Course ePortfolio

Social Problems

This collection contains the California Open Educational Resources Council (CA OER) list of peer-reviewed textbooks for Social Problems (common course-id SOCI 115), one of the top 50 college courses identified for inclusion in the California Open Online Library for Education (COOLforEd).

CID Number: SOCI 115

General Course Description: SOCI 115

An identification and analysis of contemporary social problems including (1) the role of power and ideology in the definition of social problems, (2) their causes and consequences, (3) evaluations of proposed solutions, and (4) methods of intervention. Topics will vary.

Minimum Units: 3.0

Date Added to MERLOT:

July 31, 2016

Created by:

Magnolia Cooper

License:

Derived from

Prerequisites

Prerequisites: None

Corequisites: None

Advisories/Recommendations: None

Pedagogical Approach & Learning Outcomes

Pedagogical Approach

None

Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

demonstrate understanding of major social problems concerning the U.S.;
place local, regional, and national social problems in global context;
identify, and distinguish between, causes and consequences of social problems;
analyze social problems using sociological approaches and concepts;
analyze and interpret qualitative and quantitative information about social problems;
identify and evaluate policies that address social problems and assess the policies’ impact on society.

Assessment & Other Information

Assessment

May include:

Objective exams
Written assignments
Application exercises
Research project
Field Journal
Oral Presentations
Reflection and discussion
Small group activities
Out-of-class activities

Other Information

None

Course Resources

Social Problems: Continuity and Change (Open (Access) Textbook)

These stories provide an interesting starting point for the chapter’s discussion and show its relevance for real-life... More

These stories provide an interesting starting point for the chapter’s discussion and show its relevance for real-life issues. Three types of boxes in each chapter provide examples of how social problems have been changed and can be changed. In no particular order, a first box, “Applying Social Research,” discusses how the findings from sociological and other social science research have either contributed to public policy related to the chapter’s social problem or have the potential of doing so. A second box, “Lessons from Other Nations,” discusses how another nation or nations have successfully addressed the social problem of that chapter. A third box, “People Making a Difference,” discusses efforts by individuals, non-profit organizations or social change groups, or social movements relating to the chapter’s social problem. Students will see many examples in this box of how ordinary people can indeed make a difference. A fourth box in each chapter, “Children and Our Future,” examines how the social problem discussed in that chapter particularly affects children, and it outlines the problem’s repercussions for their lives as adolescents and adults. This box reinforces for students the impact of social problems on children and the importance of addressing these problems for their well-being as well as for the nation’s well-being. Each chapter ends with a “Using What You Know” feature that presents students with a scenario involving the social problem from the chapter and that puts them in a decision-making role. This feature helps connect the chapter’s theoretical discussion with potential real-life situations.
Sociology: Understanding and Changing the Social World (Open (Access) Textbook)

PEDAGOGICAL FEATURES SOCIAL ISSUES IN THE NEWS: Almost every chapter starts with recent media coverage recounting... More

PEDAGOGICAL FEATURES SOCIAL ISSUES IN THE NEWS: Almost every chapter starts with recent media coverage recounting chapter-related events and proceeds with thought-provoking discussion about the social issue related to the event. This treatment of the news story helps students appreciate the relevance of sociology for newsworthy issues. SOCIOLOGY MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Discusses a particular social issue and shows how sociological insights and findings can address the issue and achieve social reform. LEARNING FROM OTHER SOCIETIES: Discusses the experience in other nations on a social issue related to the chapter, helping students appreciate what has worked and not worked in other nations and thus better understand how social reform might be achieved in the United States. WHAT SOCIOLOGY SUGGESTS: Summarizes social policies grounded in sociological theory and research that hold strong potential for addressing issues discussed in the chapter. THEORY SNAPSHOTS: Many chapters contain tables providing a quick reference tool for students to understand varying theoretical approaches to sociological topics. USING SOCIOLOGY: Almost every chapter presents a hypothetical scenario concerning an issue from the chapter and asks students to make a decision involving social change. These vignettes help students connect the chapter’s discussion with real-life situations and better appreciate the relevance of sociological knowledge for social reform. CONCLUSION: UNDERSTANDING and CHANGING THE SOCIAL WORLD: A brief and unique final chapter sums up what students have learned about society and themselves and reviews the relevance of sociology for achieving social change
Sociology (Open (Access) Textbook)

The Boundless Sociology textbook is a college-level, introductory textbook that covers the compelling and complex... More
Sociology: Understanding and Changing the Social World, Comprehensive Edition (Open (Access) Textbook)

Note: This Flatworld book is not a free book. Student access is either $24 or $49. Printed copies can also be... More

Note: This Flatworld book is not a free book. Student access is either $24 or $49. Printed copies can also be purchased.

Most chapters begin with a “Social Issues in the News” story taken from recent media coverage that recounts an event related to the chapter’s topic and uses it as a starting point for the chapter’s discussion. Additional material at the end of the chapter discusses promising strategies for addressing the social issues presented in the news story and in the chapter as a whole. The inclusion and discussion of “Social Issues in the News” will help students appreciate the relevance of sociology for newsworthy events and issues.