Revision Date: 22-Jul-19

SOC-2010-VO01X - Global Social Problems Synonym: 186284 Location: Online Credits: 3 (45 hours) Accelerated Section: This course has special meeting dates and times. See comments below or consult VSC Web Services - Search for Sections in the VSC portal for specific dates and times. If you have any questions call the site office offering the course. Semester Dates: 09-03-2019 to 10-21-2019 Last day to drop without a grade: 09-11-2019 - Refund Policy Last day to withdraw (W grade): 10-01-2019 - Refund Policy Faculty: Candace Lewis | View Faculty Credentials This course has started, please contact the offering academic center about registration Course Description: This course examines contemporary problems in a global context such as poverty, social inequality, crime, religious and ethnic conflict, resource availability, population pressure and the spread of infectious diseases. Attention will be given to the current state of social institutions and the nature of social change while exploring how social problems are defined and perceived by various groups as matters of public and global concern. This course will integrate many social themes and will critically analyze attempts to resolve problems using the methodologies of social science and a range of theoretical perspectives. Essential Objectives: The successful student will be able to: 1. Describe how social problems are defined and socially constructed, identifying the roles of culture, ideology, technology and the media in influencing the perception of certain social issues and providing these with national, transnational and global significance. 2. Discuss the scope and causes of social problems facing the world today, examining the history and genesis of social divisions, inequality, oppression, and how systems have created and sustained these. 3. Analyze how different power structures influence the way specific problems are construed and addressed and how groups who articulate a particular social problem impact the response and resources that may be allocated to it. 4. Evaluate remedies for social problems considering existing policies and the role of political, environmental, and academic rhetoric, as well as the role of grassroots social movements and international campaigns. 5. Differentiate between functionalist, conflict, feminist and interactionist theories of social behavior and control and how these are employed to interpret social problems. 6. Demonstrate how demographic and statistical research is used to understand and respond to social stressors and change both locally and globally. 7. Create a final project which investigates a significant global social problem, applying the concepts, theories, and methods that social and behavioral scientists employ, including case studies, surveys, and existing data, distinguishing between scientific fact and popular opinion surrounding this issue. Textbooks: Fall 2019 textbook data will be available on May 13. On that date a link will be available below that will take you to eCampus, CCV's bookstore. The information provided there will be for this course only. Please see this page for more information regarding the purchase of textbooks. Additional Instructor Pre-Assignments/Notes/Comments: While there are no formal pre-assignments for this course, students without any prior experience in anthropology or sociology will benefit from familiarizing themselves with basic concepts. Given the accelerated format of this course, students are encouraged to begin working through readings in advance of the official start date of the course. Methods: Weekly discussions Student presentation of ongoing research Short video clips and documentary films Diverse reading assignments Internet-based research assignments Evaluation Criteria: 30% Weekly Discussion Participation 30% Semester Project (multiple graded steps) 20% Term and Concept Quizzes 20% Be the Change Activity Grading Criteria: A+ through A-: For any work to receive an "A," it must clearly demonstrate keen insight and original thinking. It must not only demonstrate attention to detail andfull understanding of the topic or issues addressed, but it must also provide a critical analysis of these. In addition, an "A" grade reflects a student's ability to clearly and thoughtfully articulate his or her learning. B+ through B-: For any work to receive a "B," it must be good to excellent work. It must demonstrate strong originality, comprehension, critical thinking, and attention to detail. In addition, a "B" grade reflects a student's ability to clearly articulate his or her learning. C+ through C-: For any work to receive a "C," it must demonstraterealgrowth in theircomprehension, critical thinking, and attention to detail. In addition, a "C" grade reflects a student's ability to adequately articulate his or her learning. D+ through D-: For any work to receive a "D," it must minimally meet the expectations of the assignment. It demonstratesproblems incomprehension, critical thinking, and attention to detail. In addition, a "D" grade may reflect a student's difficulty in articulating his or her learning. F: Work that receives an "F" grade does not meet the expectations or objectives of the assignment. It may demonstrate consistent problems with attendance, missing assignemnts, comprehension, organization, critical thinking,or supporting details. In addition, an "F" grade reflects a student's inability to articulate his or her learning. Students are strongly urged to discuss this grade with their instructor and advisor. Attendance Policy: Regular attendance and participation are essential components of a student's success in online courses and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. This course is offered in an accelerated format, which makes the impact of an absence more severe. Please be aware that missing more than one week as defined by satisfactory discussion participation will result in a failing grade. Contact Faculty: Email: Candace Lewis Hiring Coordinator for this course: Katherine Maynard Syllabus: 'Week-by-Week Topic Syllabus ' Week 1 Thinking Like a Social Scientist Module: Succeeding in this Course Module: Thinking Like a Social Scientist Week 2 Social Problems Module: The Making of a Social Problem Module: Media and the Making of a Social Problem Week 3 Culture and History Module: Historical Context Module: Cultural Context Week 4 Inequality and Poverty Module: Big Issues- Inequality and Poverty Module: Big Issues- Hunger Week 5 Violence and Gender Module: Big Issues- Conflict and Violence Module: Big Issues- Gender Inequality Week 6 Health and the Environment Module: Big Issues- Health Module: Big Issues- Climate and Environment Week 7 Social Movements and Change Module: Social Movements and Change Module: Agents of Change * Specific weekly assignments and readings are posted in Canvas Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities: CCV strives to mitigate barriers to course access for students with documented disabilities. To request accommodations, please Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/ Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process. Academic Honesty: CCV has a commitment to honesty and excellence in academic work and expects the same from all students. Academic dishonesty, or cheating, can occur whenever you present -as your own work- something that you did not do. You can also be guilty of cheating if you help someone else cheat. Being unaware of what constitutes academic dishonesty (such as knowing what plagiarism is) does not absolve a student of the responsibility to be honest in his/her academic work. Academic dishonesty is taken very seriously and may lead to dismissal from the College. Course description details subject to change. Please refer to this document frequently.