Syllabus

SOCY 2031: Social Problems

Fall 2006

M-F 11-11:50 AM, Hellums 201

Instructor: Allison Hicks

Office: Ketchum 35

Email: Allison.Hicks@colorado.edu

Phone: (303) 817-0040

*Email is the best way to get a hold of me

Office Hours: Wednesdays, 12-2pm

Campus Box: Sociology Department, HICKS

Sociology Department: Ketchum 220

Department Hours: Monday through Friday, 730am-430pm

Textbooks (The following books are available at the University Bookstore):

1995. Kozol, Jonathan. Amazing Grace. New York: Harper Perennial.

2001. Hallinan, Joseph. Going Up the River. New York: Random House.

2001. Ehrenreich. Barbara. Nickel and Dimed: On (not) Getting by in America. New York: Metropolitan.

2002. Kingsolver, Barbara. Small Wonder. New York: Harper Collins.

There will also be a number of short readings during the semester, marked in the syllabus as ‘e-reserves.’ These readings are available through electronic course reserve. To obtain these readings, you should do the following:

1. Open your web browser and go to http://libraries.colorado.edu/

2. Click on ‘e-Reserves/Course Reserves’ and then click on either ‘by instructor’ or ‘by course.’

3. Click on the reading listed on the syllabus; you can either read it on your computer or print a paper copy to read.

Course Description and Learning Objectives:

Sociology is the study of society and human interaction. We all have considerable experience living in society and interacting with other people. Sociology, however, is an unfamiliar way of looking at the familiar. The primary objective of this course is to help you develop your sociological imagination-that is, to provide you with the conceptual and theoretical tools that will allow you to examine virtually any subject from a sociological perspective. In this course we will be devoted to examining the relationship between individuals, communities, and social problems within a sociological framework.

My hope is that you will gain a fundamental sense of what the discipline of sociology is and how it approaches contemporary issues present within U.S. society. In addition, I hope that you will come away from the course with an understanding that the classroom is not divorced from reality, and the ability to see the relevance of sociological inquiry to your own life.

Expected Behavior:

Respect Yourself

• Arrive to class on time, well rested, having read the assigned readings and completed all assignments.
• Present your pertinent thoughts and questions to the class.
• Participate in all class discussions and activities.

Respect Others

• Listen attentively and openly to the other students and the instructor.
• Use constructive language; refrain from degrading comments and epithets.
• Avoid distractions such as newspapers, side-conversations, other class work and the like.
• Turn off all cell phones and pagers unless the instructor has given you specific permission to have them on vibrate mode. Permission will be granted only in extenuating circumstances.
• Pack your things and leave only after class has ended. If you need to leave early you must obtain permission prior to the end of class.

Respect this Place

• Clean your area before you leave.
• Dispose all trash and clutter in the appropriate receptacles.
• Return the furniture to its original arrangement if it has been moved.

Disability Statement:

If you have specific physical, psychiatric, or learning disabilities and require accommodations, please let me know during the first week of class so we may meet your needs appropriately. You will need to provide documentation of your disability to the Disability Services Office in Willard 322 (ph. 303-492-8671), or on the web at http://www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices

Accommodation for Religious Observances:

Please notify me as soon as possible if you recognize any conflict with test dates, assignment due dates, and/or class attendance that will occur as the result of religious observances. Notification must be made no later than one week prior to the date of conflict so that you and I have time to make other arrangements. I will do my best to accommodate your religious observance, possibly adjusting an assignment’s due date or the attendance requirement for the date missed due to religious reasons.

Disruptive Classroom 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 disciplinary action. Graduate Instructors have the professional responsibility to treat students with understanding, dignity and respect, to guide classroom discussion and to set reasonable
limits on the manner in which students express opinions. See campus policies at
www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html   and
www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/judicialaffairs/code.html#student

Academic Integrity:

All students of the University of Colorado at Boulder are responsible for knowing and adhering to the academic integrity policy of this institution. Violations of this policy may include: cheating, plagiarism, and aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and threatening behavior.  All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the Honor Code Council. Students who are found to be in violation of the academic integrity policy will be subject to both academic sanctions from the faculty member and non-academic sanctions (including but not limited to university probation, suspension, or expulsion). Other information on the Honor Code can be found at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/honor.html

Policy on Sexual Harassment:

