SYB 111
SOCIAL PROBLEMS
FALL 2004
DUE THURSDAY,
SEPTEMBER 2
1. LIST what you believe to be the five most significant social problems.
2. Review the list and CIRCLE the problem that you feel is the most important.
3. In a brief one or two paragraph statement, explain why you believe the circled problem is the most significant one (your statement should provide an explanation as to why this problem is more important than other problems).
4. What social problems would you like us to discuss in class?
DUE TUESDAY,
SEPTEMBER 7
Read:
Write:
Apply the person-blame and system-blame approaches to the “Robert
DUE THURSDAY,
SEPTEMBER 9
No new assignment. We will continue to discuss the person-blame and system-blame approaches.
DUE TUESDAY,
SEPTEMBER 14
Read:
(in Newsweek,
p. 55 (“Don’t Blame the Saudis”)
p. 58 (“Bush’s Jobs Albatross’)
p. 78 (“Leaving on a Jet Plane”)
(in Newsweek,
p. 40 (“Taking Aim at Our Enemies”)
pp. 42-51 (“The Power of No”)
Think about how the different readings illustrate ideas discussed in
class (complexity of social problems; person-blame/system-blame; conflict and
social problems).
Write:
1. What would be some of
the pros and cons with respect to reviving the military draft (“Leaving on a
Jet Plane”)? [hint: think about some of
the social impacts of each outcome].
What is your personal opinion on the issue?
2. Discuss the article
“The Power of No.” What is Newsweek presenting as the problem? How is the problem being described? What are the negative effects on
society? What is your personal reaction
to the article?
REMINDER:
PROJECT PROPOSAL IS DUE!
REMINDER:
Bring $8.85 to class for your subscription to Newsweek.
DUE THURSDAY,
SEPTEMBER 16
Read:
Class
handouts--the Thomas advertisement and the Fischer letter.
Write:
1. Analyze
Professsor Thomas' argument and Mr. Fischer's counter argument. According
to each person, what is the social problem—and what explains the problem?
2. Focus on the idea of
"caring" in the two arguments. How does each writer use this
word? Can you account for any differences?
3. After analyzing both
positions, what do YOU see as the social problem? Explain your position.
DUE TUESDAY,
SEPTEMBER 21
Read:
(Library Reserve) “The People and the Tasks in Constructing
Social Problems.” This article is
available via electronic reserve. Click here
to go to the University Library web page, then follow links for “Electronic
Reserves,” “Fall 2004”, Instructor (Doane—from pull down menu), and “Course”
(SYB 111).
No written assignment. Be prepared to ask questions about the
article.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING $8.85 TO CLASS FOR YOUR
SUBSCRIPTION TO NEWSWEEK!
DUE THURSDAY,
SEPTEMBER 23
Read (in Newsweek, September
20 issue):
pp. 22-28 “The Secret
Money War”
pp. 30-33 “It’s Worse than
You Think”
pp. 44-45 “
Write (for the first two readings):
Apply
the social constructionist perspective to each reading. How is the issue defined (what “claims” are being
made about the problem, its causes, and its effects?)? How is the issue
“framed” (what image is being created for the reader by pictures, key phrases,
choice of words?)?
DUE TUESDAY,
SEPTEMBER 28
Read (in Newsweek, September
27 issue):
p. 30 “A New Menace
on the Rez”
p. 31 “A Remedy for
Pricey Drugs”
p. 35 “War-Gaming
the Mullahs”
pp. 36-38 “Back to the
U.S.S.R.”
No written assignment.
Note: If you have not submitted your project
proposal, you must submit it on Tuesday.
DUE THURSDAY,
SEPTEMBER 30
Read (Library Reserve) “The
Political Economy of Social Problems”
DUE TUESDAY, OCTOBER
5
Read:
“Corporate Welfare” (click here to access the article)
Write:
Based
upon the reading, what is problematic (for society) about “corporate
welfare?” Why does it exist? What social forces perpetuate the
problem? Provide your personal reaction
to the article.
DUE THURSDAY, OCTOBER
7
EXAMINATION #1 Click HERE for a
copy of the review guide.
DUE TUESDAY, OCTOBER
12
1. I will begin class by
going over the expectations for Stage I of the project which is due on October
19. Please be prepared to ask questions.
2. We will discuss the
reading on “corporate welfare” that was assigned for last Tuesday (click here to access the article). If you have
not already submitted he assigned
written reaction, you should complete it for Tuesday. The assignment
was to discuss the following:
Based
upon the reading, what is problematic (for society) about “corporate
welfare?” Why does it exist? What social forces perpetuate the
problem? Provide your personal reaction
to the article.
3. Read (if you haven’t already done so)
in Newsweek, October 4 issue:
Pp.
