SOCIAL PROBLEMS
SYA2010-005
Fall 2015
MW 11:00-12:15
Instructor : Kaley Boggs
Email: kboggs@fsu.edu
Office: Bellamy 211
Office: Hours M/W 12:30-1:30
Phone :850-644-4418
TEXTBOOKS
Macionis, John J. Social Problems, 6th Edition, , Edition: 6th, Year Published: 2014, Copyright Year: 2014 ISBN0-536-862826
COURSE DESCRIPTION
An important note about e-mail: Always use your FSU email address account when corresponding
with me or with your online course mentor. We will be able to reply more quickly and completely if
you: 1) Write in a clear subject line; including either Social Problems or SYA 2010 2) Sign your full name and provide your
student (Bb ID)
Sociology is the scientific and systematic study of human societies, how the are organized, function, and why. Sociologists
attempt to assess and reduce social inequality and problems within social organizations and structures. This course, Social Problems,
analyzes current social problems within their sociohistoric (a.k.a. both social and historical) context. It covers a variety of social
problems including race, class, and gender inequality, which are the foundation of sociology, as well as education, deviant behavior
(such and drugs and alcohol abuse), sexuality, healthcare, and politics. While a broad overview of theory and the sociological
discipline is necessary to prepare students for the social problems we will analyze, this course intends to delve into particular topics
within these areas to expose student to social problems currently faced in the U.S. (including their impact internationally) and to give
students a better understanding of the complex social processes at the individual and institutional level. I aim to provide memorable,
long lasting learning experiences using multi-media and technology as well as face-to-face class lectures that will leave students more
culturally aware, and able to critically analyze social problems and assess solutions.
This course is designed to provide you with sociological tools to be able to identify and analyze the causes of social problems. Our
survey of social problems will include four broad areas:
1. Major sociological theories used to explain and understand social problems.
2. Problems related to social inequality (e.g., gender, race/ethnicity, sexuality, class and institutional
inequality).
3. Problems involving deviance and conformity (e.g., drug problems, crime).
4. Problems of social institutions and global population (e.g., changing marriage and fertility rates,
environmental problems).
COURSE OBJECTIVES
For each of the areas above, specific objectives for students include:
1. Understanding why some social issues become defined as social problems and others do not.
2. Using critical thinking to evaluate information about social problems.
3.
The ability to compare, contrast and apply sociological concepts and theories to explain particular social problems
and to identify possible solutions.
University Attendance Policy:
Excused absences include documented illness, deaths in the family and other documented crises, call to active military duty or jury
duty, religious holy days, and official University activities. These absences will be accommodated in a way that does not arbitrarily
penalize students who have a valid excuse. Consideration will also be given to students whose dependent children experience serious
illness.
Academic Honor Policy:
The Florida State University Academic Honor Policy outlines the University’s expectations for the integrity of students’ academic
work, the procedures for resolving alleged violations of those expectations, and the rights and responsibilities of students and faculty
members throughout the process. Students are responsible for reading the Academic Honor Policy and for living up to their pledge to
“. . . be honest and truthful and . . . [to] strive for personal and institutional integrity at Florida State University.” (Florida State
University Academic Honor Policy, found at http://fda.fsu.edu/Academics/Academic-Honor-Policy.)
Americans With Disabilities Act:
Students with disabilities needing academic accommodation should:
(1) register with and provide documentation to the Student Disability Resource Center; and
(2) bring a letter to the instructor indicating the need for accommodation and what type. This should be done during the first week of
class.
This syllabus and other class materials are available in alternative format upon request.
For more information about services available to FSU students with disabilities, contact the:
Student Disability Resource Center
874 Traditions Way
108 Student Services Building
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL 32306-4167
(850) 644-9566 (voice)
(850) 644-8504 (TDD)
sdrc@admin.fsu.edu
http://www.disabilitycenter.fsu.edu/
Free Tutoring from FSU
On-campus tutoring and writing assistance is available for many courses at Florida State University. For more information, visit the
Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) Tutoring Services’ comprehensive list of on-campus tutoring options see http://ace.fsu.edu/tutoring or contact tutor@fsu.edu. High-quality tutoring is available by appointment and on a walk-in basis.
These services are offered by tutors trained to encourage the highest level of individual academic success while upholding personal
academic integrity.
Syllabus Change Policy
"Except for changes that substantially affect implementation of the evaluation (grading) statement, this syllabus is a guide for the
course and is subject to change with advance notice.”
ASSIGNMENTS
Required Assignments: Both 1-2 double space pages
-Blurred Lines Memo
-Documentary Review
Information regarding assignments found on Blackboard under Assignments
Late Assignments
0.1-midnight of the due date -10% penalty
12:01a.m- midnight the day after the due date 25%
12:01a.m- midnight 2 days after the due date 50%
12:01a.m- midnight 3 days after the due date 75%
4 days or after- if you have not contacted me previously to make arrangements for your missing assignment you will not be given
credit for the assignment.
I also understand emergencies and conditions outside of your control –a.k.a. life happens. It is 100% your responsibility to contact me
in a timely manner regarding any issues you’re facing. If you contact me prior to the due date/time, I will try to work with you to
assistant your completion of assignments and your success the course.
