Spring 2026 Course Syllabus Course: SOCI-1306 (Section: 71, CRN: 10573) Social Problems

Instructor Information
Instructor	Lawanda Brown
Email	brownl1@lamarpa.edu
Phone	(409) 984-6185
Office	Student Center - Room: 308
Office Hours	Tues. and Thurs. 1-2pm
Additional Contact Information	Brownl1@lamarpa.edu
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. Course Material: Two downloadable PDF files (copy and paste or click the link) 1. Critical Thinking: Social Problems a Sociology Perspective  soc002textcriticalthinkingsocialproblemsasociologyperspective1stedition.pdf 2. Social Problems in Popular Culture MarateaR.J.MonahanBr_2016_SocialProblemsinPopularCulture.pdf
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 A Sociology Perspective: Critical Thinking and Social Problems Chapter 1: Understanding Social Problems Chapter 2.: Social Problems and Poverty Module  Assignment -  Feb. 7th @10pm Module 1 Exam: Feb. 17th Module 2 Social Problems in Popular Culture Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2. Understanding Social Problems and Popular Culture Module Assignment -Mar 7th@10pm Module 2 Exam: Mar. 17th SPRING BREAK Mar, 9th-13th Module 3 A Sociology Perspective: Critical Thinking and Social Problems Chapter 6: Crime and Criminal Justice Chapter 7: Health and Health Care and Informal Fallacies Social Problems in Popular Culture Chapter 3: Blaming Popular Culture for the Existence of Social Problems Chapter 4: Spreading  Problem Claims Through Popular Culture   Module Assignments - Mar 21st@10pm Module 3 Exam:  Apr. 7th Research Assignment: Due Apr. 24th at 8:00 am  Module 4  A Sociology Perspective: Critical Thinking and Social Problems Chapter 7:  Health and Health Care and Informal Fallacies Chapter 8: Urban and Rual Problems / Population and the Environment Chapter 9: War and Terrorism Module Assignment - May 2nd @ 10pm Final Exam: May 11th Note: Late assignment will not be accepted.
Major Assignments Schedule	Module  Assignment -  Feb. 7th @10pm Module 1 Exam: Feb. 17th Module Assignment -Mar 7th@10pm Module 2 Exam: Mar. 17th Module Assignments - Mar 21st@10pm Module 3 Exam:  Apr. 7th Research Assignment: Due Apr. 24th at 8:00 am  Module Assignment - May 2nd @ 10pm Final Exam: May 11th
Final Exam Date	May 5, 2026 - 8:00 AM   Through  May 11, 2026 - 12:00 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	No late assignments are accepted.  Do not attempt an assignment before reading the assigned readings.  Suggest you take all exams on campus to prevent wi-fi glitches.  Do not wait last minute to complete exams or assignments.
Attendance Policy	Research has shown a cause and effect relationship between attendance and college success
Additional Information
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 Disability Services Coordinator, Room 117, in the Student Sucess Center. 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: Dr. Steven Zani Email: zanisj@lamarpa.edu Phone: (409) 984-6431