Social Problems

Catalog description

Credits 3. 3 Lecture Hours. Understand how certain social conditions come to be labeled as “social problems” and recognize the influence of research, policymakers, the media and public perception; explore various social topics and examine research on issues that affect many lives, enhancing our critical thinking, ethical understanding and civic awareness; cultivate key skills such as an awareness of others' beliefs and ability to analyze drivers of behavior, evaluate policy and program options, including trade-offs to real-life problems, and communicate findings to varied professional audiences; use qualitative and quantitative data to assess patterns and convey information; drawing connections between social theory and real-world issues may require addressing challenging topics, but engaging in these discussions respectfully in a structured classroom setting with guided discussion promotes understanding. In line with the American Sociological Association, sociology is the study of social life, social change and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Sociologists investigate the structure of groups, organizations and societies and how people interact within these contexts. Since all human behavior is social, the subject matter of sociology ranges from the intimate family to global communities; from deviance to organized crime; from religious traditions to state institutions; and from the divisions of race, gender and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture. The specific social problems studied and readings assigned may vary depending on the instructor’s areas of focus and research expertise.