Instructor
Dr. Steve Sapp
320 East Hall
294-1403
ssapp@iastate.edu
Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9:00 to 10:00, and by appointment.
Teaching Assistant
Ms. Jessica Nielsen
419A East Hall
294-6480
jrenae@iastate.edu
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 3:00 to 5:00; Friday, 1:00 to 2:00; by appointment.
Purpose of the Course
Joel M. Charon and Lee Garth Vigilant, the authors of our textbook on social problems, note that one of the attractions of sociology for many persons is a passion to make the world a better place. The sociologist combines this passion with the use of the scientific approach as a means of understanding and explaining social phenomena. The results of scientific investigation can be used to suggest social policies that will mitigate the negative consequences of problems that inevitably plague all human societies.
Sociology 235 describes social problems facing the United States today and identifies how these problems affect and are affected by our institutions and culture. We will learn about aging, sexual deviance, substance abuse, violence, crime, inequality, race and ethnic relations, sex discrimination, health care, family issues, urban problems, population and food, environmental problems, and terrorism. We will learn how to interpret social problems within the context of sociological theory, which sometimes will yield surprising insights into how American society really works! We will learn about sociological research on social problems. We will discuss suggestions for policy designed to mitigate the negative consequences of social problems.
Course Objectives
The objectives of Sociology 235 are:
- to understand social problems in contemporary American society,
- to understand sociological research on social problems, and
- to discuss suggested policies for alleviating the negative consequences of social problems.
Textbook
Joel M. Charon and Lee Garth Vigilant, 2006, Social Problems, Second Edition.
Class Website
http://www.soc.iastate.edu/sapp/soc235.html
Course Content
- Unit One: Introduction to Social Problems (January 15 to January 24).
- Unit Two: Poverty, Globalization (January 29 to February 14).
- Unit Three: Race and Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality, Crime (February 19 to March 27).
- Unit Four: Family, Education, Health Care, Aging (April 1 to April 17) .
- Unit Five: Terrorism, Population, Environment (April 22 to May 1).
Course Outline
We will use a three-step process to learn about each social problem we address this semester:
- We will watch filmed materials related to each social problem. This step will help us learn as best as possible in a classroom setting the real world issues faced by many Americans. The films for this semester are available at the ISU Library.
- We will learn more about each social problem by reading the chapters included in our textbook and other materials. This link shows the list of readings for this semester.
- Dr. Sapp will facilitate class discussion regarding how to use the sociological perspective to understand social problems. The Sociological Perspective is reviewed at this web site.
Class discussion will focus upon the broad range of social problems we will learn about in Sociology 235. During the introduction to the course, we will talk about two key issues facing American's today: Same-Sex Marriage and Illegal Immigration.
Assignments and Evaluation
Exams, assignments, and class participation will facilitate your understanding of the course material and provide a mechanism to evaluate your understanding of it. The course includes 350 points assigned to these evaluations. Final grades will be based upon a standard grading scale of 90% or higher = A; 80% - 89% = B; and so forth, with consideration of + and - grades at the extremes of each grade level.
Exams: The course includes five exams. Each exam contains multiple-choice and short-answer questions that cover the reading assignments and class lecture materials. Exams #1, #4, and #5 are worth 50 points each and Exams #2 and #3 are worth 75 points each. Instructions for the exams are posted to help you prepare for them. Review sessions will be held on the evening prior to each exam. (Total points = 300)
Written Assignments: Students are asked to become engaged in the learning experience by completing two written assignments worth 25 points each. These assignments will ask you to conduct the same types of activities required of professional sociologists involved in understanding social problems. Instructions for the written assignments and instructions for preparing your papers are posted on this web site. (Total points = 50)
Class Participation: Attendance in Sociology 235 is important to your learning experience. Attendance will be taken daily. Each unexcused absence will result in a 5 point reduction from your total points. Excused absences occur because you are ill or involved in university-sponsored activities (e.g., trips related to athletics or the arts, class-related field trips, etc.). Ask Dr. Sapp about special circumstances you think warrant an excused absence.
Sociology Code of Ethics for Human Relations
The Department of Sociology is committed to providing a professional and educational environment that is free of discrimination and harassment. The department's Code of Ethics for Human Relations and the Procedures for Filing Complaints of Discrimination or Harassment are posted on the bulletin boards on all five floors of East Hall.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Please address any special needs or special accommodations with Dr. Sapp at the beginning of the semester or as soon as you become aware of your needs. Those seeking accommodations based on disabilities should obtain a Student Academic Accommodation Request (SAAR) form from the Disability Resources office (515-294-6624). Disability Resources is located on the main floor of the Student Services Building, Room 1076.
