SO 254 - Social Problems

Description
This course is designed to acquaint students with the nature of social problems from a sociological perspective and provides an overview of the basic concepts, theories, and research essential for analysis of social problems. Issues examined include inequality, stratification, crime and justice, health and medicine, race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality, the environment, families, urbanization and population growth and more. There may also be opportunities to focus more narrowly on particular topics of interest. Both the objective and subjective realities of social problems are examined using the social structure of the United States as the primary unit of analysis. By the end of the course, students will know the predominant concepts and perspectives that are used by sociologists to understand social problems.

Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
Prerequisites/Other Requirements: None
English Prerequisite(s): None
Math Prerequisite(s): None
Course Corequisite(s): None
Academic Program Prerequisite: None
Consent to Enroll in Course: No Department Consent Required
Dual Enrollment Allowed?: Yes
Number of Times Course can be taken for credit: 1
Programs Where This Course is a Requirement:
Dental Assisting, A.A.A.S., Dental Hygiene, A.A.A.S., Pre-Sociology, A.A. (General Transfer)

General Education Requirement:
Social Sciences
General Education Learner Outcomes (GELO):
3. Critical Thinking: Gather and synthesize relevant information, evaluate alternative perspectives, or understand inquiry as a means of creating knowledge, 4. Cultural Competence: Understand diverse interpersonal and cultural perspectives through analysis of scholarly or creative works
Course Learning Outcomes:

Understand and apply the sociological imagination by evaluating social situations with a focus on how social forces shape personal experiences.
Comprehend what constitutes a social problem through objectivist and subjectivist lenses.
Understand the connections between structural systems of power and inequality and social problems.
Describe sociological perspectives and more focused theories as they relate to social problems and social situations. (GELO 3)
Identify appropriate sociological research methods and research questions to study specific social problems. (GELO 3)
Demonstrate competency using sociological perspectives, theories, concepts, and research to frame and interpret various social problems. (GELO 3)
Analyze social problems at the local, regional, national, and global levels. (GELO 4)
Apply principles of sociology to understand and explore the rights and responsibilities of individuals within a civil society as it relates to specific social problems.
Describe existing, proposed, and potential strategies to address social problems.

Course Outline:

Sociology and the Study of Social Problem
Social Class
Race, Ethnicity, and Immigration
Gender
Sexuality
Work, Unemployment, and Economy
Disability and Ableism
Families
The Environment
Physical and Mental Health, Health Care, and Medicine
Crime and Justice
Urbanization, Population Growth, and Aging
Drugs and Other Alcohol
Education
War and Terrorism
Progressive Plans to Solve Social Problems and Social Action

Approved for Online and Hybrid Delivery?:
Yes
Instructional Strategies:
Lecture: 50-80%
Self-paced readings: 10-30%
Self-paced assignments: 10-30%
Discussion Board: 0-30%
Critical thinking activities: 0-30%
Mandatory Course Components:
None
Equivalent Courses:
None

Accepted GRCC Advanced Placement (AP) Exam Credit: None
AP Min. Score: N/A
Name of Industry Recognize Credentials: NA

Course prepares students to seek the following external certification:
No
Course-Specific Placement Test: None
Course Aligned with ARW/IRW Pairing: IRW 99

Mandatory Department Assessment Measures:
None

Course Type:
General Education- Offering designed to meet the specific criteria for a GRCC Distribution Requirement. The course should be designated by the requirement it fulfills.
Course Format:
Lecture - 1:1
Total Lecture Hours Per Week: 3
People Soft Course ID Number: 101215
Course CIP Code: 45.11
Maximum Course Enrollment: 36
General Room Request: None

High School Articulation Agreements exist?: No
If yes, with which high schools?: None
Non-Credit GRCC Articulation Agreement With What Area: No
Identify the Non Credit Programs this Course is Accepted: NA

School: School of Liberal Arts
Department: Social Sciences
Discipline: SO
Faculty Credential Requirements:
Master’s Degree (GRCC general requirement), 18 graduate credit hours in discipline being taught (HLC Requirement)
Faculty Credential Requirement Details:
The Professor should possess a Masters Degree/Ph.D. in Sociology. Also, the Professor should have some training and experience in Community College teaching and online/lecture course delivery.

Major Course Revisions: General Education Review
Last Revision Date Effective: 20220216T13:48:23
Course Review & Revision Year: 2026-2027