ATLANTA METROPOLITAN COLLEGE
The Division of Social Sciences
Course Outline for
SOCI 1160 Spring 2010
Credit Hours 3
Course Title Introduction
to Social Problems
Prerequisites Exit
from Learning Support English and Reading
Instructor Michelle
Geisert, MA
Office S156 Hours M/W
11:00-12:00, T/R 12:30-1:30 and by appointment
Phone 404-756-4711
mail: mgeisert@atlm.edu
Catalog Description
This course consists
of a theoretical and empirical analysis of selected major social problems confronting American society.
Course Goals
Students read material
and analyze explanations for conflict and order in culture, groups, gender, race and ethnicity, relationships, marriages,
and family forms worldwide, including biological, sociocultural, historical, and religious components. Students investigate
current and historical issues utilizing their own experiences, and integrating these aspects in order to make connections
across national, regional, cultural, and gender lines and develop steps that can be taken to improve communication and problem
solving.
Required Textbook
Eitzen, D. Stanley
and Zinn, Maxine Baca. 2006. Social Problems(10th edition). Boston,
MA: Pearson Education, Inc. ISBN: 0-205-44969-7
Learning Outcomes
1. Personal/Social
Development
Successful students
will:
a. Familiarize
themselves with current and
historical social
problems.
b. Be able to
understand and appreciate the diversity and
commonalities among world cultures.
2. Oral Proficiency
Successful students
will:
a. Demonstrate confidence
in ability to communicate orally and on
paper
b. Contribute constructively
to class discussion.
c. Use terminology
appropriate to the Social Sciences.
3. Reading Proficiency
Successful students
will:
a. Use a dictionary
for unfamiliar terminology.
b. Draw inferences
and generalize from material presented in textbook.
d. See similarities
and differences in their views and the views of the author/s.
4. Writing Proficiency
Successful students
will:
a. Conduct scholarly
research utilizing appropriate sources and technology that focuses on historical, current, and global positions.
b. Formulate and express
thesis topic.
c. Provide adequate
support for topic.
d. Develop papers with
a clear focus, logic and order.
e. Understand the difference
between plagiarism and paraphrasing and quoting as well as write and cite sources according to professional guidelines.
f. Use words, sentences
and paragraphs that are complete, clear, correct, and concise.
g. Proofread for grammar
and spelling.
Course Content
The following activities
will take place in the course:
a. Lecture and discussion
of assigned readings.
b. Writing assignments
appropriate to readings and projects.
c. In class group projects.
d. Examinations
Grading System
Exam I 30
Exam II 30
Exam III 30
Exam IV
30
Project
15
Assignments/Participation 15
Total points 150
Percentages and Point Totals
90% and above (135-150 pts) = A
80-89% (120-134 pts)
= B
70-79% (105-119 pts)
= C
60-69% (90-104 pts)
= D
Below 60% (0-89 pts) =
F
Content Outline (Any changes to the course schedule will be announced
in class.)
PART 1: POLITICAL ECONOMY OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS
Chapter 1: Sociological Approach to Social Problems
Chapter 2: Wealth and Power: The Bias of the System
PART 2: PROBLEMS OF PEOPLE, THE ENVIRONMENT, AND LOCATION
Chapter 3: World Population and Global Inequality
Chapter 4: Threats to the Environment
Chapter 5: Demographic Changes in the United States
PART 3 PROBLEMS OF INEQUALITY
Chapter 7: Poverty
Chapter 8: Racial and Ethnic Inequality
Chapter 9: Gender Inequality
Chapter 10: Sexual Orientation
PART 4 SOCIAL STRUCTURE AND INDIVIDUAL DEVIANCE
Chapter 12: Crime and Justice
PART 5 INSTITUTIONAL PROBLEMS
Chapter 15: Families
Chapter17: Health and Health Care Delivery
Policies
1. Make-up Exams: Since the exams in this class are take-home exams,
no make-up exams are provided.
