Social Problems - American Sociological Association

Syllabus—Hamil-Luker University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
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Jenifer Hamil-Luker University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Social Problems: Sociology 20 Summer 1999
COURSE OVERVIEW
During this course, we will apply a sociological perspective to the study of social problems. We will learn that the
causes of social problems are not rooted in personalities or genes. Instead, social problems emerge through conflict
between and within social institutions. We will learn that social problems are not random occurrences, but are
socially patterned.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. You will be equipped with a sociological imagination, enabling you to understand the relationship between
private troubles and public issues. You will be able to explain to others how social structure, history, and
biography intersect in the shaping and experience of social problems.
2. For each of the topics we will cover (crime, racism, sexism, and ageism), you will be able to define the social
problem, comprehend and evaluate alternative causal explanations, and use the theories you have learned to
point to solutions that logically follow from the causal analysis.
3. You will practice and improve basic skills of the educated person:
• Writing summaries of assigned readings
• Orally presenting your ideas in small groups
• Applying sociological thinking to important issues
• Locating information from books, government documents and the internet
• Problem-solving in small and large group discussion contexts
• Evaluating evidence for and against a position
• Choosing and defending a position from alternative viewpoints
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
The format of this course is a combination of discussion and lecture. In order to fully participate in class discussions
and exercises, I recommend you spend about two hours in preparation for each class. Before you come to class,
please carefully read the day’s assigned text, take notes on the key ideas, and formulate your own questions or
comments related to the readings.
In class, we will practice important skills and apply major concepts in small work groups of three to five students.
This strategy, called cooperative learning, is designed to increase your mastery of course content and develop skills
you will need once you leave college. These small group discussions will also give you the opportunity to hear new
and diverse viewpoints from your classmates.
Summary of Requirements:
Daily Quizzes 35%
Position Paper I 15%
Position Paper II 15%
Position Paper III 15%
Final 20%
Grading Scale:
A = 93 - 100 C+ = 77 - 79
A- = 90 - 92 C = 74 - 76
B+ = 87 - 89 C- = 70 - 73
B = 84 - 86 D = 60 - 69
B- = 80 - 83 F < 60
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