The University of Colorado Policy on Sexual Harassment applies to all students, staff and faculty.  Sexual harassment is unwelcome sexual attention.  It can involve intimidation, threats, coercion, or promises that create an environment that is hostile or offensive. Harassment may occur between members of the same or opposite gender and between any combinations of members in the campus community: students, faculty, staff, and administrators. Harassment can occur anywhere on campus, including the classroom, the workplace, or a residence hall.  Any student, staff or faculty member who believes s/he has been sexually harassed should contact the Office of Sexual Harassment (OSH) at 303-492-2127 or the Office of Judicial Affairs at 303-492-5550.  Information about the OSH and the campus resources available to assist individuals who believe they have been sexually harassed can be obtained at: http://www.colorado.edu/sexualharassment/

Grading and Evaluation:

Your final course grade will be calculated as follows:

Assignment Date Due % Total Points Possible

Values in Action Paper Monday, November 27^th 25 250

Attendance/Participation In class 15 150

Mid Term Exam Friday, October 13^th 25 250

Final Exam Tuesday, December 19^th 35 350

10:30am-1:00pm

To calculate how you are doing in the class, use the following scale to convert your letter grades on assignments into numbers:

A:10     A-:9     B+:8     B:7       B-:6     C+:5    C:4       C-:3     D+:2    D:1       D-:0     F:-1

Multiply your converted letter grade by the percentage that each assignment is worth, and add these all together. Calculating your final grade (Approximate Ranges):

A: 1050-950     B-: 649-550                D: 249-150      

A-: 949-850      C+: 549-450     F: 149 and below

B+: 849-750     C: 449-350      

B: 749-650       C-: 349-250

NOTE: Do NOT email me for your course grade. If you would like to discuss your performance in the course please make an appointment to come and talk with me.

Values in Action Paper:

To be an effective citizen, you need to be able to connect your own values to social action. This paper will require you to identify your most important values, to choose a social problem discussed in class of concern to you, and to identify actions you could take to alleviate the problem that would be consistent with your values. Your paper should be 3-5 pages in length and will be due just before the end of the semester. This paper is worth 25% of your grade.

Attendance and Participation:

Teaching and learning are reciprocal processes. I will provide a structure for learning, but you must assume the responsibility to learn. It is, after all, your education and it is up to you and your classmates to make this course a worthwhile experience. You should expect to do more than occupy a chair; please come to class energized and prepared to think, speak and do. The success of this course hinges upon students meeting this expectation, therefore so does a portion of your grade. Participation in this course will be determined as follows: On seven unannounced occasions throughout the semester, I will take attendance during lecture in the form of an in-class assignment. These assignments may be personal reflections, questions related to videos or a check on your understanding of lecture and reading material. These are NOT tests and students may use their books, notes or each other (unless directed otherwise) to complete them. Assignments will be completed and turned in during the class period and will be worth 3% each, for a total of 15%. Your lowest two grades will be dropped; as a result, you may NOT make up an in class assignment if you are absent.

Mid Term Exam:

After the first, second, and third units of the course, we will have a mid term exam. The exam will consist of multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions. It will be given during the scheduled class period. The midterm is worth 25% of your grade.

Final Exam:

The course will conclude with a final exam covering the material in the fourth, fifth, and sixth units of class. The final exam will consist of multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions. The final exam will take place during our scheduled final examination period, Tuesday, December 19^th from 10:30am-1:00pm. The final exam is worth 35% of your grade.

Grading Concerns:

If you feel an error has occurred in the grading of your assignments, please set up an appointment to come in and discuss your concerns with me. I am willing to re-examine your grade so long as you meet with me within one week of receiving the grade and have specific (rather than general or abstract) questions about your grade. After one week, all grades are FINAL and will not be reconsidered.

Illness and Late Policies:

As a general rule, no late work will be accepted and any points missed due to an absence may not be made up. In certain circumstances (serious illness or family emergency) a student may petition for an extended deadline, however, adequate documentation must be provided. If you fall under this category, you must petition no later than 24 hours before the scheduled due date. You may petition for an extension only once during the course of the semester. You cannot make up in class assignments.

Course Schedule:

UNIT ONE: INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL PROBLEMS

Monday, August 28^th : Course Introduction

Wednesday, August 30^th : What is a Social Problem?

