Sociological Analysis of Social Problems: Readings

Sociological Analysis of Social Problems
920:103:03
Tues. & Thurs. 3:20pm-4:40pm
Tillett Hall 257
Fall 2015
Instructor: Monique Porow, Ph.D.

Office Hours: Tuesday 5:00pm-6:00pm and by appointment
Email: [email protected]
Sakai Site: SOC ANAL SOCIAL PROB 03 F15
Readings:
There are no required textbooks for this course.

For each topic covered, I will post your reading(s) on Sakai. They can be found under the
resources tab. It is your responsibility to do the assigned reading(s) and come prepared to
discuss them in class. You are responsible for all of the readings posted in Sakai.
Course Description:
This course will introduce the student to an analytical framework through which social
problems can be viewed. While utilizing this framework, we will attempt to analyze a
wide variety of phenomena which are perceived and labeled problematic, and will
examine institutions in our country that are presently in crisis. We will approach these
“social problems” as social facts, however, we will also examine the process by which
certain groups define such phenomena as matters of public concern.
for example, employees or people interested in purchasing a product or requesting your service. You can
compile a mailing lis from business reply cards,customer information sheets, business cards collected at
Course Objectives:
trade shows, or membership lists. You might consider purchasing a mailing list from a company.
If you explore the Publisher catalog, you will find many publications that match the style of your
Class will be structured around active student
newsletter.
participation rather than instructor lectures. Recognizing
Next,
that establish
differenthow much learn
students time and
bestmoney you canways,
in different spendaon your newsletter. These factors will help
determine how frequently you publish the newsletter
mixed method approach will be utilized. This will and its length. It’s recommended that you publish
your newsletter at least quarterly so that it’s considered
include a combination of readings, reading responses, a consistent source of information. Your
customers or employees will look forward to its arrival.
films, discussion, and in-class activities to explore the
material. Each week we will analyze a “social problem.”
While exploring each social problem, I will facilitate the
process of each student:
 Becoming familiarized with issues of social

justice across local and global contexts.
The following are the categories of the
 Understanding the bases and development of curriculum that are satisfied by this
human and societal endeavors across time and course:
place. st
 Identifying and critically assessing ethical issues --21 Century Challenges
in social science and history. --Social and Historical Analysis
 Applying concepts about human and social
behavior to particular questions or situations.
2
Course Requirements & Grading Policy:
Exam #1-30% A: 91%-100%

Exam #2-30% B+: 85%-90.99%
Reading responses-20% B: 80%-84.99%
In-class activities-10% C+: 75%-79.99%
Participation-10% C: 70%-74.99%
------------------------------------- D: 60%-69.99%
Total- 100% F: 0%-59.99%
Exam #1 (30%)-This closed- Exam#2 (30%)-This closed-

