Course Syllabus

SOC 1020 Modern Social Problems

Course Description

SOC 1020 is a contemporary study of social problems in society. Origins, challenges, and possible solutions connected to problematic and controversial societal issues will be examined critically using sociological perspectives, concepts, methods, and theories. Special emphasis will be placed on understanding and linking causes and effects of wider social forces and problems to personal life experiences. General education credit and variable credit may be earned. To fulfill Social Science general education requirements, the class must be taken for 3 credits; however 1-2 variable elective credits are offered for exigent circumstances.

Justification

This course is designed as an in-depth examination of problems in modern society using introductory sociological perspectives and concepts. A lower division sociology course in social problems is offered at every USHE institution. SOC 1020 satisfies the Social Science (SS) requirement for General Education at Snow College and is a major requirement for sociology majors. It will transfer as general education, elective, or major credit.

General Education Outcomes

1. A student who completes the GE curriculum has a fundamental knowledge of human cultures and the natural world. Sociology emphasizes the study of the culturally diverse norms, values, beliefs, and traditions that make up the larger society. Contemporary social problems are inextricably linked to these aspects of culture. Students can expect to read class material and discuss these concepts, applying social/cultural knowledge and awareness to sociological subjects and social problems and linking them to personal life experiences. Expression of this understanding and knowledge will be asked of students in writing projects, quizzes, and/or exams.
2. A student who completes the GE curriculum can read and research effectively within disciplines. Class topics and sociological subjects regarding modern social problems will be based on textbook readings and other source materials that are assigned to develop reading comprehension and research skills. Class quizzes, exams, and essay work will provide students the chance to demonstrate their understanding of sociological topics and ability to research relevant content.
3. A student who completes the GE curriculum can draw from multiple disciplines to address complex problems. Sociology, with its emphasis on human groups and social organization allows students to use multiple disciplines to analyze and address social issues and problems. Drawing from politics, economics, history, psychology, human development, etc., students in this course will address relevant social issues and social problems in quizzes, exams, and written work.
4. A student who completes the GE curriculum can reason analytically, critically, and creatively. Sociology and the study of social problems asks students to think critically about their place in culture and the social world around them. It promotes assessment of objective sources of information and ethical scientific methodologies. Class discussion and relevant readings will provide the basis for exercises in sociological thinking and analysis and will be evaluated in class discussion, essay projects, quizzes and/or exams.

General Education Knowledge Area Outcomes

1. Students will become knowledgeable about underlying factors that affect social structure (i.e., cultural, economic, political, etc.) and the culturally significant institutions and processes that change over time and influence social behavior. Through class discussion, written projects, quizzes and/or exams, students will be able to communicate their understanding of these sociological concepts and relevancy to modern social problems.  Students will become knowledgeable about underlying factors that affect social structure (i.e., cultural, economic, political, etc.) and the culturally significant institutions and processes that change over time and influence social behavior. Through class discussion, written projects, quizzes and/or exams, students will be able to communicate their understanding of these sociological concepts and relevancy to modern social problems.
2. Develop and communicate hypothetical explanations for individual human behavior within the large-scale historical or social context. Sociological theories and concepts will allow students to recognize the diverse influences and cultural perspectives that shape human thought and behavior. Written projects, quizzes, and/or exams will provide opportunities to demonstrate knowledge and explanations for patterned behavior and evaluate how the violation of social norms affects society and contemporary social problems.
3. Draw on the social and behavioral sciences to evaluate contemporary problems using social science research methodology. Students will be exposed to sociological methods and theories and will use both micro and macro levels of analysis to analyze and interpret current social issues, controversies, and problems. Through class discussion, quizzes and/or exams students will demonstrate their ability to think critically about local, national, and global challenges.
4. Describe and analytically compare social, political, economic, cultural, geographical, and historical settings and processes other than one’s own. Students will be exposed in readings and class discussion to a variety of current and historical social settings and processes that will challenge their assumptions and experiences regarding cultural controversies and social issues. A major goal of sociology is to identify and increase awareness of wider social forces outside the individual and link those to personal experiences. Careful analysis of these links and social conditions will be displayed on student writing projects, quizzes and/or exams.
5. Explain and use the social-scientific method to test research questions and draw conclusions. Students will explore sociological theories and methodologies comparing social problems and analyzing social institutions and patterned behavior. Textbook study and additional readings will allow an examination of alternative theoretical perspectives, case studies, and opinions. Class discussion, quizzes and/or exams, will provide students an opportunity to display their ability to synthesize sociological findings into clear and well-reasoned arguments and empirical conclusions.
6. Write effectively within the social science discipline, using correct disciplinary guidelines, to analyze, interpret, and communicate about social science phenomena. Students will be able to understand sociological perspectives, principles, and contemporary social problems, and communicate their opinions, analysis, and research on these topics. Essay projects and written work assessed on quizzes and/or exams will demonstrate this competency.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Students will be able to (cognitively, verbally, and in written form) identify, understand, and apply the major theories and sociological concepts related to contemporary social problems and issues.
2. Students will gain an understanding and knowledge of the research methods used by sociologists and other social and behavioral scientists to discover, describe, explain and predict social problems.
3. Students will be abler to understand, apply. and articulate how their own personal life experiences relate to the larger causes and effects of broader cultural social problems.

Course Content

Modern Social Problems is a course that focuses on social problems in relation to various and wider societal forces and personal experiences that define and influence our world today. Through lecture, class discussion, writing assignments, quizzes and exams, students will examine modern social problems using sociological theoretical perspectives. Topics will include but are not limited to: theoretical interpretation and research methodology of social problems, poverty & wealth, racial/ethnic inequality, aging and ageism, substance abuse, violence, crime and the criminal justice system, health and health care, family, urbanization and population and the environment, and war and terrorism.