WEEK

LECTURE THEMES

TEXTS

WEB SITE

1

What are some sociological perspectives on social problems?

Ch. 1 + Reading 1

Problem Area 1: General Sociology, Applied Sociology, and Social Problems

2

Ch. 2 + Reading 2

Problem Area 1 cont’d

3

What are problems of social inequality? How are political and economic inequality a problem in the U.S. and globally? How are terrorism and warfare social problems?

Chs. 3 and 14

Problem Area 4: Economic and Political Inequality–U.S. and Global

4

What are some problems in patterns of poverty and work in the U.S.?

Chs. 4 and 9 + Reading 4

Problem Area 11: Problems of Poverty and Work

Assessments: Test on themes/chapters/readings weeks 1-4
6 Online Activities and Cross-Cultural Perspectives from Problem Areas 1, 4, and 11
Proposal for term paper, social action project, or multimedia presentation due

5

What are problems of racial and ethnic inequality?

Ch. 5 + Readings 5

Problem Area 12: Problems of Racial and Ethnic Inequality

6

Video 2: The Social Construction of Gender

Ch. 6 + Reading 6, 7

Problem Area 8: Problems of Gender Inequality and Problem Area 2: Aging Society and Inequalities of Age

7

How is crime a social problem? What are the correlates of violent crime? How does the criminal justice system both address and contribute to social problems?

Ch. 7

Problem Area 3: Crime, Violence, Drugs, and the Criminal Justice System

8

Video 3: Biodiversity and Genetic Engineering

Chs. 8 and 15 + Reading 8

Problem Area 6: Environmental Quality as a Social Problem

Assessments: Midterm on themes/chapters/readings weeks 1-8
6 "What Are Your Solutions?" essays for Problem Areas 2, 3, 6, 8, 12, 14
Critical Thinking Questions for Videos 1-3
Status or progress report due on paper, project, or presentation

9

What social and economic changes challenge families? How is family violence a problem? What are some solutions to family-related problems?

Ch. 9 + Reading 9

10

How do social institutions such as education, religion, and medicine both reflect and address social problems? What are some impacts of institutional policies?

Chs. 11 and 12

Problem Area 9: Problems of Health, Illness, and Health Care Delivery

11

Why is population growth a problem and what social policies have addressed this problem? What problems past and present have arisen from population migrations?

Ch. 10 + Reading 10

Problem Area 10: Problems of Population, Immigration, and Urbanization

12

What special social problems do urban populations have? What problems affect cities globally, and what are some solutions? What are some problems of globalization?

Ch. 13

Problem Area 10: Problems of Population, Immigration, and Urbanization cont’d

Assessments: Term paper, social action project impact statement, or multimedia presentation due
Where Do You Stand?" debates
Online Study Guide assessments for Problem Areas 5, 7, 9, and 10
Final Exam on themes/chapters/readings for weeks 9-12