SOAN 117 - Introduction to Social Problems

1.00

Throughout social media and mass media, controversial social problems are hotly debated. The news is filled with stories of drugs, racism, workforce discrimination, teen pregnancy, sexism, healthcare inequality, reproductive rights, poverty, educational inequality, gender inequality, the rise of for-profit education, vaccines, and more. How can we make sense of social problems and work toward solving them? Who gets to decide what counts as a social problem and which problems are worthy of our attention? In this class, we’ll explore a variety of real and manufactured social problems in the US context. Readings will be coupled with documentaries, podcasts, and TV show episodes to help us understand and discuss social problems, how they’re created, and how to work toward solving them. Note: students cannot earn credit for both SOAN 110 and SOAN 117. No prerequisite. Gen Ed Competency: Examine Power and Inequities