Social Problems - American Sociological Association

Syllabus—Forster Elmhurst College
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Brenda Forster Elmhurst College
Social Problems: Sociology 301 Fall 1999
DESCRIPTION
Students will examine the major theoretical and conceptual explanations for social problems. Specific social
problems at the individual, group, and societal levels will be analyzed using these perspectives. The mechanisms and
effects of social control measures will be discussed.
The People, Power, Politics General Education category objectives will be met. Students will gain knowledge of the
social, political, historical, and economic theories and institutions that determine the environments in which citizens
function within a society. Students will study how groups coexist within social and political contexts and will
examine how power relationships affect subsets of the population.
OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:
1. Identify and describe various theoretical perspectives on social problems and deviant behavior.
2. Document, analyze, and debate ongoing social problem processes and issues using a sociological framework.
3. Investigate and analyze one current social problem in-depth, or investigate and analyze one agency involved in
the handling of a social problem.
4. Meet the People, Power, Politics General Education category objectives:
a. examine actions from the perspective of social responsibility over the long term;
b. demonstrate increased respect for others, commitment to social justice, personal integrity, and service; and
c. demonstrate heightened sensitivity to political and cultural issues, including consideration of race, ethnicity,
gender, and class.
REQUIRED TEXTS
James W. Coleman and Donald R Cressey. Social Problems. Seventh Edition. New York: HarperCollins, 1999.
Harold A. Widdison (ed.). Social Problems 99/00. Twenty-seventh Edition. Guilford, CT: Dushkin Publishing
Group, 1999.
RESERVE TEXTS
Gloria Bird and Michael J. Sporakowski. Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in Family and
Personal Relations. Guilford, CT: Dushkin Publishing Group, 1992. (B&S 1st)
Kurt Finsterbusch and George McKenna. Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Social Issues. Seventh
Edition. Guilford, CT: Dushkin Publishing Group, 1992. (F&M 7th)
Kurt Finsterbusch and George McKenna. Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Social Issues. Ninth
Edition. Guilford, CT: Dushkin Publishing Group, 1996. (F&M 9th)
Kurt Finsterbusch and George McKenna. Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Social Issues. Tenth
Edition. Guilford, CT: Dushkin Publishing Group, 1999. (F&M 10th)
Richard C. Monk. Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Social Issues in Race and Ethnicity. Second
Edition. Guilford, CT: Dushkin Publishing Group, 1996. (M 2nd)
Richard C. Monk. Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in Crime and Criminology. Fifth Edition.
Guilford, CT: Dushkin Publishing Group, 1998. (M 5th)
Ann Vail. Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in Family and Personal Relationships. Fourth
Edition. Guilford, CT: Dushkin Publishing Group, 1999. (V 4th)
EVALUATION COMPONENTS AND CRITERIA
The student will be evaluated by the following:
1. Attendance and participation (required, bonus or penalty points)
2. A social problems article analysis (25%)
3. One written debate with an oral presentation (25%)
4. An applied final project (50%)
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