CONSTRUCTING SOCIAL ISSUES

UCF ● SOCIOLOGY ● FALL 2021

Instructor: H. Sam Park, Ph.D. | GTA: Richard Colón (contact via Canvas)

Office: Howard Phillips 403N | Phone: 407-823-5083 | E-mail: hyung.park@ucf.edu | Office Hours: Tue 3-5pm on Zoom (https://ucf.zoom.us/j/97370287190 Links to an external site.)

 

**UCF expects that all members of our campus community who are able to do so get vaccinated and that all members of our campus community wear masks indoors even if they are fully vaccinated, in accordance with CDC guidelines. If you develop symptoms, get tested. If you have tested positive, please call the university’s COVID line (407-823-2509). They will inform you of steps you should take related to your health. For more information on Covid-19 on campus, please visit the UCF coronavirus website Links to an external site..**

 

 

A. COURSE INTRODUCTION

 

1. Course Description

This course is designed to promote the students’ sociological understandings of the current social problems facing the U.S. The social problems to be explored include economic, racial/ethnic, and gender inequality, immigration, social media, guns, abortion, healthcare, automation, and climate change. These social problems are discussed with the guidance of the major theoretical approaches to social problems. Students will learn not only the extent to which social problems undermine the well-being of particular groups of people but also the ways in which those conditions are considered as problematic. The essential components to be completed for credit are discussions, quizzes, and essays.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to explain the extent to which social problems undermine the well-being of particular groups of people.

• Students will be able to explain the conditions and processes that make particular social conditions considered as problematic.

 

2. Required Textbooks*

Spector, Malcolm and John I. Kitsuse (“SK” below). [1987]2000. Constructing Social Problems. Transaction Publishers. ISBN: 978-0-7658-0716-8.

Best, Joel (“JB” below). 2021. Social Problems. 4^th edition. W.W. Norton. ISBN: 978-0393533040.

 

**Students must obtain the required textbooks by the first week of the semester. Additional readings and media contents will be posted to supplement the required textbooks.**

 

3. Webcourses@UCF

All course materials will be posted on Webcourses@UCF including announcements, syllabus, lecture slides, articles (links), web links, video clips, discussions, project resources, assessment items, and scores, if applicable. It is strongly suggested that students visit Webcourses on a regular basis to access these course materials. The students will NOT be excused for NOT having access to webcourses for any period of the semester. Other IT resources that may help students include UCFMobile, UCF Apps, Dropbox Links to an external site., and Google Drive Links to an external site..

 

 

B. COURSE REQUIREMENTS (107 PTS.)

Below are the categories in which students are expected to build credit for the final grades:

1. Academic Activity 1 Pt.

2. Syllabus Quiz 1 Pt.

3. Group Discussions 10 Pts. (2 x 5 Pts.)

4. Exams 95 Pts. (Quizzes 50 Pts = 5 x 10 Pts.; Essays 45 Pts. = 3 x 15 Pts.)

Grade	F	D-	D	D+	C-	C	C+	B-	B	B+	A-	A
%	≤ 59	62-60	63-66	67-69	70-72	73-76	77-79	80-82	83-86	87-89	90-92	93-100

• Final percentages will be rounded up - e.g., 59.4 ≅ 59 (F) and 59.5 ≅ 60 (D-). There is NO extra credit offered.

 

1. Academic Activity (1 Pt.)

Per federal regulation, students must engage in an academic activity or have confirmed attendance in a course in order to receive the earliest financial aid disbursement for that course. By completing this Academic Activity (ACADEMIC ACTIVITY - Introduce Yourself (1 Pt.), the students who are eligible to receive a financial aid will be qualified for the earliest financial aid disbursement. The activity is due Friday of the first week and will continue to remain open. Later completions will be accepted but will result in later financial aid disbursements.

 

2. Syllabus Quiz (1 Pt.)

Students are required to read the syllabus carefully and take Syllabus Quiz (1 Pt.) to better understand the course – e.g., abbreviations, schedule, requirements, and policies. By taking this quiz, students will get familiar with the format of the quizzes that they will take throughout the semester. This quiz is due 11:59pm, Sunday of the first week and will be available for two more days with NO penalty.

 

3. Group Discussions (10 Pts.)

Students will participate in two group discussions on Canvas. For full credit, students must post their original responses to the discussion prompt AND comment on their peers’ posts throughout the discussion period. To support the posts, students must use the concepts and approaches learned from the lectures and course materials, not personal beliefs or speculations.

 

4. Exams (95 Pts.)

Students will complete five quizzes and three essays throughout the semester. In addition to the information below, more will be provided with the assessment item on Canvas.

• Quizzes (5 x 10 Pts.): To take a quiz, students must use a computer, not a mobile device, with a reliable Internet connection. Because students take quizzes at different times, there are several restrictions on the format of the quizzes: NO collaboration is allowed. Only one attempt is allowed. Questions will be locked after answering. Students’ own responses and correct answers will NOT be provided. However, students are welcome to inquire about how they did after each quiz is completed. Scores will be temporarily muted and released after all students finish taking the quiz.

