Sociology 201s – Social Issues and Action
Fall 2015
Syllabus – 4 unit course
Contact Information
Instructor
Jason Whitley
Lecturer
Department of Sociology
Office Hours, Phone & Email:
Office hours: Tues 1-2 pm
or by appointment
BSS 548
826-4563
jmw85@humboldt.edu
Meeting Time and Location
Tuesday/Thursday 11-12:20
BSS 408
Official Catalog Description:
Required of all sophomore majors. Explores contemporary social problems and
associated social policies. The course includes experiential education that connects
students to local responses to social issues. [Prereq: SOC 104. Majors only.]
Course Description
The purpose of this course is to introduce you to the sociological perspective on social
problems. We will utilize a critical constructionist lens to study the definition, sources,
distribution, consequences of and responses to social problems. Using a critical lens we
will explore how inequality (generally reflected in race, class, and gender) influences the
social problems process. Combined with the constructionist perspective we are pushed
to consider the subjective nature of social problems. That is, why do particular problems
become a focus of concern in a given historical and social context? Why are some
forms of drug use promoted while others are deplored? Why are we worried about
teenage obesity in one year and hunger in another? Who decides what constitutes a
social problem and worthy of attention and/or social intervention? Who is responsible for
responding to social problems?
My goal within this course is for you to leave with more questions than answers…to
become curious, engaged and maybe even enraged about the state of affairs in the
world. My hope is that you finish the semester with a new way of thinking and a desire
for social change through imaginative action. Since this is a service learning based
course, you will have the opportunity to apply your emerging knowledge of the social
problems process while volunteering in a community organization targeting a specific
social problem.
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Learning Outcomes
The following learning outcomes are course, Department and University specific:
Course
By the end of the semester, students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the social constructionist perspective of social
problems
2. Describe the social problems process
3. Identify how inequality shapes the social problems process
4. Locate opportunities for ongoing community engagement
5. Communicate with precision and style in both writing and orally
Department
By the end of the semester, students should be able to:
1. Think critically about social justice efforts and inequalities in communities and
environments.
1. Develop a solid foundation in sociological theory.
2. Make linkages between empirical data and theoretical concepts.
University
By the end of the semester, students should have developed:
1. Effective communication through written and oral modes.
3. Critical and creative thinking skills in acquiring a broad knowledge base, and
applying it to complex issues.
4. Competence in a major area of study.
5. Appreciation for, and an understanding of, an expanded world perspective by
engaging respectfully with a diverse range of individuals, communities, and
viewpoints.
Course Readings
Additional course readings will be available on Moodle. I will let you know when
something new has been uploaded.
Required Books (available in HSU Bookstore and on reserve in the library)
Best, Joel. 2008. Social Problems. New York: W.W. Norton and Company.
Patel, Raj. 2008. Stuffed and Starved: The Hidden Battle for the World Food System.
New York: Melville House.
Grade Considerations
Components and Weight
• Participation (10%)
Come to class prepared and participate. You can miss up 2 class meetings
without being penalized. Choose them carefully since your final participation
grade will drop by a half grade (e.g., from a B+ to a B) for each additional day
that you are absent. In addition to attending class, I also expect you to be an
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engaged and active learner. To that end, you have a responsibility to yourself
and other members of the class to come prepared having completed readings
before class, participate, actively listen to lecture and input from other members
of the class, and ask questions. Please note that disruptive behavior will
negatively impact your class participation grade (see “Class Ground Rules”).
Consistent class attendance with minimal to no contribution to class discussion
will bring a C participation grade. Participation will also be evaluated based on
your preparation for and contributions to reading and “jigsaw” discussion groups.
• In class writing assignments (15%)
There will be short, random in-class writing assignments on the assigned readings. You
must be in class to take them. I will drop two the lowest two scores at the end of the
semester.
• Papers (40%)
There will be two papers in this class that will consist of your own research regarding
particular social issues/problems. Your first paper will consist of analyzing media
coverage of a particular social problem. The second paper will consist of your own
research of a social issue. A separate handout will be posted on moodle with detailed
description and rubric of these assignments. Each paper is worth 20% of your final
grade.
• Service Learning Experience (35%)
You are expected to complete a minimum of 30 hours of community service (at
least 2 hours per week) during the semester. You can volunteer with one of the
many Y.E.S. Programs (http://studentaffairs.humboldt.edu/yes/index.php) as well
as numerous other community based organizations. More information about
service learning options will be provided during the second class. Your service
learning experience will be graded according to the following:
• Completion of Hours and Related Paperwork (15 points). Once you have
identified your volunteer placement, you will need to complete the paperwork
provided on the course Moodle site (this includes the “Learning Plan”,
“Service Learning Agreement”, and the “Service Learner Time Log”).
Completion of this paper work including a time log demonstrating that you
have met the minimum number of hours expected counts towards 35% of
your final grade
• Weekly Journal Entries and Summative Reflection (20 points). During
your volunteer experience, you will act as a participant observer and
document your experiences and observations in weekly journal entries. I would
encourage you to collect agency materials and internet resources (e.g., news stories)
that pertain to the social problem the organization is addressing. At the end of the
semester, you will write a 3-4 page summative reflection on your volunteer experience
and give a brief (5 minute) presentation. More information on the summative paper will
be provided on Moodle.
Overall Paper Grading Criteria:
1. Organization – of each paragraph and overall essay – essay flows logically
2. Meets specific requirements of assignment including proper citation of sources
used
3. Correct application of sociological concepts and assigned readings
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4. Sentence Structure – sentences well formed and appropriately varied in length
5. Mechanics – free of spelling, typographical, and grammatical errors
All papers should be double-spaced with 1-inch margins. Do not exceed the page limit
provided. For writing tutorial services, please consult The University Writing Center
(http://www.humboldt.edu/~english/wrtgcntr.html). Helpful grammar tips can be found online at
the Grammar Bytes website (http://www.chompchomp.com/).
