SYLLABUS FALL 2011
Sociology 2031-001: SOCIAL PROBLEMS
Instructor:
Office:
Office Hours:
Contact info:
Shelli Walker
Ketchum 35
MWF 11am-noon, or by appointment
walkermr@colorado.edu
Course Description
Social problems include many complex and varied issues such as inequality, poverty,
environmental problems, and terrorism. We could spend the entire semester—some spend entire
careers—on any single one of these topics! This class examines many particular social problems,
but the academic focus is on learning about “social problems” as a category of sociological
analysis and research. This means that even as we discuss particular social problems, we will
work to understand how certain issues become social problems, how they gain attention from
society, and how people, policymakers, media and institutions react to problems once they have
gotten our attention. Joel Best’s book Social Problems will serve as our primary guide to the
social construction approach, but we will read excerpts from many sources. Some will provide
theories and analysis. Other readings will be directly drawn from the media, activists, or other
players in the social problems process, which will allow you to apply concepts you’ve learned to
analyze specific social problems and relate them to larger societal factors. We will explore who
defines social problems, how they are communicated to audiences, and what roles various groups
play in raising awareness about them or working to resolve them. Social problems vary through
history and from place to place. Learning how to analyze social problems sociologically can
provide insights into societal patterns, cultural practices, values, behaviors, and institutions.
What we think of as a problem, and how we try to solve it says a lot about the time and society
and we live in. This type of work can improve critical thinking, help you write more clearly, and
improve your savvy as a consumer of information.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, students should know how to:
1. Identify and evaluate social problems claims.
2. Explain processes related to social problems.
3. Gain a conceptual vocabulary and apply it to specific social problems.
4. Be able to describe important characteristics of social problems actors.
5. Recognize the role of morals and biases in discourse on social problems.
6. Use critical thinking to discuss or write about social issues.
7. Know how sociologists research social problems.
8. Identify some of the common characteristics that social problems share.
9. Recognize areas where the social problems process is undergoing important changes.
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COURSE REQUIREMENTS
This course is organized around readings, lectures, films, discussions and structured in-class
activities. Students are responsible for all materials covered. Attendance is a key to success.
Students who do not attend regularly are unlikely to earn an A in this course.
Required Reading
All required readings are provided online.
Using CU Learn
Students need to access CULearn (http://culearn.colorado.edu). Check CU Learn regularly.
Class Conduct
I expect students to pay attention, act respectfully toward me and one another, and to participate
in activities and discussion. For the best class: show up on time, finish assigned readings on time,
limit side activities or multitasking during the class period, use technology appropriately, and
speak up! This is your class, make the most of it. Ask questions, participate in discussions.
+ Bring specific readings when asked, in hard copy or electronic copy.
+ Bring paper and a writing utensil to complete in-class assignments.
+ Laptops closed during interactive discussions, films, or activities. The exception is if you need
access to an article. Otherwise, close it at these times.
+ Cell phones off. No exceptions.
+ No recordings of class without explicit permission from me.
Know the consequences:
+Inappropriate laptop or phone use may result in point deductions or suspension of privileges for
the remainder of the course. You may be asked to leave the class for disruptive use of
technology. Tech privileges are at the discretion of the instructor and may be changed if
problematic use begins to interfere with the class.
+ Repeat misconduct will be reported as “disruptive behavior” according to CU guidelines on
classroom behavior: http://www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html
+ Hate speech or defamation of any individual or group will not be tolerated and may have
serious negative consequences (determined by the case).
ASSESSMENT
Attendance (100) /
Participation (150)
Short Paper (100)
+ Prep assignment (25)
Exams
(75, 100, 100)
Total points
2
250
38%
125
20%
275
42%
650
100%
Attendance: Sign in. Not signing = not being there.
• 5 absences for any reason without penalty.
• Additional absences: deduct 10% of the attendance grade per absence.
• Missing 15 classes is an automatic failing grade for the course.