30-31: “No Place is Safe” (consider
connections to class discussion on Tuesday, September 28)
Pp.
40-41: “Grande Plans” (consider
connections to political economy material)
Pp.
62-63: “Dress to Express”
4. Read (in Newsweek, October 11 issue):
P.
32: “
Pp.
34-35 “Madmen, Rogues & Nukes”
5. NO NEW WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT (use the time to work on Stage I of your projects).
DUE THURSDAY, OCTOBER
14
Write:
1.
What are the
most effective ways in which society addresses social problems?
2.
List/briefly
describe your past and present activities that you feel address social problems
in society?
3.
What
actions/activities do you think that you will undertake in the future to address social problems in
society?
DUE TUESDAY, OCTOBER
19
Read (in Newsweek, October 18
issue)
Pp. 31-40 “A Clean Count”
Pp. 56-57 “Working to Save
the West”
No written assignment (see extra credit menu for options).
Project Stage 1 is due!
DUE THURSDAY, OCTOBER
21
No Assignment.
DUE TUESDAY, OCTOBER
26
Read:
1.
(Library
Reserve) “Poverty” (we will discuss this
in class on Oct. 26/28).
2.
(in Newsweek, October 25 issue)
a. pp. 43-49 “Stem-Cell
Division”
b. pp. 52-53 “Bad Medicine”
Write: (for the two Newsweek articles):
Apply the social constructionist perspective. How is each issue framed? What is the problem/conflict? What solutions or hopes for solutions are
offered (include the conclusion by the articles’ authors)? How are the opposing sides portrayed?
DUE THURSDAY, OCTOBER
28
No new assignment. Use the time
to work on your projects/journals.
Examination scheduled for November 2 has been rescheduled for November
9.
DUE TUESDAY, NOVEMBER
2
Read: (in Newsweek,
a. pp. 41-44 (“The Flu Shot
Fiasco”)
b. pp. 47-48 (“Scary Strains”)
Write:
1.
(for the two
Newsweek articles combined) Apply social constructionism. How is the problem “framed” by Newsweek? What do these readings demonstrate to us
about the nature of social problems?
2.
(related to
recent class discussion) Why are people
poor? What do you see as possible
solutions to poverty?
DUE THURSDAY,
NOVEMBER 4
NO CLASS MEETING! Use the time to work on your projects and to
prepare for the examination. There is a review
session scheduled for Monday, November 8 from
DUE TUESDAY, NOVEMBER
9
EXAMINATION #2
DUE THURSDAY,
NOVEMBER 11
Read:
1.
(Library
Reserve) “Urban Problems in the
2.
(in Newsweek,
Write:
Write a reaction to the Newsweek
reading. What do you see as the key
issues? How do you believe that the
problem can be resolved?
ASSIGNMENT DUE
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16
Read:
Go to http://www.ctnow.com/news/specials,
then select the link for article “
Go to CCEDA - Hartford,
Connecticut - Capital City Economic Development Authority, then click on links for Adriaen’s Landing,
Convention Center, Riverfront, and
Write:
What is sprawl? Why is it a
social problem? Are you aware of
sprawl-related issues in your home area?
Do you think the Adriaen’s Landing and
What do see as the most important issues regarding racism in the
Project Stage 2 due on Thursday, November
18.
Exam 3 has been rescheduled to Tuesday,
December 7.
ASSIGNMENT DUE
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18
No reading or written assignment!
Project Stage 2 due on Thursday, November 18.
ASSIGNMENT DUE
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23
Read: (Class Handout) “Racial
Inequality”
Write:
1. Respond to the video
“True Colors” that was shown in class on Thursday.
2. Write a reaction to the
reading assignment. What are the main issues raised in the reading? What
did you learn about race and ethnic relations in the
ASSIGNMENT DUE
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30
Read (Library Reserve): “Child Abuse”
ASSIGNMENT DUE
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2
Read the following articles:
1.
“Sandra and Her
Children” (
2.
Hartford Courant special report, “Our Broken Home” (an in-depth account of
children’s experiences with the
Write a reaction to the readings. What are your personal reactions to each
reading? What important social and
political questions are raised in the readings?
REMINDER: EXAM 3 IS ON
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7!
DUE TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7
EXAM
#3 ON TUESDAY
REVIEW
SESSION MONDAY, DECEMBER 6 @ 3-4:15 IN H 207
CLICK
HERE FOR A COPY OF THE REVIEW GUIDE.
DUE THURSDAY,
DECEMBER 9
No assignment (we will discuss terrorism in class on Thursday). Use the time to work on your projects.
Due Tuesday, December
14
Final class meeting. Stage III
of your project is due. Other stages are
also due unless you were given an approved extension until December 16th.