SOCI 290: Social Problems is designed to introduce students to the study of social problems: their definition, their dimensions and interconnections, and the effects and strategies for alleviating them.
Outline
SOCI 290 consists of Introduction and five units:
Introduction
Unit 1: Defining Social Problems
Unit 2: Inequality as a Social Problem
Unit 3: Individual Social Problems and Common Sense
Unit 4: Social Problems and Social Institutions: Sociological Theory
Unit 5: Global Population and Global Social Problems
Objectives
The course has the following three overarching learning outcomes:
Define what is meant by the term social problems.
Enumerate the various social problems studied by sociologists.
Apply various sociological theories and research to understand and potentially reduce social problems in Canada.
Evaluation
To receive credit for SOCI 290, you must complete all the assignments and achieve a composite course grade of at least D (50 percent). The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
Activity
Weight
Forum Participation
15%
Assignment 1
5%
Assignment 2 (Part A)
5%
Assignment 2 (Part B)
15%
Assignment 3
5%
Assignment 4
25%
Assignment 5
30%
Total
100%
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Kendall, D., Nygaard, V. & Thompson, E. (2016). Social problems in a diverse society (4th Cdn. Ed.). Toronto: Pearson Canada. (eText)
Sharp, M. (2009). The rocket scientists' guide to money and the economy: Accumulation and debt. St. Albert, AB: Avatar Publications. (Print)
Fulkerton, L. (dir.) & Corry, J. (prod.). (2011). Forks over knives. New York: Virgil Films and Entertainment. (Audio/Video)
The course materials also include an online study guide and course manual.
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized study counterparts.