SYB 115

STUDIES IN SOCIAL PROBLEMS

FALL 2009

W. DOANE

 

REVIEW SHEET—EXAM #1

EXAM IS SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19

 

 

What is a social problem (definition)?   

How do problems change over time (examples)?

What is the sociological imagination?  How is it helpful in understanding social problems?

How has the concern by college students with social issues changed over time?  What factors explain the changes?

What factors change society’s awareness of social problems? (examples)

Why do different people/groups have conflicting perspectives/positions on social problems?  (Why do they have different values, beliefs, interests?)

 

Perspectives on social problems

  1. Person-blame/system blame (describe, implications for solutions, example; Why is person-blame popular?  Demonization,)

 

  1. Social constructionism  (define/describe; be able to discuss key concepts (frame, claims, claims maker, claims competition, contested concept, code words)

 

Poverty and Inequality

·        Income inequality (including by race)

·        Wealth (definition significance, concentration)

·        Poverty (definition, measurement/poverty threshold)

·        Poverty rate (including extreme poverty, impact of age and race)