SRJC Course Outlines

12/8/2024 12:53:10 AMSOC 2 Course Outline as of Fall 2023

Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION

Discipline and Nbr:  SOC 2Title:  MODERN SOCIAL PROBLEMS  
Full Title:  Modern Social Problems
Last Reviewed:4/25/2022

UnitsCourse Hours per Week Nbr of WeeksCourse Hours Total
Maximum3.00Lecture Scheduled3.0017.5 max.Lecture Scheduled52.50
Minimum3.00Lab Scheduled06 min.Lab Scheduled0
 Contact DHR0 Contact DHR0
 Contact Total3.00 Contact Total52.50
 
 Non-contact DHR0 Non-contact DHR Total0

 Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50 

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:
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Students will engage in the analysis of contemporary social problems.  Topics include globalization, environmental issues, poverty, work, health and mental health care, the educational system, criminal justice, the basis of inequalities, and the role of power in defining social problems.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:


Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description: Untitled document
Students will engage in the analysis of contemporary social problems.  Topics include globalization, environmental issues, poverty, work, health and mental health care, the educational system, criminal justice, the basis of inequalities, and the role of power in defining social problems.
(Grade or P/NP)

Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL 1A or equivalent
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:Effective:Fall 1981
Inactive: 
 Area:D
Social and Behavioral Sciences
 
CSU GE:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 DSocial ScienceFall 2010
 D0Sociology and Criminology  
 DSocial ScienceFall 1991Fall 2010
 D0Sociology and Criminology  
 D1Anthropology and Archeology  
 D4Gender Studies  
 DSocial ScienceFall 1981Fall 1991
 D1Anthropology and Archeology  
 D4Gender Studies  
 
IGETC:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 4Social and Behavioral ScienceFall 1981
 4JSociology and Criminology  
 
CSU Transfer:TransferableEffective:Fall 1981Inactive:
 
UC Transfer:TransferableEffective:Fall 1981Inactive:
 
C-ID:
 CID Descriptor: SOCI 115 Social Problems SRJC Equivalent Course(s): SOC2

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable



COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
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1. Analyze major social problems in modern society using sociological terms and theoretical perspectives.
2. Critically evaluate proposed solutions to modern social problems.
 

Objectives: Untitled document
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Define and explain social problems from a sociological perspective.
2. Analyze trends in poverty and wealth in the United States and the world.
3. Summarize the major issues for racial and ethnic group relations.
4. Evaluate the role of gender in the policies of contemporary social institutions.
5. Compare the health policies of the United States to those of other nations.
6. Summarize structural changes in the U.S. economy including the effects of deindustrialization and the rise of information technology.
7. Analyze the foundations of educational inequality.
8. Identify the impact of environmental issues on the society.
9. Compare and contrast corporate crime with street crime.

Topics and Scope
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I. Sociological Approaches to the Explanation of Social Problems
    A.  Structural-Functionalism
    B.  Conflict Theory
    C.  Social Constructionism
    D. The role of power in defining problems and solutions
II. Poverty and Wealth
    A.  The relationship between wealth, power, and poverty
    B.  Global issues related to wealth and poverty
    C.  Policy responses to poverty
III. Race and Ethnic Inequality
    A.  Issues in group relations
    B.  Prejudice and discrimination
    C.  Governmental policies and political stances
IV. Gender Inequality
    A.  Historical and current trends
    B.  Global stratification issues
V. Sexual Orientation
    A.  Historical and current trends
    B.  Discrimination
VI. Crime and Criminal Justice
    A.  The criminal justice system
    B.  Street crime
    C.  White collar and corporate crime
VII. Environmental Social Problems
    A.  Domestic issues
    B.  Globalization and environmental problems
VIII. Economic Social Problems
    A.  Work and the workplace
    B.  Unemployment
    C.  Globalization trends
    D.  Deindustrialization and the rise of information technology
IX. Education
    A.  Inequalities of funding and segregation
    B.  Academic performance issues
    C.  Governmental responses and directions
X. Health and Mental Health
    A.  Health care delivery system
    B.  Mental health care delivery system
    C.  Health and diversity issues
    D.  Medicalization of social problems

Assignments:
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1. Weekly reading (20-40 pages)  
2. Exams (2-4) and a final exam based on readings and lectures
3. A written term paper of 1250-2500  words demonstrating the ability to analyze a social problem sociologically and to use sociological research methods
 
Additional assignments may include:
1. Topical news analysis journal
2. Oral presentations
3. Group projects

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.
Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.Writing
40 - 60%
Term paper, Journal, Forum posts, or other short writing assignments
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.Problem Solving
0 - 0%
None
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.Skill Demonstrations
0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.Exams
40 - 60%
Essay Exams, Completion
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.Other Category
0 - 20%
Oral presentations, group projects


Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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Social Problems. 7th edition. Leon-Guerrero, Anna. Sage. 2022
Social Problems. 13th edition. Eitzen, Stanley; Baca Zinn, Maxine; and Eitzen, Kelly E. Pearson. 2014 (Classic)
Social Problems. A Down to Earth Approach. 13th edition. Henslin, James. Pearson. 2020
Social Problems in a Diverse Society. 7th edition. Kendall, Diana. Pearson. 2019

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