Social Problems

DESCRIPTION:
Poverty, racism, drugs, unemployment, homelessness, family violence, mental illness, anti-social behavior, terrorism and collective violence. Why are these problems social? How are they given meaning and what are the implications of such meaning? What are their social causes? Conflicts between sociological perspectives. What are the implications of social problems for social policy?

RATIONALE: 
An examination of social problems, their definition, meaning and actions to alleviate them, sensitizes students to the ways they make sense of themselves and those around them in a global environment.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: 
As a result of taking this course, student should be able to:
1. Identify a social problem and define what is social about it
2. Distinguish between common sense and sociological approaches to social problems
3. Demonstrate understanding of the social construction of social problems and how certain social constructions become dominant
4. List examples of changes in the world as a result of the way we think about it.
5. Apply different theoretical perspectives to explain social problems and propose possible solutions or steps towards mitigating these problems.

METHOD OF TEACHING AND LEARNING:
In congruence with the teaching and learning strategy of the college, the following tools are used:
- Classes consist of lectures, discussions of selected issues, showing of video documentaries and in-class illustrations of various issues.
- Office hours: students are encouraged to make full use of the office hours of their lecturer, where they can address issues and ask questions pertinent to the course material.
- Use of a blackboard site, where instructors post lecture notes, assignment instructions, timely announcements, as well as additional resources.