Social
Problems (CRN 21907, SOCI1306-101)
Spring,
2010
INSTRUCTOR:� William Johnson
�OFFICE:� Wharton Campus, S 203 A
�������������� ���Phone 281-804-1131 (cell)
REQUIRED
TEXT: Mooney, Knox, Schacht,�
Understanding Social Problems,� sixth edition, 2009
1) COURSE DESCRIPTION:� This course is designed to give the student an
overview and in depth knowledge of various social problems effecting both the
world and American culture. Specific knowledge areas include and are not
limited to problems related to health, education, family, marriage, race,
aging, and the environment.
COURSE
OBJECTIVES:� By the end of this course,
the student should be able to:
1) �compare and contrast the three sociological
perspectives and apply these to the etiology and possible resolution of
specific social problems
2) �Understand social structure and how it applies
to dealing with social problems such as health care, aging, poverty (etc.)
3) identify the effects of
marriage and divorce on family members,
4) identify sex and gender inequalities
and their impact societies worldwide
5) explain the relationship between
globalization and the environment.
MEETING
TIMES:� This course will meet on Tuesday
and Thursday, 10:40 am , to 12:05pm on the Wharton
Campus in Science 122.
EVALUATION
PROCESS:�
a) There will be 4 objective
examinations during the semester. Each examination will apply to 20% of the
student�s grade. The 4th examination will be comprehensive, applying
to the content covered throughout the semester. Examinations will be announced
at least one week ahead of time. There will be no makeup examinations
offered without prior approval from the instructor.� The nature of the examinations will be
multiple-choice, true-false, and fill in the blank questions. There will not be
essay questions on these tests.
b) There will be an essay paper
assigned during the semester to each student and due at the end of the semester
related to a self chosen social problem topic. This essay paper will be worth
20% of the student�s grade.� The
specifics requirements for this paper will be defined as the semester
progresses and no later than mid term.�
ATTENDANCE
POLICY:� Attendance will be taken during
the semester.� 4 absences throughout the
semester will be allowed before a complete grade reduction will take place.
CHEATING:� Cheating is a
prevalent problem on college campuses nationwide. The operational definition
of cheating as applied to this course is as follows:� while taking an examination, information
is obtained from another student or from material that a student brings to
class on his/her person.� �If cheating occurs and is documented by the
instructor, the person or persons involved will receive a �0� on the test
involved.
HANDOUTS:
There may be periodic handouts throughout the semester to supplement the text
and its material.� If these occur, THEY
WILL BE VERY IMPORTANT IN RELATION TO MATERIAL THAT WILL APPEAR ON
EXAMINATIONS.
DROP
DATE: The last day for dropping this course is April 16, 2010.
COURSE OUTLINE� (subject to change upon instructor announcement
in class)
Test #1
Thinking About Social
Problems (Chapter 1)
Problems of Illness and
Health (Chapter 2)
Alcohol and other Drugs� (Chapter 3)
Test #2
Family Problems (Chapter 5)
Problems in Education
(Chapter 8)
Gender Inequality (Chapter
10)
Problems of Youth and Aging
(Chapter 12)
Test #3
Issues of Sexual Orientation
(Chapter 11)
Environmental Problems
(Chapter 14)
Race, Ethnicity, and
Immigration (Chapter 9)
Conflict, War, and Terrorism
(Chapter 16)
Essay Paper�
Topic to be student selected
Due date will be toward end
of semester (specific date to be defined)
Test #4
Comprehensive final exam,
covering content and material from the semester
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This
course will attempt to cover these chapters. If time permits, the instructor
may assign additional chapters. �If time does
not permit or if there are scheduling disruptions, the instructor will
determine which chapters are addressed or not addressed. This process and
any/all important dates will be clearly communicated in class to the students
if changes are made.
It
is highly recommended that the chapters be read prior to discussion in class.
This recommendation is based on the fact that retention of material in memory
is best accomplished the second time the material is rehearsed.� If the student has read the material ahead of
time, the when the material is covered in class discussion, it will be more
readily retained in the memory of the student.
I
look forward to working with you this semester and hope we can enjoy and learn
the material in this course on understanding Social Problems.