SOAN 117 Introduction to Social Problems

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 will explore a variety of real and manufactured social problems in the U.S. context. Readings will be coupled with documentaries, podcasts, and TV show episodes to help us understand and discuss social problems, how they are created, and how to work toward solving them.

OWU Units: 1.00. Crosslisting(s): None. Prerequisite(s): None. Corequisite(s): None. Antirequisite(s): SOAN 110. Fee: None. Core Competency: Examine Power and Inequities. Offered: TBD.