SOC 102: Social Problems

This course examines the causes, consequences, and possible  solutions to major social problems affecting contemporary society. Through a sociological lens, students will analyze how social, economic, and political structures contribute to inequality and shape public understanding of issues such as poverty, racism, sexism, crime, violence, environmental challenges, health disparities, and family instability. Emphasis is placed on understanding social problems not merely as individual failings, but as outcomes of systemic inequality, power dynamics, and institutional arrangements. Students will engage with current research, data, and case studies to explore how social problems develop, how they are defined in different groups, and how social change can occur through policy, advocacy, and collective action. This course encourages critical reflection and civic awareness by connecting personal experiences to broader social patterns in both U.S. and global contexts.