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Morehead State University

Caudill College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences


School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Department of Sociology, Social Work and Criminology

American Social Problems Soc 203


Online Version – FALL 2019

Instructor and Contact Information:


Dr. Constance Hardesty
327 Rader Hall 783-2202
c.hardes@morehead-st.edu

Office Hours: T and TH 10:30 – 12:30 3:15 – 5:00 and By appointment.

Catalog Course Description


This course introduces students to the basic principles, concepts, and theories of social
problems such as poverty, racism, drug use, sexism, and crime with an emphasis on the
societal conditions that contribute to the social problems. This course satisfies the SBS I
requirement for general education.

General Education Intended Student Learning Outcomes For This Course


1. (SLO 1d) Convey relationships using two or more of the following: equations, graphs,
tables, maps and diagrams. Assessment: writing assignments and exams.
2. (SLO 2c) Analyze or evaluate diverse points of view. Assessment: writing assignments and
exams.
3. (SLO 4a) Investigate the history of the basic principles or operations of the United States
government with a view to being a responsible citizen. Assessment: writing assignments
and exams.

Course Goals and Objectives


The primary objectives of this course are to . . .

 develop an understanding of how individuals, institutions, and social forces interact to


influence human behavior, social action and multiple areas of social life.
 become familiar with multiple sociological theories and how they explain particular
social problems.
 articulate and defend one’s own theoretical understanding and position on particular
social problems.
 Develop the sociological imagination to understand how macro level social forces affect
individual lived experiences.

Required Text and Video Sources


Social Problems (14th ed). D. Stanley Eitzen, Maxine Baca Zinn, and Kelly Eitzen Smith.
Pearson Publishing. 2018. ISBN 9780134631905

NETFLIX and AMAZON– Most of the writing assignments require that you watch a video.
When possible, I provide links through the library home page or free web sites. However, on
occasion you will be required to watch a film on Netflix or Amazon. If there is an amazon film
required it will be available to rent for $3.99 or less.

Organization of the Course


The course is organized into four sections. Each section comprises about a four-week period
of the course. That is, you have about four weeks to complete each section.

For each of the four sections you are required to complete three lessons. Each lesson
consists of 1) reading a chapter and 2) completing a paper assignment that generally
includes watching a video and tying the video in with specific themes of the reading. Some of
the paper assignments require an activity other than watching a video. After completing the
reading and writing assignment you will 3) take a test over that chapter and writing
assignment.

The paper assignments are worth 10 points each and the tests are worth 40 points each.
Thus, for each lesson you may earn up to 50 points (40 for the test and 10 for the writing
assignment). At the end of the section you potentially could earn a total of 150 points (3
tests at 40 points each plus 3 writing assignments at 10 points each). At the end of the
course you could potentially earn 600 points (150 for each of the four sessions).

Occasionally I open the sections early. In these cases you are allowed to work ahead of
schedule on these sections but you are not allowed to work behind schedule. That is, once
the section is closed you may not go back and complete unfinished work unless you have
made arrangements with me due to extenuating circumstances. Within the four week period
you are allowed to work at your own pace. All work must be completed by the closing date
for that section. I advise you to complete one lesson every week to complete the course on
time. Be aware of the deadlines on the syllabus so that you know when sections are closing.
I will send out reminders but ultimately it is your responsibility. If you become ill or have
other issues that cause you to fall behind then you must notify me immediately to
receive an extension.

SECTION 1 Aug 19 – Sept 15 – work must be completed by midnight Sunday night SEP 15.
SECTION 2 Sept 16 – Oct 13 – work must be completed by midnight Sunday night OCT 13.
SECTION 3 Oct 14 – Nov 10 – work must be completed by midnight Sunday night NOV 10.
SECTION 3 Nov 11 – Dec 11 – work must be completed by midnight Wed night DEC 11.

