Sociology 202
Contemporary Social Problems
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 1-1:55pm & 3-3:55pm
Instructor: Dr. Leslie Cintron
Course Overview:
The main goals of the course are:
· to introduce students to various sociological perspectives on social problems.
· to help students develop the skills needed to read, write and think critically and analytically about complex social issues.
· to cultivate an understanding of the complexities of American social problems and a sensitivity to the problems faced by individuals and groups in our society.
· to assist students in developing the ability to identify, define, and investigate social problems and to propose ways of dealing with them.
Required Texts:
The readings below are the required texts for the course. These can be purchased at either the W&L University Bookstore or your friendly neighborhood or web bookstore. These will also be available on reserve at Leyburn Library:
Explanation of Course Requirements:
The course consists of lectures and class discussions. The lectures are meant to supplement rather than replace the readings. As a result, students are expected to attend the lectures, read assigned texts prior to our class discussions, and attend and actively participate in class discussions.
Class Discussions: Students are required to attend and actively participate in the weekly class discussions. These are an opportunity to learn from each other and to reflect on the themes in both the readings and lectures. It is imperative that you complete the weekly reading prior to attending the class discussion.
Class Discussion-leading: Each student will be asked to do one short (5-10 minutes) overview of the key themes and concepts for one week’s readings. Discussants will also prepare 3-5 questions that will help generate class discussion and they will lead the discussions in both the class and on the course website for that week. One of the discussion questions should be posted on the course website by 5pm two days prior (usually a Wednesday) to our class discussion. Sign-up for the presentation and discussion leading will take place in class on Monday, September 13th.
Blackboard Online Discussion: Each week every student will be required to post at least one response message on the Blackboard Online Discussion for Soc202 by 7pm one day prior (usually a Thursday) to our class discussion. These messages should be 2-3 paragraphs, carefully-constructed and cogent responses to the question raised by the discussion-leader(s) and should reflect a thoughtful analysis of the week’s readings.
Mid-term Examination: There will be one mid-term exam given on Monday, October 25th, 2004. The exam will cover the lectures, assigned readings, discussions and films/documentaries for the first half of the term.
Final Examination: The final exam is not cumulative. It will cover the lectures, assigned readings, discussions and films/documentaries from the second half of the semester. The final exam is scheduled for Monday, December 13th, 2004.
Research Exercise and Class Debate: In Week 11 students will complete a short research exercise and join in a debate about a selected topic related to Drugs and Alcohol. More information about the exercise and debate will be given out in Week 9.
Service Learning Option: In conjunction with the Shepherd Poverty Center Program students can opt to do 20 hours of community service (2 hours per week) during the term. Students choosing this option will act as participant observers, learning more about a social problem that affects the local community. In addition to making presentation about their learning experience to the class, students will write a reflective paper (approximately 8 pages) on their experience using one or more of the sociological perspectives that they learned about in class.
· Important: Students must contact the Center so they can be matched with a volunteer organization. Students interested in the Service Learning Option are advised to register their interest by emailing Avery Gholston, Service-Learning Coordinator for the Shepherd Poverty Program, at GHOLSTONA@wlu.edu before 12pm on Monday, September 13th, 2004.
Research Paper: Students not choosing the Service Learning Option are required to write a research paper that examines in-depth a social problem or issue of their choosing. Papers should be approximately 12-15 pages in length. More information about the research papers will be provided as the term progresses.
Student Presentations: All students (those doing the Service Learning Option as well as those writing research papers) will present their research to the class at the end of term. The presentations will be approximately 10-15 minutes will be an opportunity for everyone to learn from each other about the various social problems studied.
Final grades are determined as follows:
Class participation 15%
Research/class debate exercise 5%
Research Presentation 5%
Course Schedule:
Reading:
Reading:
Reading:
Reading:
Reading:
*October 15: No Class. Undergraduate Reading Day*
Reading:
Reading:
*October 25: Mid-term Exam*
Reading:
Reading:
Week 10 11/8-11/12 Health and Illness; Aging
Reading:
*November 19th: Research Exercise Due; Class Debate*
Reading:
No class this week. Have a great Thanksgiving!
*Please note that our class discussion is on Wednesday 12/1 and Student Presentations start Friday, 12/3.*
Reading:
*December 13: Final Exam.*