This course is an interdisciplinary introduction to select contemporary American domestic issues. Political Science, Economics, Sociology and History are all applicable to such an investigation and will be drawn upon. We’ll consider issues that fall under the categories: Gender Relations & Contemporary Families, The Economy & Employment; Community & Social Change as well as other timely & newsworthy issues that develop on the national scene over the semester. Throughout the semester, the local impact or local reflection of national issues will also be discussed. Discussion of gender, class and race relations will be integrated throughout the semester.

Lectures provide appropriate historical context and offer a framework to analyze text, news sources and other materials. Class discussion will be an engine driving this course and students are expected to prepare for class and be ready to discuss the readings. Quizzes (with no make-up) will address the readings (both Text & Xeroxes) and serve as an indicator of attendance and having read the assigned readings.

This course is Writing Intensive. It uses a variety of short essays and a research paper to foster and demonstrate analytical and critical thinking as well as command of the course content. ALL WRITING ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE COMPLETED TO RECEIVE CREDIT FOR THE COURSE. Additionally, on-going interaction with the instructor regarding writing assignments will be conducted through student/teacher conferences to discuss writing assignments.

ATTENDANCE: Class attendance and engaged participation are important elements to classroom learning. Perfect attendance within each of 3 sections of the course will give 1 extra credit point (total of 3 possible). Also, absences in excess of 5 (excused or unexcused) will lower your grade.

LATE PAPER POLICY: Timely completion of all assignments is expected. Due dates are clearly specified. Late submissions will be downgraded one-third grade for each class period, except under verified extenuating circumstances. (e.g. B+ paper 2 days late = B =B-). If there are emergencies or other circumstances, let me know before the paper is due, not as an excuse for incomplete work.

Curran & Renzetti. Social Problems (Allyn & Bacon, 1996) 4th Ed.

Xerox Articles will be provided in class & are Required Reading

SECTION I: Gender Relations & Contemporary Families

WEEK 1

Tues 8/24 Intro & Logistics of Class Format

- Text pp 16-21 & 27 - 28 “The Perspectives of this Text”

Thurs 8/26 Where do we get our Info? Thinking about the Media

- Text 165-168 “Gender & Sexual Orientation in the Media”

- Xerox: “The Global Media Giants” Extra! By FAIR

- Xerox: “The News Biz Goes Showbiz” etc.

WEEK 2 What’s “Gender?” Socialization -- Learning Gender

Tues 8/31 - TEXT Chpt 5 “Gender Inequality & Heterosexism” (pp160-194)

- Xerox: “Gender Socialization”

Thurs 9/2 - Video “Gender: The Enduring Paradox”

WEEK 3

Tues 9/7 - XEROX: "X: A Fabulous Child's Story." Sample Journal Entry DUE

Thurs 9/9 LIBRARY TOUR
 

WEEK 4 - TEXT Chpt 6 “Problems in Intimate Relationships” (pp221-233)

Tues 9/14 Summary & Analysis Paper #1 Due

- Domestic Violence Hand-Out

- Video: “To Stay or Not to Stay”

Thurs 9/16 “Traditional Family Values?”

- Text (pp.198-220)

- Xerox: “What We Really like about the 1950s”

WEEK 5 Child care & Parenting: Gender/Families @ Work

Tues 9/21 - Xerox:

Thurs 9/23
 

SECTION II: The Economy & Employment

WEEK 6 Gender @ Work Con’t: Sexual Harassment

Tues 9/28 - Xerox: “Sexual Harassment in the Workplace” Summary & Analysis #2 Due

Thurs 9/30

WEEK 7 “Family Friendly?” Duel Income Family Strategies

Tues 10/5 - TEXT: Chpt 6 (pp206 - 216)

- Video: “Running Out of Time”

Thurs 10/7
 

WEEK 8 SERVICE ECONOMY: Where’s It Headed?

Tues 10/12 - Text Chpt. 2 “Economies, Politics & Power” (pp.34-48) Journals 2-5 Due

Thurs 10/14 - Xerox: “The McDonaldization of Society” Chpts 1, 7, &10 by George Ritzer
 

WEEK 9 Global Economy -- Who’s Profiting?

Tues 10/19 - TEXT Chpt 2 (pp.48-53)

- Video: “Fast Food Women”

Thurs 10/21 PACS, Free Speech & Political Control

- TEXT Chpt 2 (53-64)

- Video:

WEEK 10 “We’re All Middle-Class” -- Class Relations in the US

Tues 10/26 American Consumer Society Summary & Analysis #3 Due

- Xerox: “Malls & The American Way of Life”

- Xerox: Consumer Credit & Domestic Economy

Thurs 10/28 - Text Chpt. 3 “Poverty, Social Class & Inequality” (pp.91-111)

WEEK 11 WELFARE REFORM -- FOR WHOM?

