Title

SOC1113 - Social Problems

API ID

Credits

3 (3/0/0)

Description

Meets MnTC Goal Areas 5 and 9. This course stresses acquiring an enriched understanding of social issues and prospects for improving them. Students will investigate social trends and factors affecting social problems, contrast sociological perspectives of social problems, deal constructively with information and ideas associated with social issues, examine the ethical dimensions inherent in problem definition and intervention design, and define personal and public responsibilities in relation to select social issues. Social issues covered may include parenting and family issues; crime, delinquency and violence; aging, health and health care issues; poverty and inequality; cultural pluralism; urban growth and population; environmental issues; sexual issues; and global issues.

Competencies

  1. Use sociological methods to investigate the human condition, particularly as influenced by social factors.
  2. Trace the evolution of social problems and investigate how issues are problematic within a cultural context.
  3. Apply a variety of sociological paradigms to social issues.
  4. Develop explanations for and ideas about contemporary social issues.
  5. Examine personal value orientation in reference to current social issues.
  6. Differentiate between charity and social justice.
  7. Analyze real or potential reverse effects of interventions.
  8. Utilize structural, conflict, and interactionist models to analyze political motivations in the labeling of social issues and social intervention design
  9. Develop action plans outlining personal responsibilities in reference to select social issues.

Goal Areas

5. History and the Social and Behavioral Sciences
9. Ethical and Civic Responsibility