Ying-Ting Wang

Course Description

Are we living in the best of times or the worst of times? Surely, compared to what people in the United States decades ago, life has improved- we’re living longer and, in many ways, better lives. Yet, most people live in the United States say that our society is facing a lot of problems, and also claim that we are not doing enough to solve them. Dealing with these challenges is not just the job of our political leaders; it is the responsibility of all of us as citizens.

This course provides you the sociological perspective to the contemporary social problems. To begin our course, we will first learn the sociological perspective and core concepts in sociology. Once we have the “tools”, we will use these tools to examine some social issues regarding poverty, race, gender crime, sexuality, work, family and economy. The goal of this course is to identify what the problems are and what should be done about them.

Grading Policy

3 Exams (22% each)

66

2 Assignments

22

In-class discussions

12

 Students are required to attend every class. Absence will reflect on your in-class discussions grade.

Required Text

Social Problems 4th edition, 2010, John J. Macionis. ISBN: 9780205164912

Course Description 

See the forest and the trees! How does society shape and influence our individual choices? How do choices made by individuals influence society? This course will introduce you to the sociological perspective, a perspective that can help you to see and understand the connections between individuals and the broader social contexts in which they live.

Make the familiar new! By applying “the sociological imagination”, you will have a completely new understanding of things that you are familiar with or that you take for granted.

A sociological journey begins! To begin our course, we will first learn the sociological perspective and core concepts in sociology (e.g., culture, social structure, power, and etc.). Once we have the “tools”, we will use these tools to examine some important social issues regarding, race, gender, class inequality, deviance, media, family, education, and health.  The class format will be lecture and discussion.  

Grading Policy 

3 Exams (20% each) 60%

3 Individual Assignments (9% each)          27%

In-class discussions                                    13%

Students are required to attend every class. Absence will reflect on your in-class discussions grade.

Required Text

Croteau, D., & Hoynes, W. (2013). Experience Sociology. New York: McGraw-Hill. ISBN: 9780073193533

Any additional readings will be made available on Blackboard.