2. Additional Assignments: Outside assignments/exams are due when assigned and acceptance of late assignments is at
the discretion of the instructor. Students who know in advance they will miss a class should email the assignment no later
than the beginning of class period on the due date. In class group assignments CANNOT be made up.
3. Attendance: Attendance
is strongly encouraged and affects one's grade. Group activities occur in class, receive participation points, and
may not be made up.
4. Students are ultimately responsible for ensuring that the courses in which
they enroll are included in the approved degree plan and program map for their program of study. Students must periodically check their enrollment status in
this course during the semester. The student is responsible for determining changes, if any, in enrollment status and taking
necessary steps (e.g. pursing re-instatement in this course) following the procedures outlined in the AMC catalog.
5. Problems related
to the grading policy for this course or other course management concerns should be first brought to the attention of the
professor for the course. However, a resolution of unsettled problems or concerns
may be pursued by following the grievance procedures outlined in the AMC Student Handbook and the Academic Catalog.
6. Cheating and
Plagiarism: Cheating is passing off someone else’s work as your own and includes copying exam answers, using notes
or books during examinations, and handing in someone else’s work. Plagiarism is the copying of materials directly from
a source without quotation marks and the appropriate citations. It is claiming another person’s work, ideas as your
own. If there is a suspicion of plagiarism, the students will be asked to submit notes and copies of research materials (books
and articles). Cheating and plagiarism is grounds for failure in this class and dismissal from AMC!
7. Although every attempt will be made to safeguard your
exam/assignments, the professor is not responsible for any exam/assignment handed in at a time other than with the rest of
the class.
8. Respectful decorum and attire is expected within the classroom.
If you must leave during class, or you come in late, please do so discreetly so as to not disrupt class. DO NOT come
to the front to pick up papers off my desk, or ask what's going on. Please turn cellphones
off /silent during class. Cellphones are not allowed during exams.
9. This is a college course and as such your behavior is
expected to be respectful of the professor and fellow classmates. If your behavior disrupts class it is possible to effect
your grade and you may be asked to leave the class permanently!
10. Procedure regarding long-term emergency closure of the college:
In the event of an emergency that forces the college to close for an extended
period, students must contact the instructor of this class within 48 hours
using the contact information (e.g., email address, VISTA 8 Access Code or telephone number) on the syllabus to obtain directions
for continuing the course. The instructor will provide directions for the
transmission and submission of course assignments and course assessments, including due dates.
The student is responsible for submitting
valid, accurate contact information, including an active AMC email address to the instructor by the end of the first week
of the course. Students can obtain an Atlanta Metropolitan College Student email address in the Academic Support Center on the
third floor of the Library Building.
If the instructor for the course cannot be reached within the specified period
of time (within 48 hours), the chair of the division responsible for the course
can be reached at the email address posted on the college’s website.
CLASS SCHEDULE
Week and Topic
Week 1 1/12 - 1/14
Introduction to the course
Week 2 1/19-1/21
Chapter 1: Sociological Approach to Social Problems
Chapter 2: Wealth and Power: The Bias
of the System
Week 3 1/26-1/28
Chapter 3: World Population and Global Inequality
Week 4
2/2-2/4
Tuesday 2/2 Test 1 Ch 1-3 due beginning of class
Chapter 4: Threats to the Environment
Week 5 2/9-2/11
Movie: An Inconvenient Truth
by Al Gore
Week 6 2/16-2/18
Chapter
5: Demographic Changes in the United States
Chapter 7: Poverty
Week 7 2/23-2/25
Tuesday 2/23 Test 2 ch 4, 5, 7 due the beginning of class
Chapter
8 Racial and Ethnic Inequality
Week 8 3/2-3/4
Movie: Movie: Remember the Titans or Crash
March 3 Midterm Last day to
drop with a grade of W
March 8-12 SPRING BREAK :)
Week 9 3/16-3/18
Chapter
9 Gender Inequality
Chapter 10: Sexual Orientation
Week 10
3/23-25
Movie: Kinsey
Week 11 3/30 - 4/1
Tuesday 3/30 Test 3 ch 8-10 due the beginning of class
Week 12
4/6-4/8
Chapter 12 Crime and Justice
Chapter 15 Families
Week 13 4/13-15
Movie: Bowling for Columbine
by Michael Moore
Week 14 4/20-4/22
Chapter 17 Health and Health Care Delivery
Movie: Sicko by Michael Moore
Week 15 4/28 Last day of class
Group
Presentations
Final Exam Week April
29-May 5
Test 4 (during final exam period) Ch 12,15, 17
Supplemental Material
American Sociological Association.(1984). "Code of Ethics." Washington D. C.
