SY 3550 Social Problems

M/W 10:50 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Prof. Jacob Heller

Tower C-2, Rm. 320, 876-3336

jheller@alumni.sunysb.edu

REMINDER: Monday, October 15,
CLASS IS MEETING AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE LIBRARY

Objectives: This course makes a two-pronged examination of social problems in (primarily) American society: theoretical, and substantive.  This means that we will be looking at the evolving theories of how to understand social problems (how they are defined, how they work, and the kinds of outcomes they can be expected to produce) at the same time that we examine actual cases of historical and current “social problems.” The problems we will investigate are real, and we will focus our attention not only on the nature of the origins of these problems, but also the mechanisms and possibilities for solutions.

Requirements: There are some basic requirements for successful completion of this course: attendance, participation, timely completion of all readings, and excellent written work.  These requirements are interdependent – lack of attention to any one aspect of the course will adversely affect all of the others.

Readings: This is a readings and writing intensive course.  As much as possible, readings come from the scholarly literature in sociology.

EVERYONE MUST COMPLETE ALL ASSIGNED READINGS BY THE DUE DATE (please see syllabus for specific assignments, always subject to change). Therefore everyone involved with this course MUST have access to the following readings:

Best, Joel, ed. 1995. Images of Issues: Typifying contemporary social problems. New York: Aldine de Gruyter.

Other readings will become available (will be provided) throughout the term, to be distributed in class.

Grading: Grades are a “necessary” evil – perhaps they are a “social problem” worth exploring? – but irrespective of how we feel about grades, they are a feature of most modern college experiences.  Therefore I have devised a grading scheme to allow every student ample opportunity to demonstrate her mastery of the concepts and substance.  Because the plan for this course is filled with challenging readings, and assignments, there will be no opportunities for “extra credit” work – do well the work that there is.

General Policies: Late work will not be accepted.  Work missed for absence may only be completed based on an individual review of the case, including the nature of the reason for the absence, any patterns of absence, and the nature of the work missed.

Please Note: If you have any physical, psychological, medical, or learning disability that may impact on your ability to carry out assigned course work, please contact the staff in the DSS (Disables Student Services) office,. DSS will review your concerns and determine with you what accommodations are necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation of disability is confidential.

Syllabus

tentative and subject to change