You need to finish the work prior to the end date unless you have extenuating
circumstances. If you become ill or have other issues I will definitely allow you to make up
the work but sticking to the schedule will keep you from falling behind and will allow me to
keep up with grading. Please notify me immediately if you need an extension on the
deadlines.

SECTION 1 (AUG 19-SEPT 15)


Lesson 1 Chapter 1 Paper CH 1 (10 points) Test CH 1 (40 points) Total 50 points
Lesson 2 Chapter 2 Paper CH 2 (10 points) Test CH 2 (40 points) Total 50 points
Lesson 3 Chapter 3 Paper CH 3 (10 points Test CH 3 (40 points) Total 50 points
SECTION 2 (Sept 16- Oct 13)
Lesson 4 Chapter 4 Paper CH 4 (10 points) Test CH 4 (40 points) Total 50 points
Lesson 5 Chapter 6 Paper CH 6 (10 points) Test CH 6 (40 points) Total 50 points
Lesson 6 Chapter 7 Paper CH 7 (10 points) Test CH 7 (40 points) Total 50 points

SECTION 3 (Oct 14 – Nov 10)


Lesson 7 Chapter 8 Paper CH 8 (10 points Test CH 8 (40 points) Total 50 points
Lesson 8 Chapter 9 Paper CH 9 (10 points) Test CH 9 (40 points) Total 50 points
Lesson 9 Chapter 10 Paper CH 10 (10 points) Test CH 10 (40 points) Total 50 points

SECTION 4 (Nov 11 – Dec 11)


Lesson 10 Chapter 11 Paper CH 11 (10 points) Test CH 11 (40 points) Total 50 points
Lesson 11 Chapter 12 Paper CH 12 (10 points Test CH 12 (40 points) Total 50 points
Lesson 12 Chapter 18 Paper CH 18 (10 points) Test CH 18 (40 points) Total 50 points

SECTION TOTALS 150 points


GRAND TOTAL 600 points

Deadlines
 You are allowed to work ahead of schedule but not behind schedule. For example, if
you complete section 1 of the course prior to the section 1 deadline then you will be
allowed to move on to section 2 of the course, if that section is open. I sometimes
open the sections early.
 Within each section of the course you are allowed to work at your own pace. That is,
you may complete all of the lessons and the exam at the beginning or at the end of the
section.
 Once the section has closed (see the organization of the course above with specific
dates) you WILL NOT be allowed to go back and complete missed work. Therefore, I
suggest that you DO NOT wait until the last minute to complete the lessons. I
recommend that you complete one lesson every day and a half to complete the course
on schedule.
 If you have extenuating circumstances such as an or family emergency then you need
to contact me as soon as possible so that we may make arrangements for you to be
allowed to make up work.

Methods of Student Assessment


Students will be assessed through exams and papers. The specific weighting and details of
these assessment procedures are as listed.

 Tests: (80% of final grade) (40 points each times 12 tests = 480 points total).
There will be 12 tests. Each test covers a single chapter of the course. The exams
consist of 20 multiple choice questions covering the material for that chapter. The
exams will be administered on blackboard. The exams are not comprehensive. They
cover only the material listed for that particular chapter (see section above on
organization of the course). Ideas related to the writing assignments and films
required for the writing assignment may be covered on the exam.
 Papers: (20% of final grade) (10 points each times 12 papers = 120 pts total).
(see note on additional penalties below). For each of the 12 lessons you are
required to write a short paper on the material you have read. You are required to
complete at least half of these papers or you will incur an additional penalty for the
course (see note below). These paper assignments are listed under the lesson folder
for each section of the course. You must complete twelve assignments to receive full
credit. The assignments will be two to four pages in length. They will be used to
measure SLO 1d - Convey quantitative and qualitative relationships using symbols,
equations, graphs, and tables; SLO 2c - Thoughtfully analyze and evaluate diverse
points of view and SLO 4a - Examine the history of the United States and explain
the basic principles and operation of the United States government with a view to
being a responsible citizen.