• Essays (3 x 15 Pts.): Students will write three analytical essays (length: 1,000-1,200 words) based on their understandings of the covered materials. They will have a full week to complete each essay. Late essays will only be accepted for two more days with a 10% point deduction per day. All submissions must reflect the students’ own effort. The students involved in plagiarism will receive a zero score on the given exam and be subject to disciplinary action specified below under Course Policy – 1. Academic Integrity.

 

**In case of emergency, students must notify the instructor BEFORE a required assessment item (e.g., essay) is administered and submit valid documents for the excuse (e.g., hospital admission records, police arrest records) within three days of the due date. Failing to do so will result in a zero score for the missed item.**

 

C. COURSE SCHEDULE

Date	Topic
8/23 - 9/3	STUDYING SOCIAL PROBLEMS ·   SK 1. Introduction (pp.1-12;20-22)   A. THE OBJECTIVIST APPROACH ·   JB 1. The Social Problems Process (pp.3-10) ·   PROBLEM 1. ECONOMIC INEQUALITY - The Price of Inequality Links to an external site. (Stiglitz 2012) - “Conclusion: Slow Growth and Inequality are Political Choices. We Can Choose Otherwise Links to an external site.” (Stiglitz 2014) > GROUP DISCUSSION 1 (8/30 MON - 9/5 SUN)
9/6 - 9/17	> QUIZ 1: SK 1 AND JB 1 (DUE: 9/12 SUN) ·   PROBLEM 2. RACIAL DIVIDE - “Somewhere Between Jim Crow and Post-Racialism: Reflections on the Racial Divide in America Today Links to an external site.” (Bobo 2011:11-14;19-23;29-32) - "What Racial Injustice Looks Like In America’s Economy Links to an external site." (Bernstein 2016)
9/20 - 9/24	> QUIZ 2: PROBLEMS 1 AND 2 (DUE: 9/26 SUN) > ESSAY 1: SK 1, JB 1, AND PROBLEMS 1 & 2 (DUE: 9/26 SUN)
9/27 - 10/8	B. THE FUNCTIONALIST APPROACH ·   SK 2. Functional and Normative Definitions (pp.24-28;39-41) ·   PROBLEM 3. IMMIGRATION - “Does Immigration Grease the Wheels of the Labor Market?” (Borjas 2001:69-71;118-119;Tables 1 & 2) - "The Economic Effects of Granting Legal Status and Citizenship to Undocumented Immigrants Links to an external site." (Center for American Progress 2013) > GROUP DISCUSSION 2 (10/4 MON - 10/10 SUN)
10/11 - 10/22	> QUIZ 3: SK 2 AND PROBLEMS 3 (DUE: 10/17 SUN) C. THE VALUE-CONFLICT APPROACH ·   SK 3. The Value-Conflict School ·   SK 4. Social Problems and Deviance: Some Parallels (pp.59-63;71-72) ·   JB 2. Claims (pp.29-41;54-62) ·   PROBLEM 4. GUNS - “Gun Rights vs. Gun Control Links to an external site.” (PRC 2016) - “Continued Bipartisan Support for Expanded Background Checks on Gun Sales Links to an external site.” (PRC 2015) ·   PROBLEM 5. ABORTION – “Religion, Values, and Attitudes toward Abortion” (Harris & Mills 1985:137-142;143-148)
10/25 - 10/29	> QUIZ 4: SK 3-4, JB 2, AND PROBLEMS 4-5 (DUE: 10/31 SUN) > ESSAY 2: SK 2-4, JB 2, AND PROBLEMS 3-5 (DUE: 10/31 SUN)
11/1 - 11/12	D. THE PUBLIC ARENAS APPROACH ·   JB 6. Public Reaction (pp.170-185;197-204) ·   “The Rise and Fall of Social Problems: A Public Arenas Model” (Hilgartner & Bosk 1988:53-56;58-61;69-72;74-75) ·   PROBLEM 6. HEALTH CARE - “Health Care in the United States: A Right or a Privilege” (Bauchner 2016)
11/15 - 11/26	E. THE CONSTRUCTIONIST APPROACH ·   SK 5. Social Problems as Claims-Making Activities ·   JB 1. The Social Problems Process (pp.8-14) ·   JB 2. Claims (pp.41-54) ·   “Social Problems Theory: The Constructionist View Links to an external site.” (Schneider 1985:209-212;223-227) ·   PROBLEM 7. CLIMATE CHANGE - “Challenging Global Warming as a Social Problem” (McCright & Dunlap 2000:499-500;504-506;510-519) (11/25-11/26 Thanksgiving)
11/29 - 12/6	> QUIZ 5: SK 5, JB 1, 2, 6, AND PROBLEMS 6 & 7 (DUE: 12/6 MON) > ESSAY 3: SK 5, JB 1, 2, 6, AND PROBLEMS 6 & 7 (DUE: 12/6 MON)

Schedule Subject to Change ● Academic Activity by Aug 27 (Fri) ● UCF Classes End: Dec 3 (Fri)

 

D. COURSE POLICY

 

1. Academic Integrity

Students should familiarize themselves with UCF’s Rules of Conduct. According to Section 1, “Academic Misconduct,” students are prohibited from engaging in:

• Unauthorized assistance: Using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information or study aids in any academic exercise unless specifically authorized by the instructor of record. The unauthorized possession of examination or course-related material also constitutes cheating.

