CATALOG DESCRIPTION: This course objectively presents major research findings on social problems from abortion, war, prostitution and pornography to poverty and racism. This course should enable students to gain a sociological understanding not only of the social problems, but also of their own backgrounds and opinions with which they enter the course. As the course progresses, the social forces that have shaped the social problems should become more visible to you as well as the factors that have shaped your own views on those problems. If I am successful, You should find yourselves content when you encounter views which you are in disagreement and uncomfortable with. This should hold true for students of all persuasions, whether "radical", "liberal", "conservative" or whatever labels are current. It should make for a more exciting class. Each chapter ends with views on social policy and the future of the problem. For these reasons I, included as part of the curriculum major SYG 2000 "Principles of Sociology" as the prerequisite for this course. Major subject areas to be covered include the following:

Course Project/Paper/Presentation: I will be giving handouts detailing different issues that may be considered Social Problems. You are to read the handout(s), analyze the issue, and be prepared to discuss it with the class at the appropriate chapter content dealing with your issue. The only way to qualify for a grade of "A" (and this is not guaranteed) is completion of the project. Noncompletion of the assisgned and discussed project will result in a grade no higher than 90 or letter grade of "B" and possibly less, regardless of what you score on the Midterm and Final exams.

Class Schedule: Mondays & Wednesdays, Time: 1200 – 1:15PM Place: SS105

Required Text: Social Problems, John J. Macionis. 2nd Ed., 2005 Prerequisite Course: SYG 2000 Principles of Sociology

Course Credit Hours: 3 Semester Hours

Grading Scale: 10 Point Grading System: 90 – 100 = A, 80 –89 = B, 70 - 79 = C, 60-69 = D, Below 60 = F

Grade Percentage: Final Exam = 40%, Mid-Term Exam=30%, Term Paper= 20%, Additional assignments are bonus points for a maximum of 10 and will be averaged into your final grade. Late reports will not be accepted. Hint - Make backup copies.

1.  What is a social problem?

2.  The natural history of social problems

3.  The role of sociology in social problems

4.   Summary

Chap 2: Interpreting social problems: Aging

1. Sociological theories from the perspective of symbolic interactionism

2. Social Problems from the perspective of functionalism

3. Social Problems from the perspective of social conflict

4. The future of the problem - the pendulum swings

5. Summary

PART 11 -VIOLATION OF NORMS

Chap 3: Sexual deviance and sexual deviants

1. Sexual deviance and social problems

2. Prostitution

3. Homosexuality - background, theoretically (social conflict), research

4. Pornography - background, theoretically (symbolic interactionism) controversy

5. Social policy

6. The future of the problem

7. Summary

MIDTERM EXAMINATION - Chaps 1-5

Chap 5: Violence in society - Rape and Murder

1. The problem in sociological perspective

2. Looking at the problem theoretically

3. Research findings

4. Rape - history, social patterns, probing the rapist, unreported rapes, reactions

5. Murder - social patterns, social basis, television and violence

6. Summary

Chap 6: Crime and Criminal Justice

1. Sociological perspective

2. Scope

3. Looking at the problem theoretically

5 The criminal justice as a problem

6. Summary

Chap 8: Race and ethnic relations

2. Scope

3. Looking at the problem theoretically

4. Research Findings

5. Encouraging pluralism - preventing ethnic discrimination

I6. mproving ethnic relations

7. Summary

Chapter 9 - Sex Discrimination

1. The problem in Sociological Perspective

2. The scope of the problem

3. Looking at the Problem Theoretically

4. Research Findings

5. The question of natural differences between the sexes

a. Discrimination in Everyday Life

b. Discrimination in Education

c. The Mass Media

6. The Worlds of Politics and The Workforce

7. Sexual Harassment

8. Violence Against women

9. Summary

Chapter 11 - The Changing Family

The Problem in a Sociological Perspective

The Scope of the Problem

Looking at it theoretically

Research Findings

Cohabitation and the Changing Age at First marriage

Childlessness

Family Violence

Sexual Abuse in the Family

Old Age and Widowhood

The Death of the Family

5. Summary