Babbie, Earl. (1995). The Practice of Social Research. 7th
Edition. Bemong CA:
Wadsworth.
Bernard, Jesse. (1972). His and Her Marriage. In John J. Macionis
and Nijole V. Benokraitis (eds.) Seeing Ourselves: Classic, Contemporary, and Cross-Cultural Readings in Sociology, 2nd edition, pp. 250-256. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Chamblilss, William J. (1973). The Saints and the Roughnecks. In
James M. Henslin (eds.) Down to Earth Sociology, 5th edition, pp. 33-37. NY: The Free Press.
Davis, Kingsley. (n.d.) Extreme Isolation. In James M. Henslin
(eds.) Down to Earth Sociology, 5th edition, pp. 72-80. NY: The Free Press.
Dorkenoo, Efua and Scilla Elworthy. (1992). Female Genital Mutilation.
In John J. Macionis and Nijole V. Benokraitis (eds.) Seeing Ourselves: Classic, Contemporary, and Cross-Cultural Readings in Sociology, 4th edition, pp. 382-389. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Edgerton, Robert B. (n.d.) Sick Societies. In James M. Henslin
(ed.) Down to Earth Sociology, 8th edition, pp. 347-354. New York:
The Free Press.
Fernea, Elizabeth W. and Robert A. Fernea (nd). A Look behind the
Veil. In Garth Massey (ed.) Readings for Sociology, 3rd edition, pp. 107-113. New York: W.W. Norton.
Friedan, Betty. (1993). My Quest for the Fountain of Age. In John
J. Macionis and Nijole V. Benokraitis (eds.) Seeing Ourselves: Classic, Contemporary, and Cross-Cultural Readings in Sociology, 4th edition, pp. 251-257. Englewood
Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Gupta, Giri Raj, Love, Arranged Marriage, and the Indian Social
Structure. (1979). In John J. Macionis and Nijole V. Benokraitis (eds.) Seeing Ourselves: Classic, Contemporary, and Cross-Cultural
Readings in Sociology, 2nd edition, pp. 262-270.
Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Hostetler, John A. (1980). Amish Society. Baltimore,
MD: Johns Hopkins
University Press.
Macionis, John J. (1997). Sociology. 6th Edition.
Upper Sandle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall,
Inc.
Mead, Margaret (1935). Sex and Temperament in Three Primitive Societies.
In John J. Macionis and Nijole V. Benokraitis (eds.) Seeing Ourselves: Classic, Contemporary, and Cross-Cultural Readings in Sociology, 3rd edition, pp. 209-214. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Miner, Horace. (1956). Body Ritual Among the Nacirema. In
James M. Henslin (eds.) Down to Earth Sociology, 5th edition, pp. 33-37. NY: The Free Press.
Mitford, Jessica. (1992). Fashions in Childbirth. In Sociology:
Exploring the Architecture of Everyday Life, 2nd Edition, pp. 74-84. Newman, David M. (ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Pine Forge Press.
Rosenhan, David. L. (1973). On Being Sane in Insane Places In James
M. Henslin (ed.) Down to Earth Sociology, 5th edition, pp. 239-250. NY: The Free Press.
Sidel, Ruth. (1996). Keeping Women and Children Last: America’s
War on the Poor. New York: Penguin.
