Fall 2023 Course Syllabus Course: SOCI-1306 (Section: 2C, CRN: 92962) Social Problems

Instructor Information
Instructor	Lawanda Brown
Email	brownl1@lamarpa.edu
Phone	(409) 984-6185
Office	Student Center - Room: 308
Office Hours	The time to discuss any concerns about the lessons or class is the end of the class period.  7:45-8:00pm
Additional Contact Information
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.
Required Textbooks	Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer. Understanding Social Problems, 10th Edition; by Linda  A. Mooney, Dr. David Knox, Dr. Caroline Schacht, Published 2016 by Cengage Learning
Additional Materials/Resources	None.
Corequisites/Prerequisites	A desire to learn.
Learning Outcomes	Describe how the sociological imagination can be used to explain the emergence and implications of contemporary social problems. Explain the nature of social problems from at least one sociological perspective, e.g., critical, functional, interpretive, etc. Identify multidimensional aspects of social problems including the global, political, economic, and cultural dimensions of social problems. Discuss how solutions to social problems are often contentious due to diverse values in society. Describe how the proposed solutions to a social problem, including social policies, may bring rise to other social problems.
Core Objectives	* Communication skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and/or visual communication. * Critical Thinking Skills: Students will engage in creative and/or innovative thinking, and/or inquiry, analysis, evaluation, synthesis of information, organizing concepts and constructing solutions. * Empirical and Quantitative Skills: Students will demonstrate applications of scientific and mathematical concepts. * Teamwork: Students will demonstrate the ability to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal and consider different points of view. * Social Responsibility: Students will demonstrate intercultural competency and civic knowledge by engaging effectively in local, regional, national and/or global communities. * Personal Responsibility: Students will demonstrate the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making.
Lecture Topics Outline	Module 1 Chapter 1: Thinking about Social Problems Chapter 2.: Physical and Mental Health and Health Care Chapter 3; Alcohol and Other Drugs Chapter 4: Crime and Social Control Chapter 5: Family Problems Module  Assignment Module 1 Exam: Sept. 19th Module 2 Chapter 6: Economic Inequality, Wealth, and Poverty Chapter 7: Work and Unemployment Chapter 8: Problems with Education Chapter 9: Race, Ethnicity and Immigration Chapter 10: Gender Inequality Chapter 11: Sexual Orientation and the Struggle for Equality Module Assignments (2 assignments) Module 2 Exam:  Oct. 23rd Module 3  Chapter 12: Population Growth and Aging Chapter 13: Environmental Problems Chapter 14: Science and Technology Chapter 15: Conflict, War, and Terrorism Module Assignment Module 3 Exam: Nov 21st
Major Assignments Schedule	Module  Assignment Module 1 Exam: Sept. 19th Module Assignments (2 assignments) Module 2 Exam:  Oct. 23rd Module Assignment Module 3 Exam: Nov 21st Final Exam: Dec. 12th
Final Exam Date	December 12, 2023 - 5:30 PM   Through  December 12, 2023 - 8:00 PM
Grading Scale	540-600 = A   480-539 = B   420-479 = C   360-419 = D   359 - Below= F
Determination of Final Grade	4 assignments (Total 100pts) 4- exams including the final exam (Total 400pts) 2- Pop Quizzes/Assignments (25pts each) 1- Group Assignment (50pts) Total 600 points Test = 67%  Assignments = 33%
Course Policies
Instructor Policies	Respect yourself and your classmates. Most assignments are class assignments and are due at the end of each assigned class period. Any take home assignments are due the following class period.  No late assignments are accepted.  There are no make up exams without prior notification of absence.  All group members must participate in group assignments. Group members are randomly selected. Students should not leave class without permission.
Attendance Policy	Research has shown a cause and effect relationship between attendance and college success. A student with three or more absence may be dropped from the class.
Additional Information	Please follow all location rules.  Late assignments are not accepted No exam make-up with proper notification and excuse  All assignments must be written or typed on clean paper, ex: no crumbled or reused paper.
Institutional Policies
MyLSCPA	Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.
Academic Honesty	Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
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.
COVID 19 Information	The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition directly to their local health department. Students should also contact their course faculty to report their quarantine status. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings when directly exposed to COVID 19 in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
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.
HB 2504	This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect	As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
Title IX and Sexual Misconduct	LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
Clery Act Crime Reporting	For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.
Grievance / Complaint / Concern	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.
Department Information	Academic Advising Chair: Steven Zani Email: zanisj@lamarpa.edu Phone: (409) 984-6431