The assignments will be graded on the following scale:


(0) did not complete the assignment;
(1-4) completed the assignment but did not use effective writing and/or did not
illustrate an accurate understanding of the readings or did not meet page
requirement. Need to put forth more effort.
(5-6) completed the assignment, showed effort, on the right track but off base on
some of the major ideas and/or need to improve the effectiveness of the
writing or did not meet page requirement.
(7-8) completed the assignment, used effective writing skills and illustrated an
accurate understanding of the readings, met page requirement – basically
adequate completion of assignment.
(9-10) Excellent writing, extensive detail provided, in-depth analysis, put forth
extensive effort, few or no typos or grammatical errors. Met or
exceeded page requirement.

Ideas related to the writing assignments and films required for the writing
assignments may be covered on the tests.

 Penalty for Incomplete Paper Assignments – minus 20 - 60 points


Some students choose to focus solely on the tests and ignore the writing
assignments. The writing assignments are an important part of the course and are
used to measure the SLOs. If you miss 0 to 3 writing assignments then you will
miss the points for any assignments that you did not complete but you will incur
no further penalty. If you miss between 4 and 6 assignments then, in addition to
the lost points on the assignment, you will incur an additional penalty of 20 points.
If you miss 7 to 9 assignments then in addition to the lost points on the
assignment, you will incur an additional penalty of 40 points. If you miss more
than nine assignments then you will incur an additional penalty of 60 points.

Extenuating Circumstances
If you experience extenuating circumstances such as a medical issue,
pregnancy, military assignment, family related problems, etc., that make it
impossible for you to complete assignments or tests on time for a portion of the
course then let me know as soon as possible. In the case of extenuating
circumstances I am willing to work with you to help you complete the course
successfully. However, if you email me at the end of the three-week semester to
tell me that you had an issue earlier in an earlier week then it will be difficult to
make any special arrangements.
Grading Distribution Scale
A= 540 – 600 or above points (90-100%);
B= 480 – 539 points (80-89%);
C= 420 – 479 points (70-79%);
D= 360 – 419 points( 60-69%);
E= 359 or fewer points (<60%).

Academic Honesty Policy:


Cheating, fabrication , plagiarism or helping others to commit these acts will not be
tolerated. Academic dishonesty will result in severe disciplinary action including, but
not limited to, failure of the student assessment item or course, and/or dismissal from
MSU. If you are not sure what constitutes academic dishonesty, read The Eagle:
Student Handbook or ask your instructor. The policy is located at
http://www.moreheadstate.edu/files/units/dsl/eaglehandbook/studenthandbook2008
-09.pdf [pgs.11 and 39]. For example: Copying information from the Internet is
plagiarism if appropriate credit is not given.

Policy for Accommodating Students with Disabilities:


In compliance with the ADA, all students with a documented disability are entitled to
reasonable accommodations and services to support their academic success and safety.
Professional staff from MSU Academic Services Center (ASC) coordinates efforts to
address accessibility needs and class accommodations with instructors of students
who have learning or physical disabilities. Faculty will cooperate with the ASC staff to
accommodate the needs of students taking departmental courses. To receive
accommodations and services the student should contact the Disability Services
Coordinator.

Sociology 203 Social Problems FALL 2019 – schedule


In the following schedule, reading assignments refer to chapters in the text, Social Problems
by Eitzen, Baca Zinn, and Eitzen.

SECTION DATE TOPIC READING


SECTION 1 Aug 19 – Sept 15
Defining Social Problems Chapter 1
Wealth and Power Chapter 2
Global Inequality Chapter 3

SECTION 2 Sept 16 – Oct 13


Demographic Changes Chapter 4
Threats to the Environment Chapter 6
Poverty Chapter 7

SECTION 3 Oct 14 – Nov 10


Racial and Ethnic Inequality Chapter 8
Gender Inequality Chapter 9
Disability and Inequality Chapter 10
SECTION 4 Nov 11 – Dec 11
Crime Chapter 11
Drugs Chapter 12
Social Change Chapter 18

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