book exam will be worth 30% book exam will be worth 30%
of your grade. The exam will of your grade. The exam will
cover all of the material from cover all of the material from
assigned readings, lectures, assigned readings, lectures,
films, and classroom films and classroom
discussions given prior to the Reading responses (20%)- discussions after the
exam. Students are expected to midterm. This exam is not
post a 200-400 word cumulative.
response to the reading(s).
The reading response is due
by 12:00pm on Tuesday
In-class activities (10%)- unless otherwise indicated
This will include assignments on Sakai and should be
posted in the “assignments” Participation (10%)-Class is
given during class that will
section of Sakai. The details structured around active
require students to
for this assignment will be student participation,
demonstrate an
posted in Sakai. These therefore students need to
understanding of the
assignments are required engage the material in some
readings. These assignments
will attempt to assess and worth one point each. form or another. Those who
whether students grasp basic Three assignments will be do not exercise appropriate
concepts from the readings graded at random and worth “discussion etiquette” or
as well as the lectures. four points each. “classroom demeanor” can
These activities may take expect to be penalized in this
place in groups. portion of their grade.
Sakai: It is your responsibility to check Sakai for your readings and grades. You will also post your
reading responses in the assignment section of Sakai. In the event that I need to send an announcement 3
to the entire class, I will use Sakai to send that message. It is your responsibility to make sure that the
email address listed is your current email address.
Class notes: In the event that you miss class for any reason, obtain the class notes from a classmate. I
will not provide class notes to students who are unable to attend class.
Missed assignments: Make-up exams and make-up assignments will only be given in the case of
documented emergencies. This means that in order to make up an assignment, you will need to provide
documentation. This applies to every assignment in this course, including in-class activities. Furthermore,
any student who does not take either exam will automatically fail the course.
Extra credit assignments will not be given to poorly performing students.
Email: Students may email me with questions and/or concerns during the semester. However, it is the
student’s responsibility to determine whether I have already provided the desired information in class, on
the syllabus, or on Sakai. In other words, before emailing me, make sure that you can’t answer your own
question with information that I have already made available to you.
Also, every email should have “920:103:03” in the subject line and include an appropriate greeting and
closing in the body of the email. I will not respond to email that are not formatted accordingly. Also, you
should expect a response between 24-48 hours of your email.
Discussion Etiquette: It is important that students feel comfortable expressing their thoughts about the
topics that are discussed in class. These topics can be controversial at times, and many students often
have strong feelings with which other students may not agree. Respect for fellow classmates is a
requirement, and you are expected to be courteous at all times. To ensure that every student has the
best experience possible, listen objectively, and respond respectfully. The opportunity to share diverse
perspectives enhances the learning environment!
Demeanor: Fortunately, most students understand what they are here for and how to conduct themselves
in a college-level class. Unfortunately, some don’t. When I close the door to begin class, I expect that
private conversations will end and I will have your attention for the duration of the class. Among the things
that should not occur during class: sleeping, private conversations, or generally disruptive behavior. This
includes the use of cell phones to make or receive calls or text messages, as well as surfing the internet
on your laptop. These behaviors will affect your participation grade, even if you contribute to
classroom discussion.
Academic Integrity: For whatever reason, the academic integrity of a student can occasionally come into
question. In order to prevent this from occurring, please adhere to the University’s policy on plagiarism.
Cheating and plagiarizing on assignments forces me to take necessary steps to report this behavior to the
Dean of Students. This is something I sincerely do not want to do, but will do if necessary. Here is a link
to the university’s current policy on academic integrity:
http://academicintegrity.rutgers.edu/files/documents/AI_Policy_9_01_2011.pdf
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!! If you are having

a problem, please come talk to me. Don’t wait until it is too late for
me to help you. I can be reached via email or during my office
hours. Whether your problem is pertaining to my class, or another
issue, I am sincerely more than happy to help you in any way that I
can. Teaching is more than a job for me, however, once you have
failed every assignment it is too late for an “intervention.”
4
Reading Schedule
Week 1- Sociological perspectives on social problems
Tues. 9/1
Thurs. 9/3
Week 2- Problems of health and healthcare

Tues. 9/8-No class-Monday class designation
Thurs. 9/10
Week 3- The drug problem

Tues. 9/15
Thurs. 9/17
Week 4 – The criminal justice system

Tues. 9/22
Thurs.9/24
Week 5– Poverty
Tues. 9/29
Thurs. 10/1
Week 6- Economic inequality

Tues. 10/6
Thurs. 10/8
Week 7- Race as a process

Tues. 10/13-Exam#1
Thurs. 10/15
Week 8- Race as a process (cont.) & Systemic racism

Tues. 10/20
Thurs. 10/22
Week 9- Systemic racism

Tues. 10/27
Thurs. 10/29
5
Week 10- Gender as a process

Tues. 11/3
Thurs. 11/5
Week 11- Gender as stratification

Tues. 11/10
Thurs. 11/12
Week 12- Heteronormativity

Tues. 11/17
Thurs. 11/19
Week 13- Heteronormativity

Tues. 11/24
Thurs. 11/26-Thanksgiving-No Class
Week 14- Problems of education

Tues. 12/1
Thurs. 12/3- Class Cancelled
Week 15- Semester wrap-up

Tues. 12/8
Thurs. 12/10-Exam #2
I look forward to a great semester!!!

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Sociological Analysis of Social Problems

Instructor: Monique Porow, Ph.D.

There are no required textbooks for this course.

 Becoming familiarized with issues of social

Exam #1-30% A: 91%-100%

Exam #1 (30%)-This closed- Exam#2 (30%)-This closed-

Extra credit assignments will not be given to poorly performing students.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!! If you are having

Week 2- Problems of health and healthcare

Week 3- The drug problem

Week 4 – The criminal justice system

Week 6- Economic inequality

Week 7- Race as a process

Week 8- Race as a process (cont.) & Systemic racism

Week 9- Systemic racism

Week 10- Gender as a process

Week 11- Gender as stratification

Week 12- Heteronormativity

Week 13- Heteronormativity

Week 14- Problems of education

Week 15- Semester wrap-up

I look forward to a great semester!!!

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