Social Problems (Sociology 2031)
Fall 2006
Instructor: Tara Opsal
Email:
opsal@colorado.edu
Class Hours:
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
Class Location:
RAMY N1B23
Office hours:
Monday from 9 to 11
Office: Ketchum 409
Information in this syllabus is subject to change at my discretion.
Any changes will be announced in
class.
About the Course
This course is an introduction to the sociological
perspective on social problems. We are
socialized through institutions like education, family, and media to view
social problems like crime or poverty using a psychological or individual based
lens. In other words, we often look to
the individuals who are affected by the social problem and their behavior in order
to explain the problem. Sociologists, however,
contend that we cannot understand the existence of social problems simply by
looking at individual-level behavior.
Rather, in order to fully understand the problem and how to solve it, we need to examine larger structural, cultural,
and historical forces. In this course,
we will explore social problems using this sociological understanding.
Learning Objectives
During the course of this class, you will:
- Learn
about social problems facing contemporary
- Define,
understand, and apply the sociological perspective to social problems
- Understand
why some social conditions become defined as social problems while others
do not
- Learn
about how different communities and countries work on solving social
problems and evaluate these
solutions
- Develop
your ability to view social problems with various perspectives so you can
become a more critical consumer of these and your own views
Required Texts
Konradi, Amanda and Martha Schmidt. 2004.
Eitzen, Stanley D.
2007. Solutions to Social Problems: Lessons From Other Societies. 4th Edition.
Gonnerman, Jennifer.
2004. Life on the Outside. Picador.
In addition, you will find some of the readings on WebCT.
Class Policies and
Practices
Classroom Discussion: In class, we will
use discussion as a way to learn and process some of the material. In sociology classes, we often talk about
topics that are considered sensitive or “politicized” subjects (like racism,
sexism, heterosexism, etc...). Because
this is the case, it is necessary that we remain respectful of each other. Diversity of ideas is welcome in this
classroom while disrespect towards one another is not.
WebCT: I will use WebCT to post announcements, the
reading schedule, and other class-related material and information. I will not usually announce new posts made to
WebCT in class; therefore it is your responsibility to remain aware of new
posts made to the site. I recommend checking
in to the class page (at minimum) several times each week. You can access WebCT at
https://webct.colorado.edu.
Email and Office Hours:
Please use my office hours, as opposed to before or after class, as a time
to ask questions, review material, and have your individual needs thoroughly
met. My office is tucked up in the very
top floor of Ketchum. In order to find
it, I suggest using the west entrance and west staircase of Ketchum. Once you think you can’t go up anymore,
you’ll go up the smaller set of stairs in the west hallway. If my office hours do not work with your
schedule, email me to set up an appointment.
Make sure that you allow sufficient time to make an appointment. Also allow sufficient time for me to respond
to questions you send via email. Keep in
mind that I generally do not check email on the weekend or in the evening. Finally, I cannot send out grades over email
so please come to my office hours if you have questions about your grades. This is a university policy because
university email is considered public record.
Appealing a Grade: I will be happy to reconsider a grade you receive that you believe does not represent the quality of your work. In order for this to happen, I need you to submit the original graded assignment or test question and answer with a typed letter that briefly explains why you do not believe the grade you received reflects the work you submitted. Please submit these items to me in class or office hours within one week of the original day I hand the work back.
Cheating and
Plagiarism: Cheating of any kind
will be grounds for an automatic F in this course.
Grading and
Evaluation
No late work is accepted except in the cases of documented
emergencies. Please see me during my
office hours if you think this exception applies to you.
Letter of introduction:
As a way for me to get to know all of you, please submit a letter of
introduction to me by September 1.
Please see WebCT for details on the information I’d like you to address
in this letter.
Tests: You will
take three tests for this class: two during the semester and one final
exam. Everything that we address in
class (information I give you, movies, discussions, etc…) and the readings are
game for the exams. There will be an
in-class and out of class portion for the two tests during the semester. The in-class portion will consist of multiple
choice and short answer questions while the take home portion will consist of
an essay question. The final exam will
be an in-class test made up of multiple choice questions, short answer
questions, and an essay question. A
missed exam will result in a grade of 0.
There will be no alternative times to take the final exam unless you
provide written proof before October 6 (this is a university deadline so follow
it for your other classes as well) that you have more than three final exams in
one 24-hour period.
In-class reading reflections:
Twelve times during the semester (about once a week), I will present you with
one or two questions in class and ask you to reflect on one of the readings due
that day in class. You cannot use reading
notes to answer these questions; in order to do well on these reflections it is
important that you are well acquainted with the readings due that day before
you come to class. Ten of these
reflections will count towards your grade which means you can drop your two
lowest grades (or the reflections you missed because you were sick, etc…). I will not announce before hand when these
reflections will happen. You must be in
class in order to complete these assignments.
Participation
in the course: Your active
participation in this class is important to both your learning experience and
to creating an interesting, thought-provoking class. Therefore, part of your grade will be based
upon your active participation in the class.
To me, active participation means attending class regularly, showing up
on time, making regular (i.e. daily) contributions to class discussions,
actively participating in small group work, and being respectful to me and your
classmates. You must work to earn these
points! There are also some very easy
ways for this grade to be negatively impacted.
If you regularly miss class, come to class late, pack up early,
participate in side conversations with other students while I am talking or
while other students are talking, or are otherwise disruptive this portion of
your grade will be significantly impacted. Although I will not actually take roll, I
will get to know your general attendance and participation patterns throughout
the semester; I will base this part of your grade on those observations and on
in-class small group write-ups I will occasionally ask you to turn in. I
realize that this component of the class will undoubtedly make some of you who
are uncomfortable speaking up in groups apprehensive. If this is the case it is important to come
and talk with me in person during my office hours by the second week of class
so we can talk about alternative ways for you to accomplish the goals of this
portion of your grade.
Extra Credit: There
will be an opportunity to receive extra credit for this class. This assignment is not required and it is up
to you if you would like to complete it.
Completing this assignment has the potential to raise your grade one
“step.” For example, if you have a B in
the course and receive a 100% on the assignment, the extra credit could raise
your grade to a B+. More details will
come later in the semester.
Grade Breakdown
Letter of introduction 10
points September 1
Test 1 80 points September 25
Test 2 110 points November 3
Final Test 110
points December 21 (
In-class reading reflections 150 points Given 12 times throughout
semester (10
count towards
your grade)
In-class participation/Attendance 40 points Calculated
throughout semester
Total 500 points
University Policies
The university has policies about …
Behavior: Students
and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning
environment. Students who fail to adhere
to behavioral standards may be subject to discipline. Graduate Instructors have the professional
responsibility to treat students with understanding, dignity and respect, to
guide classroom discussion and set reasonable limits on the manner in which
students express opinions.
Cheating: All students of the University of Colorado Boulder
Disabilities: If you qualify for accommodations because of
a disability please submit a letter to me from Disability Services by September 13th so that your
needs may be addressed. Disability Services determines accommodations based on
documented disabilities (303-492-8671, Willard 322, www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices).
Religious
Observances: If you have a religious
event that conflicts with the course schedule, you should let me know at least
two weeks in advance so we can make arrangments.
Sexual Harassment: The