.

Henslin, James. (2021). Social Problems: A Down to Earth Approach. Prentice Hall, 13th ed. 9780137585199.

Leon-Guerrero, Anna. (2022). Social Problems: Community, Policy, and Social Action. Sage Publications, 7th. 9781071813584.

Other Learning Materials

Handouts and library assignments as appropriate.

Sociology (Masters Required)