Readings:

Course Syllabus

Friday, September 1^st : Introduction to Sociology and Social Problems

Readings:

Mills: The Promise of Sociology (e-reserve)

Monday, September 4^th : LABOR DAY, NO CLASS

Wednesday, September 6^th : Social Inequalities of Race/Class/Gender

Readings:

Jones (e-reserve)

Friday, September 8^th : Social Inequalities of Race/Class/Gender

Readings:

McIntosh (e-reserve)

Wise (e-reserve)

UNIT TWO: SOCIAL INEQUALITIES IN EDUCATION AND HEALTHCARE

Monday, September 11^th : Inequalities in Education

Readings:

Education Week (e-reserve)

Wednesday, September 13^th : “Children in America’s Schools”

Readings:

Kozol, pp.3-24

Friday, September 15^th : NO CLASS

Monday, September 18^th : Public Policies and Government Responsibility

Readings:

Kozol, pp.27-54

Wednesday, September 20^th : Healthcare in the U.S.

Readings:

Kozol, pp.57-91

Friday, September 22^nd : “Borderline Medicine”

Readings:

Kozol, pp.95-138

Monday, September 25^th : HMO’s, Medicare, and Medicaid

Readings:

Kozol, pp.141-182

Wednesday, September 27^th : Inequalities in Healthcare

Readings:

Kozol, pp.185-230

Friday, September 29^th : Corporatization of Medicine

Readings:

Kozol, pp.233-256

UNIT THREE: POPULATION AND IMMIGRATION

Monday, October 2^nd : Immigration in the United States

Wednesday, October 4^th : “The New Americans”

Readings:

Cairncross (e-reserve)

Friday, October 6^th : Policy Positions on Immigration

Readings:

Briscoe (e-reserve)

Associated Press (e-reserve)

Monday, October 9^th : Consequences of Immigration

Readings:

Leduff (e-reserve)

Wednesday, October 11^th : In Class Review

Friday, October 13^th : MID-TERM EXAM

UNIT FOUR: THE ECONOMY

Monday, October 16^th : Poverty and Wealth in America

Readings:

Pizzigati (e-reserve)

Wednesday, October 18^th : Characteristics of Welfare Recipients and Low Wage Workers

Readings:

Ehrenreich, pp.1-49

Friday, October 20^th : “Poverty Outlaw”

Readings:

Ehrenreich, pp.51-119

Monday, October 23^rd : Welfare Reform

Readings:

Ehrenreich, pp.121-191

Wednesday, October 25^th : Policy Positions on Unemployment and Welfare

Readings:

Ehrenreich, pp. 193-221

Friday, October 27^th : After Welfare

Readings:

Boo (e-reserve)

UNIT FIVE: CRIME AND PUNISHMENT

Monday, October 30^th : Myths of Crime and Punishment

Readings:

Hallinan, pp.xi-38

Wednesday, November 1^st : Policy Positions and the Structure of Imprisonment

Readings:

Hallinan, pp.39-81

Friday, November 3^rd : Privatization and Supermax Prisons

Readings:

Hallinan, pp.82-113

Monday, November 6^th : “Quiet Rage”

Readings:

Hallinan, pp.114-142

Wednesday, November 8^th : Inequalities in Punishment

Readings:

Hallinan, pp.143-185

Friday, November 10^th : Myths of Crime and Punishment, Revisited

Readings:

Hallinan, pp.186-218

UNIT SIX: CONSUMPTION AND SUSTAINABILITY

Monday, November 13^th : “Affluenza”

Readings:

Woolman (e-reserve)

Wednesday, November 15^th : Culture of Consumption

Readings:

Kingsolver, pp.xii-40

Friday, November 17^th : Malls, Advertising and the Debt Diet

Readings:

Kingsolver, pp.131-143 and 215-221

Monday, November 20^th : FALL BREAK, NO CLASS

Wednesday, November 22^nd : FALL BREAK, NO CLASS

Friday, November 24^th : THANKSGIVING, NO CLASS

Monday, November 27^th : Consequences of Consumption

Readings:

Foek (e-reserve)

Values in Action Paper DUE (in class)

Wednesday, November 29^th : Conservation and the Environment

Readings:

Kingsolver, pp.180-205

Friday, December 1^st : Conservation and the Environment

Readings:

Kingsolver, pp.41-87

Monday, December 4^th : Maintaining Hope

Readings:

Kingsolver, pp.88-130

Wednesday, December 6^th : Informed Action and Solutions

Readings:

Kingsolver, pp.246-264

Lauer and Lauer (e-reserve)

Friday, December 8^th : On Campus Solutions

Monday, December 11^th : On Campus Solutions

Wednesday, December 13^th : In Class Review

Friday, December 15^th : NO CLASS, STUDY UP

FINAL EXAM

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19^TH 10:30AM-1:00PM