Description
SOC 220 Social Problems GCU
SOC 220 Full Course Discussions GCU
SOC 220 Topic 1 DQ 1
Select a social problem that is important to you. Explain how this problem is socially constructed. What contributes to this social problem? What elements of society contribute to this problem, and how can it be alleviated? How is this problem perpetuated today?
SOC 220 Topic 1 DQ 2
The Sociological Imagination encourages the idea to look at the world and its situations through a wider lens. Consider a social problem that you, your family, or maybe your close friends have experienced. To look at the problem through a wider lens than your own perspective, apply the Sociological Imagination to the problem:
In order to do this, look past your previously constructed rationale, explore other possible reasons, on the micro (individual) and macro (political/systems/global) levels that may have impacted or perpetuated this social problem. Describe how using your sociological imagination helps you see the social problem. Does it widen your view?
SOC 220 Topic 2 DQ 1
Read the journal articles about various inequalities that exist in America. Pick one of the areas (such as wage inequality, gender pay, racial gaps, etc). What are some historical solutions to the area of inequality that you selected? Explain if modern day solutions have been more effective in alleviating the problem or not.
SOC 220 Topic 2 DQ 2
Compare and contrast the American and Norwegian incarceration systems. Distinguish at least three characteristics that are similar as well as distinct. Identify what is being done in each system to minimize the negative impacts on individuals lives, the community, and the larger issue of incarceration and its impact on society. Which characteristics seem to be the most effective?
SOC 220 Topic 3 DQ 1
Poverty in urban areas tends to perpetuate social deviance. GCU conducts community outreach to local areas that are struggling with poverty. After reading the GCU Statement on Integrating Faith and Work document, how might the CWV influence the way to address this social problem?
SOC 220 Topic 3 DQ 2
Investigate and create a list of both informal and formal deviance (things that were/are against the law as well as those against social norms). Identify at a solution/technique/action that was used both historically and used in modern times, to control/react to the deviant behavior you listed. Discuss what the differences are and if the modern solutions are more effective than historical solutions and why modern solutions replaced historical ones.
SOC 220 Topic 4 DQ 1
Consider why persons with disabilities are considered a vulnerable population. Share with others experiences you may have had with individuals born with a physical ailment, children or adults with cognitive delays, people who may have suffered traumatic brain injury (i.e. possibly due to an accident, effects from war, etc.). What have you learned about challenges that impact their lives, that you may not have considered without this personal experience? Research programs that exist (America, or globally) to better integrate persons with disabilities into society and mitigate the disparities they face. Develop your own list of opportunities/programs/activities that can better support people with various disabilities. Consider the Micro and Macro approach to your thinking, and develop at least one idea per level. Why do you feel these may be viable solutions? What may be some of the barriers that these ideas face?
SOC 220 Topic 4 DQ 2
Elder abuse in America, and around the world, is a social problem that may not be recognized. To gain a better understanding, use the following website to gain background information: https://www.ncoa.org/public-policy-action/elder-justice/elder-abuse-facts/.
Define elder abuse, and explain what makes an older adult vulnerable. What has been done in the past, in your own state, or in another part of the world to educate, prevent, or mitigate the effects of elder abuse? Have these solutions been effective? What about current solutions? Explain if current solutions are more effective.
SOC 220 Topic 5 DQ 1
According to some politicians, student loan debt is an economic emergency that is stopping young people from such things as purchasing cars, starting businesses, buying their own homes, etc. Historically, what has been done to alleviate this social problem? How do you think, if perpetuated, this problem may impact you or the community you live in? What are some solutions to this modern day problem?
SOC 220 Topic 5 DQ 2
Research the issue of education disparity between impoverished families and those from high income families/communities. Explain if research shows that students from high income families achieve better in school. Develop a list outlining possible reasons why this disparity is real. Next, create a list of possible solutions micro (individual) and macro (systems, laws) solutions) that can address this disparity, with hopes of closing the gap.
SOC 220 Topic 6 DQ 1
There are many arguments and much research that demonstrates the failing healthcare system for urban America. Researching the issue of failing healthcare, develop a list of historic as well as contemporary healthcare inequalities and consider how you agree/disagree. Provide support to your arguments. Historically, what has been done to help alleviate this social problem? What are some effective modern day solutions being proposed? Explain why they are effective.
SOC 220 Topic 6 DQ 2
What do you think is the most pressing social problem facing America throughout the term of the last five presidents and today? What do you feel is the role of the government in the process of dealing with the social problems of their time on the micro and macro levels? What do you think has shaped your views?
SOC 220 Topic 7 DQ 1
There are various forms of collective violence. These include:
-War, terrorism, political conflicts
-Genocide, disappearances, torture, human rights abuses
-Organized violent crime (gangs, etc.)