Assignment Descriptions
Specific information regarding assignments can be found on Blackboard under assignments
Grades
Unit Quizzes (4)
20% (5% each)
Discussion Boards (2)
10% (5% each)
Blurred Lines Memo
10%
In Class Activities (5)
15% (3% each)
Film Analysis
10%
Midterm
15%
Cumulative Final
20%
Grade Scale:
A 100 – 93
A- 92 – 90
B+ 89 – 87
C+ 79 – 77
D+ 69 – 67
B
C
D
86 – 83
B- 82 – 80
76 – 73
C- 72 – 70
F
59 – 0
66 – 63
D- 62 – 60
As a policy I DO NOT round up your grades, if you earn 92.999 points you will have an A-. In an occupational setting what you earn
is how you are you are “graded.” This is either by salary or by hourly wage – neither are rounded by employers. This policy is not
intended to hinder your grade put to evaluate you with a similar set of standards you will face in an occupational setting. I encourage
you to be an active participant in the course and be in contact with me regarding your progress and grade standing.
Course Schedule
Reading Abbreviations: M –Macionis Social Problems, assigned textbook BB: Located in Blackboard:
Day
Topic
Reading
(Reading should be done prior to the
day the day that they are listed)
Week 1
M8/24
Imagine –John
Lennon
Wed 8/26
Impressions that I
Get-Mighty Mighty
Bostones
Week 2 Overview/Theory
Overview/Theory
Intro and Syllabus Overview
Overview
One True Story Video In Class
Chapter 1
Mon
Sociological Imagination, Social
Interaction and Personal Identity
BB: Mills: Sociological Imagination
Goffman: Presentation of
Everyday Self
Mon
Wed
8/31
Catch My Breath –
Kelly Clarkston
9/2
Week 3 Class/ Poverty
Mon 9/7 No Class
Wed 9/9
Ice Ice Baby
Week 4 Class/Poverty- Race/Ethnicity
Mon 9/14
Prince of Bel-Air
Theme Song
Wed
9/16 Colors of the
Wind – Vanessa
Williams
Get the
Textbook!
Overview/Theory
Inequality for All-Film –Get Quiz First!
Labor Day
Methods
Inequality for
All Quiz In
Class
Chapter 2
Hoop Dreams- Film
Class Optional
Complete Hoops
Dreams Quiz
Due Friday 9/18
by 5:00 pm
Othering
Color-blind Racism
BB: W & F-Doing Difference
Omi Exerpt
Wed
White Priviledge, Intersectionality
BB: Unpacking the Cultural
Knapsack
Blurred Lines/ Defined Lines –Robin
Thick/Law Review
Chapter 4
BB: Is Hooking Up Bad for Young
Women
Week 6 Gender
Mon 9/29
Just a Girl – No
Doubt
Wed
10/1
Who Runs the
World-Beyonce
In-Class
Activity
-Survey
Chapter 3
BB: Steel Stereotype Threat
Week 5 Race/Ethnicity
Mon 9/21 EthnicityKendrick Lamar
9/23 Free Your Mind
Assignment
Discussion
Board Due by
midnight
Unit Quiz 1
In Class Activity
BB:Pat Martin, “’Said and Done’
vs. ‘Saying and Doing’”
Week 7 Gender and Marriage/Family
Mon 10/6
John Oliver (Season 2 Episode 13
Working Women’s
Holiday
Chapter 12 Family Life
BB: W & F-Doing Difference
Blurred Lines
Memo Due
Wed
There a Motherhood Penalty
Unit Quiz
10/8 Cat’s in the
Cradle
I Can’t do That
Anymore- Faith Hill
Week 8 Marriage/Family and Work
Mon 10/13
Freakonomics
Chapter 11 Work and The
Workplace
Wed
10/15 Runaway Love
-Ludacris
Week 9 Midterm Review / Midterm
Mon 10/20
Wed 10/22
Week 10 Work/ Education
Mon 10/27 Pursuit of
Happiness –Kid
Cudi
Wed 10/29
Waiting for Superman
Midterm Review
Midterm
Chapter 13 Education
Week 11 Education
Mon 11/3 I Love CollegeAsher Roth
Wed
11/5
Week 12 Sexuality
Mon 11/10
In Class Activity
Ivory Tower
Class Optional
John Oliver August 9, 2015
11/12
Same LoveMacklemore
Week 13 Social Deviance/Prison System
Mon 11/17
Russell Brand: Addiction to Recovery
I Can’t Feel My
Face- The Weeknd
Wed 11/19
Orange is the New Black
Locked Away –
R. City ft. Adam
Levine
Quiz Due 11/7
by 5:00pm
Chapter 7-Sexuality
Unit Quiz
Movie Analysis
Due Wednesday
by 5pm
Wed
Chapter 8- Alcohol and Other Drugs
Wet Houses
Chapter 6 Crime, Violence, and
Criminal Justice
BB: Goffman: Men on the Run
Peer Analysis
Due Friday by
5pm
Discussion
Board Due
Friday by
5:00pm
Week 14 Politics
Mon
11/24 Power
Kanye West
Wed 11/26 No class
Week 15 Class Choice
Mon 11/31
Wed 12/2 Change- Sean
Kingston
Final
Smartest Guys in the Room- No Class
Chapter
Fligstien Stakeholder vs.
Shareholder
Quiz Due Wed
11/19 by
5:00pm
Thanksgiving
Unit Quiz
Final Review
Tues Dec. 8th 5:30-7:30
Final Review