• Communication to another through written, visual, electronic, or oral means: The presentation of material which has not been studied or learned, but rather was obtained through someone else’s efforts and used as part of an examination, course assignment, or project.

• Commercial Use of Academic Material: Selling of course material to another person, student, and/or uploading course material to a third-party vendor without authorization or without the express written permission of the university and the instructor. Course materials include but are not limited to class notes, Instructor’s PowerPoints, course syllabi, tests, quizzes, labs, instruction sheets, homework, study guides, handouts, etc.

• Falsifying or misrepresenting the student’s own academic work.

• Plagiarism: Using or appropriating another’s work without any indication of the source, thereby attempting to convey the impression that such work is the student’s own.

• Multiple Submissions: Submitting the same academic work for credit more than once without the express written permission of the instructor.

• Helping another violate academic behavior standards.

 

Students should also familiarize themselves with the procedures for academic misconduct in UCF’s student handbook, The Golden Rule. UCF faculty members have a responsibility for students’ education and the value of a UCF degree, and so seek to prevent unethical behavior and when necessary respond to academic misconduct. Penalties can include a failing grade in an assignment or in the course, suspension or expulsion from the university, and/or a “Z Designation” on a student’s official transcript indicating academic dishonesty, where the final grade for this course will be preceded by the letter Z. For more information about Academic Integrity, please consult The Center for Academic Integrity Links to an external site..

 

2. Copyright

This course may contain copyright protected materials such as audio or video clips, images, text materials, etc. These items are being used with regard to the Fair Use doctrine in order to enhance the learning environment. Please do NOT copy, duplicate, download or distribute these items. The use of these materials is strictly reserved for this online classroom environment and your use only. All copyright materials are credited to the copyright holder.

 

3. Third-Party Software And FERPA

During this course you might have the opportunity to use public online services and/or software applications sometimes called third-party software such as a blog or wiki. While some of these could be required assignments, you need not make any personally identifying information on a public site. Do NOT post or provide any private information about yourself or your classmates. Where appropriate you may use a pseudonym or nickname. Some written assignments posted publicly may require personal reflection/comments, but the assignments will NOT require you to disclose any personally identity-sensitive information. If you have any concerns about this, please contact your instructor.

 

4. Student Accessibility Services (SAS)

The University of Central Florida is committed to providing access and inclusion for all persons with disabilities. Students with disabilities who need disability-related access in this course should contact the professor as soon as possible. Students should also connect with Student Accessibility Services (SAS) <http://sas.sdes.ucf.edu/> (Ferrell Commons 185, sas@ucf.edu, phone 407-823-2371). Through Student Accessibility Services, a Course Accessibility Letter may be created and sent to professors, which informs faculty of potential access and accommodations that might be reasonable. Determining reasonable access and accommodations requires consideration of the course design, course learning objectives and the individual academic and course barriers experienced by the student.

 

5. Deployed Active Duty Military Students

If you are a deployed active duty military student and feel that you may need a special accommodation due to that unique status, please contact your instructor to discuss your circumstances.

 

6. Make-Up Assignments for Authorized University Events or Co-curricular Activities

Students who represent the university in an authorized event or activity (for example, student-athletes) and who are unable to meet a course deadline due to a conflict with that event must provide the instructor with documentation in advance to arrange a make-up. No penalty will be applied.

 

7. Religious Observances

Students must notify their instructor in advance if they intend to miss class for a religious observance. If there is any assignment missed due to the religious observance, students must arrange a make-up. No penalty will be applied.

 

8. Campus Safety

Emergencies on campus are rare, but if one should arise during class, everyone needs to work together. Students should be aware of their surroundings and familiar with some basic safety and security concepts.

• In case of an emergency, dial 911 for assistance.

• Every UCF classroom contains an emergency procedure guide posted on a wall near the door. Students should make a note of the guide’s physical location and review the online version at http://emergency.ucf.edu/emergency_guide.html.

• Students should know the evacuation routes from each of their classrooms and have a plan for finding safety in case of an emergency.

• If there is a medical emergency during class, students may need to access a first-aid kit or AED (Automated External Defibrillator). To learn where those are located, see http://www.ehs.ucf.edu/workplacesafety.html(click on link from menu on left).

• To stay informed about emergency situations, students can sign up to receive UCF text alerts by going to eduand logging in. Click on “Student Self Service” located on the left side of the screen in the toolbar, scroll down to the blue “Personal Information” heading on the Student Center screen, click on “UCF Alert”, fill out the information, including e-mail address, cell phone number, and cell phone provider, click “Apply” to save the changes, and then click “OK.”

• Students with special needs related to emergency situations should speak with their instructors outside of class.

• To learn about how to manage an active-shooter situation on campus or elsewhere, consider viewing this video Links to an external site..