• 2 or fewer absences: 10 points extra credit.
• Falsifying class attendance is cheating. Be honest.
Any form of cheating (including this one) = fail the class.
• Attendance is mandatory during the first 2 weeks to stay enrolled in the class. However, it is
always the student’s responsibility to drop the course if they decide not to take it.
• If you may have an excused reason to miss a test, see me to make arrangements.
• If you have an exceptional situation that interrupts your attendance for an extended period of
time, you should contact me. Emergencies will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
Documentation/verification is required to qualify.
• Athletes with more than 5 conflicting dates for university sports events should see me.
Participation consists of in-class exercises or short activities. These are not always announced
in advance, and each activity may place during a single class or over class periods.
• You must be in class to earn points for any in-class work.
• NO make-up assignments.
• One assignment score will be tossed out (missed zero score or lowest score)
• Late assignments are subject to approval with deductions. If you hand in a late assignment
without asking me if I will accept it, you will get NO points for it.
• To participate, you must bring requested materials to complete the assignment.
• Follow instructions about whether to work alone or with a specific number of others. Failure
to do so may lower grade.
The participation assignments are graded based on effort and completion. Each assignment is
rated on a scale of 1-10. The final participation grade averages individual grades then converts
them into a percentage. Students receive that percent of 150 points.
1 Short Paper Students write one short, 3-5–page paper worth 100 points. Papers should use
concepts and vocabulary from class readings, and reference these sources. In addition, students
complete one preparatory paper assignment for feedback, which is worth 25 points and is added
into the paper grade (not participation points). More instructions will be provided in class.
Late Papers: Papers are due on Friday Dec. 2. I will accept late papers as follows:
turned in after class but by end of day on Friday Dec 2: 10% deduction.
turned in by noon (end of my office hours) on Monday Dec 5: 25% deduction.
Papers later than Dec 5 will not be accepted.
3 Exams are scheduled roughly every 5 weeks. The last exam takes place during the final exam
time slot (Saturday 4:30 pm). Each exam focuses on the material covered in the preceding 5week period, but may incorporate earlier ideas. Tests are concept heavy and process heavy. You
are evaluated on understanding of concepts or theories. Questions are usually mid-length format
(short answer, fill-in-blanks, short essay, lists), with a few short questions (multiple choice, truefalse) and one longer essay at the end. The first test will be worth fewer points than the other two
to allow you to become familiar with the test style.
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Exam Date Conflicts
If you have an excused reason to miss one of the two exams that take place during regular class-,
contact me prior to the exam, or if it is a last-minute emergency, on the day of the exam. Be able
to provide documentation for exam day absence in order to make up the exam. You cannot make
up an exam if you missed due to an unexcused reason. You cannot make up an exam if you did
not contact me by the end of day on which the exam was scheduled, except under the most
extraordinary circumstances.
If a student’s final exam schedule results in THREE or more exams on the same day, the student
is entitled to arrange an alternate exam time for the last scheduled exam of the day (which is
likely this one, since it is in the last exam slot of the day). Arrangements must be made by the 6th
week of the semester (Oct 1) to ensure an alternate exam time.
Special Arrangements
Students must provide official documentation in any case where a concession is requested. When
alternate arrangements are granted, make-up exams or assignments must be completed by the
mutually agreed-upon time.
Films
We will watch films during class period as time permits. Longer films are mentioned in the
syllabus, but many shorter clips are not. Some films are accessible outside of class. You are
expected to be in attendance on film days and to participate in discussion on film content.
Questions on films may appear in assignments, and on quizzes and exams.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
In addition to the basic rules listed above for conduct during class, students need to know the
following policies.
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to follow the mandate of the University of Colorado’s Honor Code:
http://www.colorado.edu/policies/acadinteg.html. Basically, don’t cheat or plagiarize.