In order to apply the sociological imagination to this problem, select one of the forms of collective violence and describe the consequences of that type of collective violence on the macro and micro levels. What might it be like to experience the type of collective violence you selected? Give specifics of how your current life would be affected by this type of violence. What global social problems might be perpetuated by this type of collective violence? Next, propose a possible solution to the global social problems you presented.
SOC 220 Topic 7 DQ 2
Migration and immigration is an age-old process of people moving across borders. Some argue it is detrimental to a country’s stability and others say that it brings benefits. Historically, what were some effective solutions to this social phenomenon? Develop a list of pros and cons to U.S. as well as Global migration. Describe the impact on individuals, countries, and the larger world context. What are some effective modern day solutions that are being proposed?
SOC 220 Full Course Assignments GCU
SOC 220 Topic 1 Introduction to Social Problem Essay Questions
Answer the following prompts in an essay format:
First, select a social problem to analyze throughout this course. You may select from the list or come up with a social problem you wish to analyze:
- Euthanasia
- Illiteracy
- Human Trafficking
- Alcohol abuse
- Inequity in the workplace
- Drug Abuse
- Poverty
- Child Abuse
- Juvenile Delinquency
- Economic inequality
Remember, you will use your selected social problem to complete other assignments throughout this course.
In an essay format, cite one scholarly source from the GCU library in addition to the textbook and complete the following:
- Describe your selected social problem in its social context. (55- 75words).
- Use your sociological imagination to explain how the selected social problem is influenced by society (75-100 words).
- Select the theoretical perspective(s) (functionalist, conflict, and interactionist) that best aligns with the social problem you’ve selected to analyze in this course.
- Explain why the theoretical perspective(s) you chose is best to explain the selected social problem.
- Next, use that theoretical perspective(s) to explain how your selected social problem came to be and how it is perpetuated. (150-200 words)
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a scoring guide. Please review the scoring guide prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.
Submit the assignment to your instructor by the end of Topic 1.
SOC 220 Topic 2 Social Inequality Worksheet
Access the “Social Inequality Worksheet” to complete the assignment.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a scoring guide. Please review the “Social Inequality Worksheet” scoring guide prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.
Submit the assignment to your instructor by the end of Topic 2.
SOC 220 Topic 3 Social Deviance Worksheet
Access the “Social Deviance Worksheet” to complete the assignment.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a scoring guide. Please review the “Social Deviance Worksheet” scoring guide prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.
Submit the assignment to your instructor by the end of Topic 3.
SOC 220 Topic 4 Vulnerable Populations Worksheet
Access the “Vulnerable Populations Worksheet” to complete the assignment.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a scoring guide. Please review the “Vulnerable Populations Worksheet” scoring guide prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.
Submit the assignment to your instructor by the end of Topic 4.
SOC 220 Topic 5 Social Problems Within Education Worksheet
Access the “Social Problems Within Education Worksheet” to complete the assignment.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a scoring guide. Please review the “Social Problems Within Education Worksheet” scoring guide prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.
Submit the assignment to your instructor by the end of Topic 5.
SOC 220 Topic 6 Social Problems Presentation
For this assignment, imagine you have been asked to speak at a conference about your selected social problem.
Create a PowerPoint presentation to present all that you have learned about the social problem you selected:
- Describe the selected social problem in social context:
- What elements of society contribute to this problem, and how can it be alleviated?
- What has perpetuated the problem?
- Summarize actual solutions to your selected social problem you found in research and compare them to historical solutions.
The PowerPoint presentation should consist of 12-15 slides not including the title slide and slide for APA citations. Images may be included in the presentation, but be sure to keep all image sizes low for this presentation.
Refer to the resource, “Creating Effective PowerPoint Presentations,” located in the Student Success Center, for additional guidance on completing this assignment in the appropriate style.
While APA style is not required for the body of this assessment, solid academic writing is expected and in-text citations and references should be presented using APA documentation guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.
Submit the assignment to your instructor by the end of Topic 6.
SOC 220 Topic 7 Benchmark Social Problem Final Essay
After analyzing various social problems in this course, in an essay assignment (750-1,000 words), address the following citing three to five scholarly sources from the GCU library:
First, summarize what you’ve learned regarding the impact of social phenomenon (for instance, social inequality, social deviance, etc.) on the social problem you selected from macro and micro perspectives.
Next, in Topic 1, you explained how the theoretical perspective(s) that best aligns with your selected social problem (conflict, functionalist, and interactionist) explains how it came to be and is perpetuated. In this essay, explain how your study of the theoretical perspectives has deepened your understanding of why the social problem you’ve selected continues to exist and how it can be alleviated.
Lastly, provide your own possible solutions to your selected social problem that are more effective than current solutions, based on research you’ve collected.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.
Submit the assignment to your instructor by the end of Topic 7.
Benchmark Information
This assignment assesses the following programmatic competency:
BS Sociology
1.3: Analyze a social phenomenon from both the macro and micro perspectives.
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