SOAN 117 - Introduction to Social Problems

The United States and other countries around the world face pressing social problems, such as poverty and inequality; discrimination based on race, class, and gender; violent crime; climate change; and, most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic. What, exactly, makes these things “social problems?” Who do they harm? Why do people have such different perspectives on them? And what can we – individually and collectively – do to address them? In this class, we will analyze questions like these through the unique lens of Sociology. Through a combination of readings, films, guest speakers, and class discussions, students will learn more about specific social problems, like immigration, racism, and hyper-consumerism. Note that students cannot receive credit for both SOAN 110 and SOAN 117. No prerequisite. (Group I)