Content and Objectives of the Course
This course will introduce you to the definition and study of social problems. Rather than focusing on the conditions we ordinarily think of as social problems, in this course, we will learn and take a social constructionist analytical approach to examine how various actors come to define conditions as problematic, the claims making and other strategies that take place in these definitional processes, and the outcomes of these processes for specific cases. How is it that a social phenomenon comes to be seen as a social issue? How do people decide what is or is not a social problem, and how do they organize to get others to agree? What is at stake in this process? We will examine and learn to apply concepts such as "typification," "claims making," "medicalization," "ownership," and "moral entrepreneur" to contemporary exemplars of social problems activities. In addition, students will have the opportunity to analyze a social problem of their choice during the semester. By the end of the semester you should be able to meet the following objectives:
• identify important scholarly articles in the sociology of social problems and find them in Morris Library and/or online.
• understand how social problems are constructed in everyday life
• critically assess claims about social problems
• use course concepts to analyze the social construction of a contemporary social problem, using data you have collected
• see improvements in your critical thinking and expository writing skills

Required Texts

Best, Joel (Editor). 1995. Images of Issues: Typifying Contemporary Social Problems. (2nd Edition). New York: Aldine de Gruyter .
Loseke, Donileen. 1999. Thinking About Social Problems: An Introduction to Constructionist Perspectives. New York: Aldine de Gruyter.

Individualized Readings for Annotated Bibliography (see requirements and grading, below)

Requirements and Grading

Participation and Attendance: (10%)
Students are expected to come to class having completed the assigned readings for that day. You can demonstrate your preparedness by commenting on and/or questioning material from readings and lecture. You can ask for an explanation of something you didn't understand or comment on things you thought were interesting. You are expected to be able to discuss the articles and data you have chosen (described below). This portion of your grade is assessed each class meeting, as follows:

• present, on time, and participates 3 pts
• present, but late or quiet 2 pts
• present, but late and quiet 1 pt
• absent and informs instructor 0 pt
• absent but fails to inform instructor -1 pt
•

Annotated Bibliography/Literature Review: (10%)
In addition to reading the Loseke and Best texts, each of you will construct an annotated bibliography using JOURNAL ARTICLES cited in the Loseke text. Each chapter contains references to important articles in the sociology of social problems, from which you will choose a total of five (5) over the semester. Each week that a chapter from Loseke is assigned (with the exception of the last chapter, which we don't read until the last week of class), you have the option of turning in an entry chosen from that chapter. This means that you may choose two (2) weeks for which you do not turn in an entry. Entries for a specific chapter are only accepted during the week we are reading that chapter. No late entries will be accepted. Instructions for the annotated bibliography will be handed out prior to the first assignment.

Data collection: (10%)
During the course of the semester, you will collect data for sociological analysis using course concepts. Data for this course are MEDIA REPRESENTATIONS of social phenomena that are being defined as social problems. These can be newspaper, magazine, or internet articles and/or editorials, brochures, advertisements, or anything that makes a claim about the social problem you choose. You will be responsible for bringing at least one piece of ILLUSTRATIVE data each week until presentations (described below) begin. No late data will be accepted. Instructions for turning in data will be provided prior to the first assignment.

Analytical memos: (10%)
Analytical memos are based on articles from the Best text. Each week that we are reading this text, you will choose one of these article and construct a one page analytical memo in which you choose a concept from it and use your own data to illustrate its broader relevance. There are three (3) memos assigned, meaning that you may choose one (1) week for which you do not have to turn in a memo. The data you describe in the memos fulfills the data collection requirement for those weeks. Instructions for the analytical memos will be handed out prior to the first assignment.

Research presentation: (10%)
In November, you will work in groups to practice analyzing the data you have collected and present preliminary findings to the class in panel discussions. The grade for this requirement is an INDIVIDUAL grade, but is based in part on attendance at group meetings (all of which happen during regularly scheduled class hours).

Research report: (20%)
This report is similar to a take home exam, in that you will be given a list of questions to answer. Your answers to the question will formalize the analysis you practiced in your presentation, drawing upon the text, your bibliography, and your data. DUE: December 6 (the last regular class meeting).

Final exam: (25%)
The comprehensive, in class final exam format will be a combination of multiple choice and true/false questions. FINAL EXAM DATE: FRIDAY DECEMBER 13 FROM 10:1Oam 12:10pm. Please read the schedule of classes reguarding make up exams.

Self Assessment: (5%)
Instructions for self assessments are attached to the syllabus. This assignment is due the last regular class meeting.

(NOTE: Assignments are due on Mondays, except Labor Day Week and the last week.)

Week One (August 19 23): Introduction to Social Constructionism
Read Chapter One in Loseke.

Week Two (August 26 30): The Problem with Social Problems
Turn in Chapter One annotated bibliography entry.
Read Chapter Two in Loseke.

Week Three (September 4 6): The People and Tasks in Constructing Social Problems
Turn in Chapter Two annotated bibliography entry and data illustrating a point made in Chapter
Two.
Read Chapter Three in Loseke.

Week Four (September 9 13): Constructing Moralities
Turn in Chapter Three annotated bibliography entry and data illustrating a point made in Chapter
Three.
Read Chapter Four in Loseke.

Week Five (September 16 20): Constructing Conditions and People
Turn in Chapter Four annotated bibliography entry and data illustrating a point made in Chapter
Four.
Read Chapter Five in Loseke.

Week Six (September 23 27): Social Problems and Even:day Life
Turn in Chapter Five annotated bibliography entry and data illustrating a point made in Chapter
Five.
Read Chapter Six in Loseke.

Week Seven (September 30 October 4): Social Problems and Social Services
Turn in Chapter Six annotated bibliography entry and data illustrating a point made in Chapter
Six.
Read Introduction and Part One in Best.

Week Eight (October 7 11 ): Claims
Turn in Part One analytical memo.
Read Part Two in Best.

Week Nine (October 14 18): Claimsmakers
Turn in Part Two analytical memo.
Read Part Three in Best.

Week Ten (October 21 25): Connections
Turn in Part Three analytical memo.
Read Part Four in Best.

Week Eleven (October 28 November 1 ): Policies
Turn in Part Four analytical memo.

Weeks Twelve Thirteen and Fourteen (November 4 2): Contemporary Exemplars
Present your research to the class (dates TBA).

THANKSGIVING RECESS (November 23 Dec 1)

Week Fifteen (December 2 6): Social Constructionist Perspectives on Social Problems
Turn in Research Report (on Friday December 6).
Read Chapter Eight in Loseke and Afterward in Best.

Week Sixteen: Comprehensive Final Exam Friday December 13 from 10:10 am to 12:10 pm