SOC 449: Social Problems: Impact on the Workplace

Course Description

This course will focus on an analysis of major contemporary social problems, especially in the United States. Particular attention is given to the problems of poverty, racism, sexism, drug and alcohol abuse, and illiteracy, as well as their impact on the contemporary workplace. (3 credits)

Prerequisites

  • ENG 101: English Composition 1
  • ENG 102: English Composition 2
  • SOC 101: Sociology

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  1. Analyze a range of social problems in the United States and internationally, including poverty, racism, sexism, drug and alcohol abuse, and educational inequality.
  2. Assess alternative solutions and propose effective ways of solving social problems, both in the workplace and in the larger society.
  3. Analyze and appropriately apply sociological theories and concepts to social problems.
  4. Evaluate the arguments, supporting evidence, and rhetorical strategies of written and audio-visual discourse about social problems.

Course Activities and Grading

AssignmentsWeight

Discussions (Weeks 1-8)

25%

Critical Essays (Weeks 1-7)

50%

Problem-Solution Paper/Presentation (Week 8)

25%

Total

100%

Required Textbooks

Available through Charter Oak State College's online bookstore

  • Lauer, R., and Lauer, J. Social Problems and the Quality of Life. 15th ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill, 2023. ISBN-10: 1-265-78185-0 or ISBN-13: 978-1-265-78185-9 [Looseleaf version]

Course Schedule

Week

SLOs

Readings and Exercises

Assignments

1

1,3,4

Topic: Problems of Behavior Deviance, Part 1
  • Readings:
    • Textbook: Chapters 1 and 4
    • Selected articles/videos in the course
  • Complete required readings/viewings
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Write and submit Critical Essay

2

1,3,4

Topic: Problems of Behavior Deviance, Part 2
  • Readings:
    • Textbook: Chapters 2 and 3
    • Selected articles/videos in the course
  • Complete required readings/viewings
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Write and submit Critical Essay

3

1,2,4

Topic: Problems of Inequality, Part 1
  • Readings:
    • Textbook: Chapter 6
    • Selected articles/videos in the course
  • Complete required readings/viewings
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Write and submit Critical Essay

4

1,3,4

Topic: Problems of Inequality, Part 2
  • Readings:
    • Textbook: Chapters 7 and 8
    • Selected articles/videos in the course
  • Complete required readings/viewings
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Write and submit Critical Essay

5

1,2,3,4

Topic: Problems of Social Institutions, Part 1
  • Readings:
    • Textbook: Chapters 9 and 10
    • Selected articles/videos in the course
  • Complete required readings/viewings
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Write and submit Critical Essay

6

1,3

Topic: Problems of Social Institutions, Part 2
  • Readings:
    • Textbook: Chapters 11 and 12
    • Selected articles/videos in the course
  • Complete required readings/viewings
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Write and submit Critical Essay

7

1,3,4

Topic: Global Social Problems
  • Readings:
    • Textbook: Chapter 14
    • Selected articles/videos in the course
  • Complete required readings/viewings
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Write and submit Critical Essay

8

1,2,3,4

Topics: Problem-Solution Paper and Presentation
  • Readings:
    • No readings assigned for this week.
  • Write and post Problem-Solution Paper to both Assignments and Discussion Board
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Complete and submit the Course Evaluation

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.