Fall 2019 Course Syllabus Course: SOCI-1306- Section: 71 Social Problems

Instructor Information
Instructor	Kristi Clark
E-mail	clarkkb@lamarpa.edu
Phone	(409) 984-6330
Office	Location: Education Annex - Room: 133 Hours: Office Hours upon request at 409-698-0826
Department	General Education and Developmental Studies Chair: Dr. Michelle Davis E-mail: davisml1@lamarpa.edu Phone: (409) 984-6341 If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.
Course Information
Description	Application of sociological principles and theoretical perspectives to major social problems in contemporary society such as inequality, crime and violence, substance abuse, environmental issues, deviance, or family problems.
Prerequisites	None
Learning Outcomes	Upon successful completion of this course, students will: 1. Demonstrate comprehension of content-area reading material. measured by PSLO Alpha Pre & Post Test. 2.Describe how the sociological imagination can be used to explain the emergence and implications of contemporary social problems. ( PSLO 1, 2, 3) measured by: exams, assignments, video assignments and/or research/proposal assignment. 3. Explain the nature of social problems from at least one sociological perspective, e.g., critical, functional, interpretive, etc.( PSLO 1.2,3, 5 ) measured by: discussions, assignments, video assignments and/or research/proposal assignment. 4. Identify multidimensional aspects of social problems including the global, political, economic, and cultural dimensions of social problems.( PSLO 1,2,3,5 ) measured by discussions, assignments, video assignments and/or research/proposal assignment.
Core Objectives
Program Student Learning Outcomes	PSLO ALPHA: Reading skills - Demonstrates comprehension of content-area reading material. PSLO 1: Critical Thinking Skills - Uses creative thinking, innovation, inquiry and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information. PSLO 2: Communication Skills - Demonstrates effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and/or visual communication. PSLO 3: Empirical and Quantitative Skills - Applies the manipulation and/or analysis of numerical data or observable facts resulting in informed conclusions. PSLO 5: Social Responsibility Skills - Expresses intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities.
Textbooks	Text: Social Problems and the Quality of Life, 14th Edition, 2019, McGraw Hill. ISBN-13# 9781259914300 or ISBN# 1259914305 by Robert Lauer and Jeannette Laurer
Lecture Topics Outline	Week 1 and Week 2: Course Introduction, syllabus review, post test, orientation items assigned Week 3 and Week 4: Social Problems defined Week 4 and Week 5: Alcohol and other Drugs Week 6 and Week 7: Crime and Delinquency Week 8: Violence and Sexual Deviance Week 9 and Week 10: Poverty and Gender and Sexual Orientation Week 11 and Week 12: Race,Ethnic Groups, and Racism; Government and Politics Week 13: Work, Economy, Education; Week 14: Family Problems, Health Care and Mental Illness Week 15: War, Terrorism, and the Environment Week 16: Research paper
Major Assignments Schedule	1). Chapter discussions: I will post these discussions under the ASSIGNMENT link. The chapter discussions will be similar to guided reading, which means, to help you as you read the chapters. They will be graded. There will BE 15 chapter discussions and they will be worth 10 points each totaling 150 points. The Semester Project is a very important assignment. For the Semester Project, students will have an Academic Research Paper. 2) Academic Paper - Students will follow a standard research format (taught in Eng 1302; MLA or APA) which will include a cover sheet, outline, some form of citation or footnoting, and a works cited page. The paper will require research on a social problem related topic such as moral decline, racial injustice, family disorganization, poverty, globalization, social change, marriage and divorce, or any issue raised by the assigned text. The paper will be a MINIMUM OF 4 TO 6 PAGES in length, word processed, double-spaced, standard font size (12), Courier or Times Roman, default margins, and otherwise professional in form and appearance. There are to be at least FIVE resources (educational resources) NO WIKIPEDIA OR SUCH. Topics for THE RESEARCH PAPER will have to be approved by the instructor. The completed Academic Semester Paper will have a due date posted on the CALENDAR LINK as well. A complete outline for the research paper will be posted on the homepage at a later date. 3) Journals- There will be 10 journal entries for this course. The Journals will be posted in the ASSIGNMENT link. A detailed instructions sheet will also be posted under the ASSIGNMENT link. There will be a current social problem topic assigned. Students will retrieve an article from the internet regarding this social problem topic. Once located, there is a specific outline for the students to complete. Each journal entry is worth 10 points. 4) Assessments/Exams- Unit assessments/exams will be posted with more details later on in the semester. Extra Credit- There will be an opportunity for extra credit (10 pts and 20 pts) which will be posted on the homepage at a later date.
Final Exam Date	December 9, 2019 - 8:00 AM   Through  December 10, 2019 - 11:59 PM
Grading Scale	765-850=A 680-764=B 595-679=C 510-594=D 509 and below =F 1. Journals are worth 10 points each totaling 100 points. 2. Chapter Discussions are worth a total of 150 points. 3. Academic Research Paper is worth 200 points. 4. Assessments/Exams-4 exams worth 100 points each equally 400 total
Determination of Final Grade	1. Journals are worth 10 points each totaling 100 points. 2. Chapter Discussions are worth a total of 150 points. 3. Academic Research Paper is worth 200 points. 4. Assessments/Exams-4 exams worth 100 points each equally 400 total
Course Policies
Instructor Policies
Attendance Policy	Research has shown a cause and effect relationship between attendance and college success. A student with three absences may be dropped from class. Consistent and punctual attendance is mandatory. Students who leave class early or habitually come to class late (over 10 minutes) will be counted as absent. A student may be dropped after three consecutive or five cumulative absences. It is the students responsibility to initiate a drop form if wishing to withdraw. Students should not assume that they will automatically be dropped by the instructor. Students failing to initiate appropriate action for withdrawing from the course through the Admissions office could risk receiving the grade of F. If class is an online class, the student must log in at least two times per week.
Academic Honesty	Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSC-PA policies (Section IX, subsection A, in the Faculty Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
Facility Policies	No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
Important Information
ADA Considerations	The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the the Office for Disability Services Coordinator, Room 231, in the Madison Monroe Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
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Other
HB 2504	This syllabus is part of LSC-PA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.