SOC 3003 is also offered in Fall 2024
SOC 3003 is also offered in Spring 2023
Fall 2024 | SOC 3003 Section 001: Social Problems (32285)
- Instructor(s)
- Class Component:
- Lecture
- Credits:
- 3 Credits
- Grading Basis:
- A-F or Audit
- Instructor Consent:
- No Special Consent Required
- Instruction Mode:
- In Person
- Times and Locations:
Regular Academic Session
Tue,
Thu 01:00PM - 02:15PM
UMTC, West Bank
Blegen Hall 120
- Enrollment Status:
Open (9 of 55 seats filled)
- Also Offered:
- Course Catalog Description:
- In this course, we will engage in a sociological examination of major social problems facing the contemporary US and abroad. We explore the origins and causes of different social problems, seek to understand how they impact individuals, groups, and the society as a whole, and evaluate solutions. We ask how an issue becomes defined as a "social problem," discuss the social construction of reality and deviance, and consider the primary frameworks under which societies have organized their responses to different social problems. prereq: 1001 recommended; soc majors/minors must register A-F
- Class Notes:
- Click this link for more detailed course information:
- Class Description:
- This course is an exploration of how sociologists confront, diagnose, analyze, and theorize contemporary social problems. Some of the topics we will examine include the environment and climate change; socioeconomic inequality and globalization; crime, punishment, and drug abuse; health and medicalization; modernization and rationalization; and the rise (or return) of nationalism and authoritarianism. In our examination of these issues we will tackle some fundamental questions, namely: 1) How and why did sociologists come to see themselves as social pathologists in the first place; 2) what drives society to define these issues as "problems" and what narratives and assumptions emerge in the process; and 3) who lays claim to these problems and how do they mobilize the public to get their message heard? This class is primarily discussion-based with brief introductory lectures; course materials include journal articles, book excerpts, and films. Students will be expected to come to class prepared to participate in and lead discussions, write weekly short (2-3 page) papers, and take a final exam.
- Grading:
- 20% class participation and presentations
20% final exam
60% short papers
- Class Format:
- 30% lecture
35% discussion
35% films and other in-class activities.
- Workload:
- 50-60 pages reading per week
~12-15 pages writing per term
1 exam6 short papers
- Textbooks:
- https://bookstores.umn.edu/course-lookup/32285/1249
- Instructor Supplied Information Last Updated:
- 30 April 2017
ClassInfo Links - Fall 2024 Sociology Classes