Overview
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
Digital course materials
Links to the following course materials will be made available in the course:
Kendall, D., Nygaard, V. & Thompson, E. (2016). Social problems in a diverse society (4th Cdn. Ed.). Toronto: Pearson Canada.
Physical course materials
The following course materials are included in a course package that will be shipped to your home prior to your course’s start date:
Sharp, M. (2009). The rocket scientists' guide to money and the economy: Accumulation and debt. St. Albert, AB: Avatar Publications.
Fulkerton, L. (dir.) & Corry, J. (prod.). (2011). Forks over knives. New York: Virgil Films and Entertainment.
Other Materials
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.
Evaluation
For more information please contact the course coordinator .
Challenge for credit course registration form