DEPARTMENT OF EXTENDED LEARNING

SOCIAL PROBLEMS

SYLLABUS FOR SOC-2003-004C

2008-2009 © SOUTHWEST BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
 

Instructor:

Debbie Gamble

 

Office:

Gott Educational Building

 

Mailing Address:

Department of Behavioral Sciences

1600 University Ave

Bolivar MO 65613

 

Office Phone:

417-328-1734 (1736)

 

Email:

dgamble@sbuniv.edu

 

Course Description:

 

This course is study of the social problems currently affecting American and world societies.  Course emphasis is current status, causes and solutions of each social problem.

 

Aims and Objectives:

 

Upon completion of this course the student should be able to:

 

A.        Understand the sociological aspects of social problems.

B.        Identify the social problems that have a global impact on our society.

C.        Discuss the social problems playing a prominent role in American society today.

D.        Describe the social problems that affect us on a familial or personal level.

E.        Become aware of possible solutions to current social problems.

 

These objectives will be accomplished through the reading of the textbook material, completing the activities, discussion questions, and examinations and writing of a social solutions paper.

 

Course Materials:

 

Macionis, J.J. (2008) Social Problems (3rd ed). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.  ISBN: 9780132433396.

 

    

Class Requirements:

 

1.         Complete the Activities and Discussion questions for each of the eighteen (18) lessons found within Blackboard. This should take approximately 2-3 hours for each lesson.  After completing each lesson, submit the lesson.  These assignments will be worth a total of 180 points for completing (10 points per lesson).  Assignments for each lesson, e.g. answers to discussion questions, completed activities and quizzes should be completed and submitted BEFORE each unit exam is taken. For example, assignments for Lessons 1-5 should be submitted to instructor when unit one exam is taken. Submit each lesson using the Assignment feature and email the instructor when you have submitted a lesson. 

           

            The discussion questions, activities, and quizzes will help you in preparation for the exam at the end of the unit and in understanding the important information. 

 

            All assignments should be submitted in a professional manner.  Grade deductions will be taken for spelling errors, grammar errors or sloppy work. Microsoft Word is the processor of choice.

 

2.         A formal research paper is due at the end of this course.  Choice of topics is limited to those discussed in your textbook.  Describe the cause, current status, and at least two possible solutions to that social problem.  The paper is worth 100 points.  It must be typed, with one-inch margins and six to seven pages of text (excluding reference and title page) in length.  At least four references, should be cited in your paper. Your text should not be cited as a source within your paper. Documentation of references should follow American Psychological Association publication manual (5th ed., 2001).

 

            After completing the paper, submit it using the Assignment feature and email the instructor letting her know of the post.

 

            Microsoft Word is the processor of choice.

 

3.         There are four exams.  Each exam is worth 100 points.  Each exam is an objective test consisting of multiple-choice questions.  An exam will be taken after each unit is completed. Exams will be taken electronically. Please follow exam procedures outlined in your course.

 

Grading:

Grading Scale

Exam 1 - Chapters 1-5 100 points                                   

Exam 2 - Chapters 6-10 100 points                       612-680   = A

Exam 3 - Chapters 11-14 100 points                     544-611   = B

Exam 4 - Chapters 15-18 100 points                     476-543   = C

Unit Lessons (18@ 10 pts) 180 points                   408-475   = D

Research Paper               100 points                      Below 408 = F

Total                                               680 points