Intro to Social Problems
Sociology
Study Human Social behavior -- Society – Nation –
Social Structure of society--Institutions, Organizations, & Groups Focus on Inequalities
between groups & Social Change to lessen Inequalities. [Note: My definitions of social
structure is bit different from Mooney et al.’s in Ch. 1.]
Social Problems – Objective and Subjective elements of SP’s
(My definition & differences with Mooney et al.’s in Ch. 1 re: importance of subjective element, that
widespread agreement something is problem is necessary for it to be a social problem)
Importance of Social Structure (i.e., instns, orgzns., & groups) not just the Individual (Mooney et
al. Ch. 1)
Social Structure Vs. Human Agency (H.A. is the ability of individuals to make change in Soc.
Structure)
& Social Change to Lessen Inequalities… Social Justice
Framing / Social Construciton of Soc. Probs--Social Problems Socially Constructed & “Socially
Defined” … “Contest for meaning”… (Mooney et al. ch. 1,” + my lecture)
Role of Valees & Norms as important to how people see something as Soc. Prob., or not
Role of Role of Power & Vested Interests in defining / framing of something as social
problem or not… (lecture only)
Examples -- such as Football head injuries
The importance of Social Movements in Social Problems (& solving them)
3 Approaches to Solutions for Social Problems (Top-Down, Bottom-Up, Negotiation)
Sociological Imagination (Mooney et al. Ch. 1)
Personal Troubles vs. Public Issues (how they are related)
Examples of…(Person lack Health insurance VS. 16% of US pop lack H Ins., etc.)
“Perspective Taking” (empathy), as tool for increasing understanding & research
E.g., Rios text strives to have readers do this…
Research Methods / how do we get Info. in Sociology (Mooney et al. Ch. 1)
3 Main Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology – ((Mooney et al. Ch. 1 & some my stuff) --Define each
briefly, how they see the world, and know where each sees Cause for Social Problems
1. Conflict Theory—Basic ideas & View of Cause of Social Probs. … Example: Case Study
of Students Against Sweatshops
2. Functionalism-- Basic ideas & View of Cause of Social Probs. …
3 Symbolic Interactionism (S-I) -- Basic ideas& View of Social Probs. … Ex: Case Study
of Class observation & writing assignment at Food Pantry/ Meals for Poor program.
Group Discussion exercise—List examples of Social Problems in Rios text/ autobiography, chs. 1-9.
Analyze it using 3 main sociological theories (what does each theory say is cause of social
problems and how does that fit or not in example from Rios text?)
Lots of Social Problems illustrated in Rios Chs. 1-9—domestic violence, sexual violence,
extreme poverty, family problems, immigration problems, unfair treatment by authorities
including police as well as employers, education problems, crime (drugs, violence),
gangs, lack of help from mainstream institutions or made worse by them (way treated by
schools and police and economy), etc.
How does each of 3 main social theories explain cause of those problems?