Grading Scale
A = 93-100
%
A- = 90-92
B+ = 87-89
B = 83-86
B- = 80-82
C+ = 77-79
C- = 70-72
D+ = 67-69
D = 63-66
D- 60-62
F = 0-59
Minimum Grade
Sociology students must earn a grade of “C” or above to meet major degree
requirements. Sociology majors earning a “C-“or below may not count the course
toward their major degree requirements.
Estimated Outside Class Time
Students hoping to earn an “A” in this class can anticipate spending an average of 6-8
hours each week on outside class activities: reading, writing and editing, conducting
field research, and thinking about material in preparation for our class meetings. I
encourage you to schedule and use this preparation time starting in the first week so
that you can make the most of this seminar.
Late Work and Extra Credit
As a general rule, late work will not be accepted and I do not assign extra credit
assignments. However, it is always best to communicate with me about a life crisis or
medical issues.
Ground Rules:
1. Come on time and stay the full class. If you need to come late or leave early
because of a medical appointment or such, please talk to me before class and
make your arrival or departure as quietly as possible. Find a seat nearest the
door. This is as much, if not more, for your classmates as it is for me. Many
students find it very distracting to keep focused on lecture when others are
coming and going.
2. Turn your cell phone off before coming to class.
3. Be fully present. If you choose to come to class, I expect you to be mentally as
well as physically present. Do not come to class if you are inebriated enough to
ask yourself “Am I too high\drunk to go to class?” Trust me, I know if you are. If
you need to get work done for another class – then just skip this class. We all
have to make choices about where to focus our energy on any given day.
4. Be honest. Collaborative learning is encouraged in and outside of the classroom;
the only exception to this norm is completing the in class exams.
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5. Be respectful. The first four ground rules are indicators of respect for this class
as well as for your classmates. In addition, class discussion time is a critical
point of showing respect and intellectual growth. We will be dealing with
controversial and sometimes personally painful subject matter in this course. We
need to make discussion “safe” for everyone. We all need to make this happen
together. Listen carefully to comments. Do not interrupt. Use words (nonverbal
and guttural sounds are not acceptable forms of communication). If you want to
take issue with someone else’s response, first summarize what you heard them
say. Then discuss why the “idea” (not the person) is problematic.
6. You speak for yourself. You own your opinion and you get to keep it. The voices
that we speak with are often indicative of larger narratives that have been a part
of our particular social experience. We do not speak for all members of a group
to which we belong. I strive to present research that is methodological and
theoretically sound. Your opinion may not be supported by research that I
present in class. That dissonance may make you uncomfortable or even angry.
Note those emotions. They are important.
Students with Disabilities
This syllabus was designed using recommended practices for creating accessible word
documents. Persons who wish to request disability-related accommodations should
contact the Student Disability Resource Center in House 71, 826-4678 (voice) or 8265392 (TDD). Some accommodations may take up to several weeks to arrange.
http://www.humboldt.edu/~sdrc/
Add Drop Policy
Students are responsible for knowing the University policy, procedures, and schedule
for dropping or adding classes.
http://www.humboldt.edu/~reg/regulations/schedadjust.html
Emergency Evacuation
Please review the evacuation plan for the classroom posted on the orange signs and
review
http://studentaffairs.humboldt.edu/emergencyops/campus_emergency_preparedness.p
hp for information on campus Emergency Procedures. During an emergency,
information can be found campus conditions at: 826-INFO or
www.humboldt.edu/emergency
Academic Honesty
Students are responsible for knowing policy regarding academic honesty:
http://studentaffairs.humboldt.edu/judicial/academic_honesty.php or
http://www.humboldt.edu/~humboldt/catalogpdfs/catalog2007-08.pdf
Attendance and Classroom Behavior
Students are responsible for knowing policy regarding attendance and disruptive
behavior: http://studentaffairs.humboldt.edu/judicial/attendance_behavior.php
Subject to Change with Fair Notice
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Week Date
8-25
8-27
9-1
Class Focus & Readings to be
Discussed
Course Introduction & Overview
Service Learning Options
9-3
Best, Ch 1
Best, Ch 2
9-8
Best Ch 3.
9-10
Best Ch 4
*
9-15
Article Presentation Day
9-17
9-22
Article Presentation Day
Best Ch 5
Best Ch 6
9-24
Assignments Due
First Journal Entry
Due
Article from Newspaper,
website or magazine
related to chosen social
problem(s).
First Paper Due
9-29
10-1
Best Ch 7
Film, TBA
10-6
10-8
10-13
Best Ch 8
Best Ch 9
10-15
10-20
Best Ch 10
10-22
10-27
Library Day
10-29
11-3
11-5
Patel Ch 2
Film – TBA
11-12
Patel Ch 4
11-17
11-19
11-24
Patel Ch 5
Patel Ch 6
11-26
12-1
FALL BREAK
Patel Ch 7
Guest Speaker TBA
Second Journal Entry
Due
Third Journal Entry
Due
Best Ch 11
Patel Ch 1
Patel Ch 3
Library
Fourth Journal Entry
Due
Second Paper Due
Fifth Journal Entry
Due
Sixth Journal Entry
FALL BREAK
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Week Date
12-3
12-8
12-10
12-15
Class Focus & Readings to be
Discussed
Patel Ch 8
Patel Ch 9
Assignments Due
Seventh Journal Entry
Due
Patel Ch 10
Summative Reflections
Summative reflections
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