SOC 3500: Social Problems

Instructor: Dr. Ned Rinalducci
Office: 217 University Hall
Email: rinaldne@mail.armstrong.edu
 Phone: (912) 961-3168

 

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS  Soroka, Michael P. and Bryjak, George J., 1999.  Social Problems:  A World at Risk.  Second Edition.  Allyn and Bacon.


COURSE LEARNING GOALS/OBJECTIVES To help students gain an understanding of the causes of social problems, of how social problems are defined, and of how the social sciences and sociology, in particular, can help us address these problems.

This course will help you to look beyond the mundane - and to see the underlying social structures that have such a great influence on our society and on us all.
POLICIES Class attendance is expected. The exams will consist of a great deal of material not included in the text book, so attendance is strongly recommended. In addition, pop quizzes will be given sporadically during the quarter for extra credit.
EXAMS There will be three exams made up primarily of multiple choice and short answer questions.
RESEARCH SUMMARY* To gain a better understanding of sociological research on social problems, a two-three (2-3) page summary of a recent (1995 and later) academic article or study will be due early on in the course.  The article should come out of an academic sociology journal.  Good examples are Social Problems and The American Sociological Review, both of which are available from our library.  Your summary should discuss the use of theory, hypotheses, and methodology, as well as the results.
FINAL PAPER* You will have a choice about the type of final paper that will be due two weeks before the final exam:
  • The first is a standard research oriented term paper.  It should be 7-8 pages, typed, double spaced, and deal with a contemporary social problem. The paper should be based upon library research and should contain at least eight (8) sources (five (5) of which should be from academic journals or publications).  Please use ASA format for your citations in the text and in your reference section.
  • Your second option is a 3-4 page community service project/paper.  This entails volunteering 15 hours of your time (at any time during the semester), working with a community service-oriented organization in a capacity that will give you hands-on experience with or for people in need.  I will work with you in finding an appropriate project if you cannot find one.  All project must be approved.  Your paper will discuss your experiences and relate them to the sociological perspective and material covered in the course.  The purpose of this assignment is to give you the opportunity to gain applied experience that will be relevant to the course and to promote active citizenship.
* All papers are to be typed, double spaced, with standard margins of no more than one inch top, bottom, left and right.  I also ask that you do not use an inappropriately large font.  The default font of most word processing programs will be fine.  Please staple your paper together at the corner.  Fancy folders and binders look nice, but make grading and sorting more difficult.
GRADES:

A = 90-100
B = 80-89
C = 70-79
D = 60-69
F = < 60

 20% -  Exam 1
20% -  Exam 2
20% -  Exam 3
20% -  Final Paper
12% -  Research Summary
  8% -  Class Participation

 

TENTATIVE READING SCHEDULE 
(Changes and adjustments may be made as the semester progresses)

Week 1:

Introduction 
Chapter 1: The Sociology of Social Problems 

Week 2:
 Chapter 2: Family Disorganization:  Crisis in the Home 
Week 3:
Chapter 3: Drugs, Alcohol, and Gambling:  Taking a Chance 
Week 4:
 Chapter 4:  Health and Health Care:  Paying the Price
Review

TEST ONE 

Week 5:
Chapter 5:  Problems in Education and Work:  Chasing the Dream
Week 6:
Chapter 6:  Inequality and Poverty:  Falling Behind
RESEARCH SUMMARY DUE
Week 7:
Chapter 7:  Problems of Race and Ethnicity:  The Melting Pot Boils Over
Week 8:
Race and Ethnicity continued
 
Chapter 8:  Inequalities of Sex and Gender:  The Longest War
Week 9:
Sex and Gender continued

Review 

TEST TWO
Week 10:
 Chapter 9:  Crime, Violence, and Criminal Justice:  Getting Busted
Week 11:
Crime continued

Chapter 10:  Population Dynamics:  Too Many and Too Few People
Week 12:
Chapter 11:  Environmental Problems:  Trashing the Planet
Week 13:
Chapter 12:  The World at War:  Apocalypse Now

FINAL PAPERS DUE
Week 14:
Paper Discussions 
Week 15:

Wrap Up and Review

TEST THREE