Spring 2005

WGS 345 • AMERICAN DILEMMAS

Course Description

This course examines some critical American social problems that threaten the very fabric of our collective life. These include problems in the economy and political system, social class and income inequality, racial/ethnic inequality, gender inequality and heterosexism, problems of illness and health care, and threats to the natural environment. Emphasis will be placed on showing how these problems are natural outgrowths of our existing social structure. The course has three main objectives. One involves providing students with the theoritical and methodological tools needed to critically analyze these problems from a sociological perspective. A second involves providing students with current data and other information documenting the seriousness of these problems. The final objective focuses on evaluating social policies addressing these problems, with special reference to questions of social justice, the common good, as well as public and individual responsibility. Class formal will be a mixture of lecture and discussion. Guest speakers from the community will be invited where applicable.

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