Nov 22, 2024
OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2024-25
SOC 2000 - Contemporary Social Problems
This course explores the complexity of contemporary social problems and the claims-making process through which scientists, journalists, activists, politicians, and agents of other media forms identify, contest, and seek solutions for social problems in everyday life. Special attention is paid to the ways in which claims-makers and social movement architects socially construct arguments by drawing on data sources and using strategic rhetorical styles to influence audiences. The causes and consequences of these definitional processes are examined using multiple social problems.
Credit Hours: 3
OHIO BRICKS: Arch: Connected World
Thematic Arches:
- Science & Technology
General Education Code (students who entered prior to Fall 2021-22): 2SS
Repeat/Retake Information: May be retaken two times excluding withdrawals, but only last course taken counts.
Lecture/Lab Hours: 3.0 lecture
Grades: Eligible Grades: A-F,WP,WF,WN,FN,AU,I
Course Transferability: OTM course: TMSBS Social & Behavioral Sciences, TAG course: OSS025 Social Problems
College Credit Plus: Level 1
Learning Outcomes:
- Students will be able to identify, define, and illustrate basic concepts, theories, and research techniques related to the sociological study of social problems.
- Students will be able to explain why some social issues become defined as social problems and others do not.
- Students will be able to discuss the social and rhetorical process through which social problems are identified, legitimized, and addressed.
- Students will be able to discuss how scientific and technological expertise are strategic resources in definitional processes.
- Students will be able to identify multidimensional aspects of social problems including social, political, economic, cultural, and global dimensions.
- Students will be able to discuss and analyze how contemporary social problems are related to systems of power and privilege grounded on inequalities of class, race, gender, sexualities, and place.
- Students will be able to discuss how proposed “solutions” to social problems are often contentious due to diverse values and interests in society.
- Students will be able to describe how the proposed solutions to a social problem, including social policies, may bring rise to other social problems.
- Students will be able to employ sociological theories and empirical findings to propose practical solutions to a complex social problem.
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