SOCIAL PROBLEMS

SYLLABUS

SUMMER 2007 David H. Ridgway

SOC 115/001 CRN 40175 Professor

TR 12:30 – 1:50 PM, 258 CURTIS dhr24@drexel.edu

REQUIRED TEXT: CONTEMPORAY SOCIAL PROBLEMS 6^TH Edition

Vincent N. Parrillo 2005 Allyn & Bacon Publishers

ISBN: 0-205-42076-1

OBJECTIVES: This course examines and explores various social problems

in American society, and how they affect and are affected

by contemporary social attitudes and thought. Theoretical

perspectives are applied to discussions while examining

poverty, mental illness, gender bias, demographics, power

and politics, social class, illegal immigration and crime.

METHODS: This lecture and student-participation course provides ample

opportunity for the free-flowing of ideas and concepts based

on topics contained in the text and elsewhere. The format

enables and empowers you to apply knowledge gained to real

life situations. You are required to lead discussions and

substantially participate in discussions led by others. It is

through active participation you will learn. You are an active

participant rather than an observer. You will enjoy the change.

EXAMINATIONS AND Performance will be evaluated as follows:

EVALUATION:

Class participation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/2

Written projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/4

Facilitation of assigned topic (s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/4

A+ 97-100, A 93-96, A- 90-92, B+ 87-89, B 83-86,

B- 80-82, C+ 77-79, C 73-76, C- 70-72, D+ 67-69,

D 60-66, F 59 & BELOW.

ATTENDANCE AND You’re required to attend class regularly, as evaluations

UNIVERSITY POLICY: are made daily. You’re permitted 4 absences without

penalty. With your 5^th absence, your grade is reduced a letter

for each additional absence, and with 8 absences you will fail.

You must attend class and substantially participate to earn an A+.

University policy will be followed where acts of cheating or

academic dishonesty are discovered.

SCHEDULE OF Due to the format in which this class is conducted the schedule of

STUDY: study is developed in class. The syllabus is subject to change in order

to address situations as they occur. I WILL add one point to your final

numerical score if you are within a point of the next highest letter

grade, raising your GPA. This will only be done for students who

have less than 4 absences, so please plan ahead. If there is poor class

participation and preparation I reserve the right to test by final exam.