Chabot College
Fall 2002
Replaced Fall 2010
Course Outline for Sociology 2
SOCIAL PROBLEMS
Catalog Description:
2 - Social Problems
3 units
Introduction to social problems common to modern industrial society, and the role of
principal institutions in social organization and social disorganization. Includes crime,
juvenile delinquency, divorce, drug addiction, alcoholism, aging, mental health and
population as well as other areas. Focus on modern American society. Strongly
recommended: Psychology 1 or 50 or Anthropology 3. 3 hours.
[Typical contact hours: 52.5]
Prerequisite Skills:
None.
Expected Outcomes for the Student:
Upon completion of this course the student should be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
explain C.W. Mills' distinction between personal troubles and societal issues;
identify the major sociological theoretical perspectives used to explain social
problems;
identify specific major social problems;
identify factors which transform a condition into a social problem;
explain personal, interpersonal and societal consequences of specific social
problems such as white collar crime, sexual inequality, war and terrorism;
demonstrate an understanding of how social structures facilitate and contribute to
the perpetuation of social problems;
explain how opinions and ideologies shape the definition of a social problem and
society's solution;
discuss major myths associated with specific social problems (i.e. the poor aren't
motivated to work);
describe the characteristics of specific social problems such as family problems,
poverty, substance abuse, crime;
propose viable sociological remedies to address social problems.
Course Content:
1.
2.
3.
Distinguishing between personal troubles and societal issues
The sociological approach to social problems
a.
Definition of social problems
b.
Social organization and disorganization
c.
Methodology and the study of social problems
The individual and society
a.
Work, leisure, and government
b.
Anonymity and impersonalization
Chabot College
Course Outline for Sociology 2
Fall 2002
Course Content (Cont'd):
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Juvenile delinquency
a.
Social definitions
b.
Problems and ecology of the delinquent
c.
Meeting the problem
Crime
a.
Types of criminals
b.
Problems and ecology of the criminal
c.
Types of crime
d.
Meeting the problem
Divorce
a.
Divorce as a social problem
b.
Family in divorce
c.
Meeting the problem
Alcoholism
a.
Social definition
b.
Alcoholism as a social problem
c.
Meeting the problem
Drug addiction
a.
Social definition
b.
Types of addiction and society
c.
Meeting the problem
Gerontology
a.
Changing social definitions
b.
Aging as a social problem
c.
Meeting the problem
Mental Health
a.
Types of mental health
b.
Mental health and society
c.
Meeting the problem
Poverty
a.
Social definitions
b.
Poverty and society
c.
Meeting the problem
Method of Presentation:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Lecture - discussion
Guest speakers
Audio-visual aids
Group seminars
Page 2
Chabot College
Course Outline for Sociology 2
Fall 2002
Page 3
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1.
Typical Assignments
a.
Essays:
1)
How is the conflict perspective on white collar crime different
from the functionalist perspective? Explain how each perspective
perceives this social problem and what solutions each perspectives
would propose.
2.
Explain how multinational corporations contribute to global
stratification.
b.
Group project:
1.
Divide the class into groups. In groups, design public policy to
reduce poverty in the United States. Present proposals to the class
for critiquing.
2.
Over a two week period, collect articles from the local newspapers
on poverty and the poor. In groups organize the articles, conduct a
content analysis and present findings to the class.
c.
Exercises:
1.
Interview a staff person from an organization that works with
victims of domestic violence. Write a summary of the interview
which should include the purpose of organization, population
served, current statistics about the local community, extent of the
problem, projected needs for the community.
2.
Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
a.
Exams and quizzes
b.
student reports
c.
class participation
d.
Final examination
Textbook(s) (Typical):
Understanding Social Problems, Mooney, Linda, David Knox and Caroline Schacht,
Wadsworth, 2001, or latest edition.
Special Student Materials:
None.
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Revised: 1-31-2002