SOC 115 - Social Problems

Credit(s) 3.00
Lecture Hours: 3.00
This course provides an in-depth exploration of key social issues that impact individuals and communities. Students will critically examine topics such as the dynamics and personality development, mental health and mental illness, crime and delinquency, substance abuse, family dysfunction, aging and elder care, and racial inequality. Through case studies, theoretical frameworks, and current research, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the causes, effects, and potential solutions to these complex social challenges. Emphasis will be placed on the interplay between individual behavior, societal norms, and public policy, with a focus on fostering a deeper understanding of how these issues shape contemporary society.

SLOs:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Demonstrate an understanding of social science methods used in analyzing social phenomena and the diversity of human perspectives.
Demonstrate a foundation of knowledge regarding the study of social problems.
Demonstrate an understanding of how the social situations that influence how we feel, think, and act vary between individuals as they experience social problems differently.
Describe the concepts, models, theories, and paradigms that sociologists employ as they study social problems.
Describe the varying and conflicting political perspectives that respond to social problems.
Demonstrate an understanding of the underlying causes of social problems, social instability, conflict, and change.
Demonstrate an understanding of the contributions of sociology to the development solutions to social problems.