MASTER COURSE OUTLINE
Big Bend Community College
Date: July 2008
DEPT.:
NO:
(Formerly: SOC 270)
SOC&
201
COURSE TITLE: Social Problems
CIP Code:
Intent Code:
SIS Code:
45.1101
11
N/A
Distribution Desig.:
Social Science
PREPARED BY:
CREDITS:
Total Contact Hours Per Qtr:
Lecture Hours Per Qtr:
Lab Hours Per Qtr:
Other Hours Per Qtr:
5
55
55
Joe Rogers
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
A sociological analysis of the major social problems facing both the United States and the world today. Among the
topics analyzed are: Family disorganization, social deviance, poverty, crime, over population and environmental
degradation. Strongly recommend placement in MPC 095 or higher and placement in ENGL 099 or higher.
PREREQUISITE(S):
None
TEXT: Social Problems by James M. Henslin
The Study Guide to accompany the test is not required but it is highly recommended and will
especially help on the test multiple choice questions.
COURSE GOALS:
To explore the major social issues facing our society today and to learn and understand the cause character and
consequence of social problems.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
1. Recognize, explain and apply the key concepts and terms introduced in both text and lecture
2. Summarize the major theoretical approaches to the study of social problems
3. Discuss the definition of a “social problem”
4. Identify and discuss the major problems raised in class and text
5. Speculate on and summarize the options available to ameliorate these problems
6. Cite the relationship between American culture and our problems
7. Propose your own solutions to the problems facing our society
8. Explain the difficulty of “solving” many of our social problems
9. Explain the relationship between individual issues like family problems (such as divorce), and the larger social
context of the economy
SOC&201Document1
COURSE CONTENT OUTLINE:
Week 1,2,and 3
Chapter and Topic
Chapter 1 How Sociologists View Social Problems: The Abortion Dilema
Chapter 2 Interpreting Social Problems: Aging
Chapter 3 Prostitution, Homosexuality and pornography
Chapter 4 Alcohol and Other Drugs
Chapter 5 Violence in Society: Rape and Murder
TEST #1 CHAPTERS 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and lecture Thursday, Week 4
Week 4,5,6 and 7
Chapter and Topic
Chapter 6 Crime and Criminal Justice
Chapter 7 Economic Problems: Wealth and Poverty
Chapter 8 Race and Ethnic Relations
Chapter 9 Sex Discrimination
Chapter 10 Medical Care: Problems of Physical and Mental Illness
TEST #2 CHAPTERS 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and lecture Thursday Week 7
Week 8, 9, 10, and 11
Chapter and Topic
Chapter 11 The Changing Family
Chapter 12 Urban Problems
Chapter 13 Population and Food
Chapter 14 The Environmental Crisis
Chapter 15 War, Terrorism, and the Balance of Power
*TEST 3RD AND FINAL TEST Chapters 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and lecture
*as scheduled during finals week
FIELD TRIP:
This class includes a mandatory field trip to visit one of the state’s penitentiaries. If, for some reason, a student
cannot make this trip, a written summary, three pages typed, of a journal article from the library on corrections or
prisons will substitute.
TESTING:
There are three tests in this class. Each will consist of:
1. Multiple Choice/True and False questions (60-80) chosen mainly from the textbook
2. 4 to 5 identify terms
3. One to three short answer essay questions
The third and final test will not be comprehensive.
SOC&201Document1
ATTENDANCE AND CLASSROOM PARTICIPATION:
Your regular attendance to this class is expected and participation appreciated. If you know ahead of time that you
must miss a class--be sure to mention it to the instructor. If you do miss class it is your responsibility to recover
the missed material. Ask your classmates for notes and check with the instructor for any handouts or special
instructions. *If you have perfect or near perfect (one miss) attendance and good classroom participation you can
expect your grade to go up perhaps from a 2.4 to a 2.6. If your attendance is poor (four or more misses), your grade
goes down.
ATTENDANCE AND TESTS:
You must be present on test day. There are three tests and no makeups. If you cannot be in class on test day, you
must make arrangements with the instructor prior to the test.
DEBATES:
Each student must participate (as a team member) in two debates, one as his or her team proposes an action or
position the other attacking or criticizing another team’s arguments.
Debate grades worth 100 points
1. Proposal
80 points
2. Critique
20 points
100 points
FINAL GRADES ARE DETERMINED BY:
1. Test grades
2. Team debates
3. Prison report on trip
4. Attendance and participation
300 points. 3 tests @ 100 points each
100 points
10 points
additions or subtractions to the final grade
based on participation
“Any student who feels he or she may need an accommodation for any type of disability, please make an
appointment to see the instructor during office hours or contact the Disabled Students Services personnel in the
Activities Office.”
PLANNED TEACHING METHODS/LEARNING STRATEGIES:
X Lecture
Laboratory
Supervised Clinical
X Small Group Discussion
X Audiovisual
Individualized Instruction
Special Project
Other (List)
X Field Trip
Division Chair Approval
SOC&201Document1