Tues 11/2 - TEXT Chpt 3 (pp111-118)

- Xerox: “Welfare: Poor Logic”

Thurs 11/4 - Video “This Far by Faith” Welfare & Poverty Project Due
 

SECTION III: Community & Social Change

WEEK 12

Tues 11/9 - Text Chpt. 4 “Racial & Ethnic Inequality”

- Xerox: “Language, National Identity, and the Ethnic Label Hispanic”

Thurs 11/11 HOLIDAY -- Veteran’s Day
 

WEEK 13 Hawaiian Sovereignty

Tues 11/16 - Xerox: Hawaiian Sovereignty: Myths & Realities”

Thurs 11/18 - Video: An Act of War 3 Sources Paper Due
 

WEEK 14 Crime: A National Concern; A Community Concern

Tues 11/23 - Text Chpt 10 “Crime, Violence & Drugs”

- Xerox: “Violent Crime: We Are the Enemy”

- Xerox: Prisons: Paths to Economic Recovery?

Thurs 11/25 HOLIDAY -- Thanksgiving
 

WEEK 15 Education: A National Concern; A Community Concern

Tues 11/30 - Text Chpt 8 “Crisis in Education”

Thurs 12/2

WEEK 16

Tues 12/7 Jounals 6-10 Due

Thurs 12/9

A NOTE ON QUIZZES: Quizzes will be taken from the Readings. If you have completed and thought about the readings for class, you will have no problem with Quizzes. You should be familiar with the “Key Terms” at the end of text chapters.

This course is Writing Intensive. It uses a variety of short essays to foster and demonstrate analytical and critical thinking as well as command of the course content. ALL WRITING ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE COMPLETED TO RECEIVE COURSE CREDIT.

FOR ALL PAPERS:

The intent of these papers is to differentiate between the process of summarizing and analyzing content. No more than 1.5 page should be summary; the rest is to be analysis. In these 3 page papers you are to:
 

1. Briefly Summarize the content of a major news article (feature, investigative, social science journal); Offer the writer’s analysis of the topic -- which includes: Argument or Main Point: Supporting information for Argument: Authority/Credibility of Sources (current; relevant; credible
   
   
2. Offer your analysis of the topic -- You should demonstrate an understanding of class readings and critical thinking about the topic. Include: Questions/Issues not addressed by the Author; Sources/Participants Included/not included that lend/lack credibility; Bias (see hand-out "How to Detect Bias in the News")

JOURNALS: (minimum 10 entries = 20 pts)

This is an informal, private style of writing -- a journal. Weekly entries should discuss the new ideas and material encountered in each week’s readings. The Journal is a format where you can begin thinking about and preparing for class discussion. Your comments, questions and thoughts on the readings are appropriate as well as post-class reflections and connections made between pieces.

You may use the Journal entries as thought-pieces to begin your reflections on readings we will discuss in class.

In-class writing assignments can also be considered part of your Journal (if they’re not Quiz Questions)

You may also utilize and comment upon things you see in the world around you. For example, television shows, advertisements, cartoons, interpersonal connections, etc. You should look at your society with a critical eye towards gender relations and may comment upon it in your Journal.

Journals shall be submitted twice during the semester -- dates indicated on syllabus
 

"Women & Poverty" Project:

You are a single mother with two children, aged 3 and 6. Like many women, you left your partner because he was violent. You left recently, so you are not participating in the Section 8 Housing Subsidy program which is no longer accepting new applicants. Your TANF (Temporary Aid to Needy Families) allotment is $570 a month. You receive foodstamps valued at $522 a month. Your family’s healthcare is covered by Quest. You are required by your caseworker to participate in a work training or volunteer program. Your lifetime limit for TANF is 5 years.

For this assignment you must, like all welfare/TANF recipients, be creative -- but your budgets & answers must be realistic! Documentation for your budget will need to be submitted. Newspaper ads or your own notes. If you have a "creative" means of financing something (e.g. a familymember can provide) you need to annotate that. You must indicate if your "creative activities" are illegal and put your family at risk.

For this assignment you must create:
 

1. An itemized monthly budget for the family including rent, utilities, food etc. Don’t forget household items like laundry! If your family owns a car you must budget for gas, insurance, etc. Otherwise, budget for busfare.
   
   
2. An itemized semi-annual budget for "one-time" expenses like school clothes, Christmas, etc.
   
   
3. A separate list of expenses that the family has but cannot meet. 
   
   
4. You are offered a full-time job @ McDonalds working various shifts. It pays minimum wage @ $5.25 and offers insurance benefits for yourself although dependent coverage for your children costs $150 a month. Discuss the pros & cons of taking this job including the day -to-day needs of your family like day-care!

1. Read the material and give yourself time to THINK about it.

While reading and considering the material, think through these questions and be prepared to orally give your answers to the following items:

2. Identify and be able to express in your own words the main point or argument of the reading.

(Good preparation for Class Discussion & Quizzes)

3. Identify the supporting evidence the author uses to prove (or fails to prove) their point.

4. What additional factors might be important to consider?

5. How does this reading relate to (confirm, oppose or offer additional information about) previous readings in the course?

6. Do I have or know of experiences that confirm or dispute this argument?

7. WRITE down your questions or comments about the readings. Refer to page numbers so you & classmates can find the passage in question.

8. Come to class with 3 questions/comments you would like to discuss in class. Be prepared to write these questions on the board.

REMEMBER! Personal experiences and anecdotes should always directly relate to the readings and the connection should be clear to the listener as well as the speaker.