Social Problems

Catalog description

This course introduces students to the sociological study of social problems. A beginning assumption is that many social problems, while experienced individually, stem from the operation of society and its social policies. Such problems include social inequality based on race, ethnicity, gender, and age; the impact of social policies on poverty and wealth are also addressed. Problems of deviance and conformity include an analysis of crime and the criminal justice system, violence, sexuality, substance abuse and physical and mental health issues. The course also examines problems endemic to social institutions such as work and the economy, families, and education. Finally, the course also considers social problems from a global perspective, and emphasized global inequality, technology and the environment, and war and terrorism.