Disabilities: If any student has a specific physical, psychiatric, or learning disabilities and
require accommodations, please seek assistance from the university’s Disability Services, located
in Willard 322. Information is also available at http://colorado.edu/disabilityservices. To receive
accommodations, students must provide me with a letter from Disability Services. There are
strict rules about providing accommodations for disabilities. Documentation is required before
accommodations can be extended. Once a student has a letter indicating accommodations, they
should arrange to see me during office hours or by appointment to discuss the best arrangements
or schedule any special arrangements that are provided through the accommodation.
Course Concerns: If you have any questions or encounter difficulties with any aspect of the
class, I encourage you to contact me to discuss it. Come to my office hours, make an
appointment, or email me. I am available and I want you to enjoy the class and succeed.
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TENTATIVE READING & ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE
Dates indicate when reading should be completed - before class on the listed day.
Bring copies of readings to class when requested. Any changes to this reading/assignment
schedule will be announced in class, posted on CU Learn, and will serve as the correct deadline.
WEEK & TOPIC
READINGS & DUE DATES
Week 1: August 22‐26 Introduction to Social Problems Week 2: August 29‐Sep 2 Claims & Claimsmakers M: No Class: Read Syllabus W: Syllabus F: Best Ch 1 Social Problems Process M: Best Ch 2 Claims W: Loseke Ch 2 “Claims‐Makers & Audience” F: Economist: Why is America Locking Up…”, CQ “Downsizing Prisons” excerpt M: NO CLASS: Labor Day W: Wright Ch 1 “Perspective & Values” F: Loseke: Ch 4 “Victims and Villains” M: Stat Spotting, Fallacy Handout W: Drinking Age readings F: Marijuana and Drinking reading M: Best “Medicalization”, Loe “Prescription” W: Christiansen: Social Movements handout F: start Shirky Here Comes Everybody excerpt Week 3: September 5‐9 Claims & Values Week 4: September 12‐16 Evaluating Information, Drinking & Marijuana
Week 5: September 19‐23 Legal Drugs, Medicalization, Social Movements Week 6: September 26‐30 Social Movements & Communication Technology Week 7: October 3‐7 Experts, Evidence, & Science M: finish Shirky excerpt W: no reading F: TEST 1 M: Start reading American Society “Concentrated Power” W: Film excerpt: The Corporation F: Finish: Concentrated Power M: Seethaler: Ch 8 “Society’s Say” W: American Society Ch 5 “Environment” F: Heiner “Problems of the Environment,” King “When Markets Become Contentious” M: Domhoff “Who Rules America” W: Possible Film, start reading‐ Food Politics F: Possible Film, cont. reading‐ Food Politics M: finish Nestle Food Politics‐discussion W: start Injustice reading, Poverty reading F: finish Injustice reading Week 8: October 10‐14 Capitalism, Power, & Corporations Power, Experts, & Environment Week 9: October 17‐21 Food Industry Week 10: October 24‐28 Media/Public Response 5
Week 11: October 31‐November 4 Public Response/Exam 2 Week 12: November 7‐11 Policymaking M: TEST 2 W: Best: Public Opinion excerpt F: Media reading M: Mean World, Public Opinion W: Public Opinion, Mean World F: Issue reading (TBD) Teen Parents, Gay Marriage, Immigration M: Best Ch 8 “Social Problems Workers” W: Homeless Readings, Possible Speaker F: PAPER PRE‐ASSIGNMENT DUE Week 13: November 14‐18 Policymaking Thanksgiving/Fall Break November 21‐25 Week 14: November 28‐December 2 Policy Outcomes‐Poverty, Education M: Charon‐ Declaring War on Social Problems W: Economist‐Avuncular State, Best Ch 9 (276‐291) F: PAPER DUE M: CQ Education report W: How Schools Really Matter, Policy reading F: Review Week 15: December 5‐9 Education/Outcomes/ Review FINAL EXAM DATE is SATURDAY DECEMBER 10 4:30 pm – 7 pm 6