Smith, Jane I. (1987). Women and Islam. In John J. Macionis and
Nijole V. Benokraitis (eds.) Seeing Ourselves: Classic, Contemporary, and Cross-Cultural Readings in Sociology, 4th edition, pp. 340-346. Englewood
Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Stack, Carol B. (1990). "Different Voices, Different Visions: Gender,
Culture, and Moral Reasoning." In Faye Ginsburg and Anna Lowenhaupt Tsing (eds.), Uncertain Terms: Negotiating Gender in
American Culture. Boston: Beacon Press, pp. 19-27.
Tannen, Deborah. (1990). You Just Don’t Understand: Women
and Men in Conversation. New York: Ballantine Books.
Thorne, Barrie. (1993). Boys and Girls Together…But Mostly
Apart. In Sociology: Exploring the Architecture of Everyday Life, 2nd Edition, pp. 102-113. Newman, David
M. (ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA:
Pine Forge Press.
Wolf, Naomi (1990). The Beauty Myth. In John J. Macionis and Nijole
V. Benokraitis (eds.) Seeing Ourselves: Classic, Contemporary, and Cross-Cultural Readings
in Sociology, 3rd edition, pp. 215-221. Englewood Cliffs,
NJ: Prentice Hall.
Zimbardo, Philip G. (1972). The Pathology of Imprisonment. In James
M. Henslin (eds.) Down to Earth Sociology, 5th edition, pp. 232-238 . NY: The Free Press.
Periodicals: Supplemental Reading
Blackwood, Evelyn. (1984). Sexuality and Gender in Certain Native
American Tribes: The Case of Cross-Gender Females. Signs, 10, 27-42.
Jacobs, J. (1993). Gender, race, class and the trend towards early
motherhood: A feminist analysis of teen mothers in contemporary society. Journal of Contemporary Ethnography, 22, 4,
442-462.
Riley, Nancy E. (1997). Gender, Power, and Population Change. Population
Bulletin, 52 (May): entire issue.
Simon, Rita J., Angela J. Scanlan, and Pamela Madell. (1993). Rabbis
and Ministers: Women of the Book and Cloth. Sociology of Religion, 54, 1, 115-122.
Sociologist’s for Women in Society. (1986). Facts about
Pay Equity. (April): entire issue.
Weitzmaq, Lenore J., Beborah Eifler, Elizabeth Hokkada, and Catherine
Ross. (1972). Sex-Role Socialization in Picture Books for Preschool Children. American Journal of Sociology, 77, 1125-1150.
West, Candance, and Don Zimmerman. (1987). Doing Gender. Gender
& Society, 1, 125-151.
Wright, Erik O., David Hachen, Cynthia Costello, and Joey Sprague.
(1982). The American Class Structure. (December). American Sociological Review, 47, 709-726.
Online resources
1. African-American Family History Texts Bibliography http://www.h-net.msu.edu/~women/bibs/bibl-aframerfam.html
2. African American-American Women
On-line Archival Collections
Special Collections Library, Duke University http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/collections/african-american-women.html
3. American Women’s Self Defense Association (AWSDA) http://www.awsda.org
4. Angela Shelton-Break the Silence http://www.searchingforangelashelton.com
5. Asian American Concerns and Issues http://janet.org/~ebihara/aacyber_concerns.html
6. Center for Multilingual, Multicultural Research: Native American
Resources http://www-bcf.edu/~cmmr/Native_American.html
7. Colonial Life: Redefining Family http://history.org/life/family/essay.htm
8. Dr. Phil http://drphil.com/
09. The Kinsey Reports http://www.kinseyinstitute.org/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinsey_Reports http://www.kinseyinstitute.org/resources/ak-hhscale.html
10. Life Innovations, Inc. http://prepare-enrich.com/
11. The National Latino Fatherhood and Family Institute http://www.nlffi.org/
12. Sociology web site http://www.sociology.wadsworth.com
13. U. S.
Department of Justice http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov
14. Unusual laws on
record http://www.dumblaws.com
