SOC-151: Contemporary Social Problems

School
Liberal Arts
Division
Social Sciences
Department
Sociology
Academic Level
Undergraduate
Course Subject
Sociology
Course Number
151
Course Title
Contemporary Social Problems
Credit Hours
3.00
Instructor Contact Hours Per Semester
47.00 (for 15-week classes)
Student Contact Hours Per Semester
47.00 (for 15-week classes)
Grading Method
A-E
Pre-requisites
SOC-131
Catalog Course Description

Focuses on understanding current social problems in U.S. society, such as economic, racial, and gender inequality, from a sociological perspective. Because the course relates to social issues, the exact set of problems covered can change from semester-to-semester.  Other issues covered in recent semesters include climate change, crime, and social movements intended to solve social problems. The primary goals of this course are increasing student awareness of social problems and their causes, as well as possible solutions.

Goals, Topics, and Objectives

Core Course Topics
  1. Using the sociological imagination to understand social problems (objectives 1,6)
  2. The social construction of social problems (2,6)
  3. The role of power in social problems (3)
  4. Problems of racial inequality (3,6)
  5. Problems of class inequality (3,6)
  6. Problems of gender inequality (3,6)
  7. Theoretical perspectives on social problems (4)
  8. Identification and understanding of specific social problems (5)
Core Course Learning Objectives (Separated)

Explain the difference between an individual-based approach to studying social problems and a sociological approach.
Provide examples of how social problems are socially constructed, varying between cultures, across time, and between individuals.
Describe how power (especially as power relates to class, race, and gender) plays a role in the U.S.’s identification of social problems.
Describe how sociological theories examine and explain contemporary social problems.
Identify and explain several contemporary social problems facing U.S. society.
Analyze how an individual’s identification of social problems is linked to their values and to their background (i.e., their class, race, gender, etc.).*

Assessment and Requirements

Assessment of Academic Achievement

Each instructor will identify and implement appropriate methods to assess the achievement of the learning objectives for the course.

Outcomes

General Education Categories
  • Social Sciences
MTA Categories
  • Category 4: Social Sciences
Satisfies Wellness Requirement
No
Satisfies Honors Requirements
No
Effective Term
Fall 2025