Course Prefix/Number: SOSC 220
Course Title: Social Problems
Division: Liberal Arts
Program: Social Science
Credit Hours: Three
Initiation/Revised Date: Fall 2004
CLASSIFICATION OF INSTRUCTION
This course is a sociological analysis of selected social problems.
Mooney, Linda A., David Knox, and Caroline Schacht. 2002. Understanding
Social Problems, Third Edition.
1.
Foundations of Social Problems
a.
Distinguish social problems from
personal problems.
b.
Compare and contrast the major
theoretical perspectives in relation to social problems.
c.
Identify and describe research
methods and ethical issues.
2.
Social Problems: Political and
Economic
a.
Evaluate major economic systems
in historical and cross-cultural perspectives.
b.
Analyze and construct models of
power and authority.
c.
Describe the relationship between
political and economic systems.
3.
Social Structure and Social
Inequality: Distribution of Wealth,
Income, and Power
a.
Describe the impact of social
stratification systems and social class
b.
Explain prejudice and discrimination
related to
i.
Race and ethnicity
ii.
Gender, sex, and sexual
orientation
iii.
Age
c.
Describe how education impacts
social inequality
4.
Relationships Among Social
Institutions
a.
Analyze the changes in families
that lead to social problems
b.
Describe problems associated with
the criminal justice systems
c.
Examine access and barriers to
health care systems
d.
Assess the opportunities and
limitations of the educational system
5.
Social Change
a.
Analyze the social impact of
population growth and the environment
b.
Explain how participation in
collective action and social movements contributes to both the cause and
alleviation of social problems.
Problems of the Economy
Problems of Government
Problems of Education
Problems of the Family
The Poor
Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Health and Illness
The Old and the Young
Men and Women
Unit III - Conformity and Deviance
Sexual Behavior
Drug Use
Crime and Violence
Problems of Global Inequality
Population
Environment
Warfare and International Conflict
All materials subject to examination are covered in class. Textbook information specifically identified become class notes and are subject to testing. Chapters do not contribute equal amounts of information; therefore, students should read for content only for examination purposes.
Instruction consists of lectures, combined with extensive use of the blackboard and overheads. Lecture notes are on reserve in the library. Students will be required to use library and computer resources to research specific aspects of presented social problems and are required to develop and present results of research activities to the class. On occasion, handouts will be provided to students to clarify concepts, not otherwise outlined in the lecture notes.
Various opportunities will be provided to students to earn bonus points that will be applied to the final grade score. It will be possible for a student to receive more than 100% of the total possible points for the course.
Exam review sessions will be provided prior to each unit exam.
Grades will be determined as a percentage of all possible points a student may earn. Points are earned in the following ways.
4 Exams @ 100 points each 400
Presentations 4 200
Total 600
Tests are assigned on a unit basis. Tests are composed of multiple choice, short answer/fill in the blank, and short essay questions. Arrangements for taking tests at alternate times must be initiated by the student and permission will be granted at the discretion of the instructor.
GRADING SCALE
Absences
that occur due to students participating in official college activities are
excused except in those cases where outside bodies, such as the State Board of
Nursing, have requirements for minimum class minutes for each student. Students
who are excused will be given reasonable opportunity to make up any missed work
or receive substitute assignments from the instructor and should not be
penalized for the absence. Proper
procedure should be followed in notifying faculty in advance of the student’s
planned participation in the event.
Ultimately it is the student’s responsibility to notify the instructor
in advance of the planned absence.
Unless
students are participating in a school activity or are excused by the instructor, they are expected to attend
class. If a student’s absences exceed
one-hundred (100) minutes per credit
hour for the course or, in the case
of on-line or other non-traditional courses, the student is inactive for
one-eighth of the total course duration, the instructor has the right, but is
not required, to withdraw a student from the course. Once the student has been dropped for
excessive absences, the registrar’s office will send a letter to the student,
stating that he or she has been dropped.
A student may petition the chief academic officer for reinstatement by
submitting a letter stating valid reasons for the absences within one week of
the registrar’s notification. If the
student is reinstated into the class, the instructor and the registrar will be
notified.
Academic Integrity
NCCC expects
every student to demonstrate ethical behavior with regard to academic
pursuits. Academic integrity in
coursework is a specific requirement.
Definitions, examples, and possible consequences for violations of
Academic Integrity, as well as the appeals process, can be found in the College
Catalog, Student Handbook, and/or Code of Student Conduct and Discipline.
Cell Phone Policy
Student cell phones and pagers must be turned off during class times. Faculty may approve an exception for special circumstances.
Pre-tests and post-tests will be administered for each course unit. The pre-test will be comprised of 10-15 objective questions regarding major elements of each chapter of the text. Primarily, questions will be definitional in nature. Pre-test questions or derivatives of pre-test questions will be included in unit exams. Assessment of answers between pre-test and post-test responses will be used to measure student gain.
Note:
Information and statements in this document are subject to change at the discretion of NCCC. Changes will be published in writing and made available to students.
NOTE: If you are a student with a disability who may need
accommodation(s) under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please notify
the Director of Advising and Counseling,
Chanute Campus, Student Union, 620-431-2820 ext 280 or the Dean, Ottawa Campus, 785-242-2607
ext 312, as soon as possible. You
will need to bring your documentation for review in order to determine
reasonable accommodations, and then we can assist you in arranging any
necessary accommodations.