Kelly Stohl, MSW

No Office on campus (Adjunct Faculty) Mailbox in the H Building.

Phone Number: Work (864) 942-9592  Cell (864) 344-1115

Email: KTS73@DMH.STATE.SC.US

1)      The text in this class is by Thomas J. Sullivan (2000).  The title is Introductions to Social Problems (Fifth Edition).  We will be using it often and it is really easy and interesting to read.  Get to know it well!

2)    I have prepared a reader for class and we will read from it as well as looking at the internet.

Objectives and Outcomes

By successfully completing this course you will:

1)      Have an understanding of what a social problem is, what are some of the causes, and how to eliminate some of the effects.

2)    Discover what the major social problems of the United States and Possibly other countries.

3)   Understand the theories associated with social problems.

4)   A basic understanding of Sociology.

Grading

Assignment                                       % of Grade

Social Problems Papers (2)                50%

Attendance (??)                                15%

Presentations (1)                               20%

Position Papers (6)                           15%

1)      Social Problems Papers:  You will write two (2) papers on a selected Social Problem.  This will be a factual paper.  I expect to see newspapers articles used along with two to three books.  Write four to six pages double-spaced and typed.  No hand written papers will be accepted.  I require that you use critical thinking (I will explain). 

2)    Attendance:  You are expected to be at every class and if you miss you will have to make it up with another Social Problems Paper.  Regardless of the excuse.  Attached is the Piedmont Technical College attendance policy that I will enforce.  If you have a special illness or disability tell me so that arrangements can be made.

3)   Presentations:  You will be required to do a presentation to the class.  You will choose a social problem and give a report on the social problem in class.  You can choose to do this in a group.  Groups will be no larger than three people.  The individual presentation will be five minutes and a group will be twelve minutes.  Make it interesting!  We will discuss this during the semester.

4) Position Papers:  Position Papers are your opinion on a social problem.  You need to back your opinion up and if the instructor feels necessary he will discuss your paper in class (Your views will not be held against you). 

Use the following as a guide:

* = This means that there will be presentations available to do on this day about this subject.

** =  This Means that there is no class.

PP = This means that the position paper is due.

SP = This means that the Social Problem paper is due

Things required in for APA in Social Problems 101.

When citing an author in your paper please do it the following way:

Carl Rogers (1989) discussed his point in his Article, The Human Psyche, that natural consequences come when we do natural things.

                                  Or

In a book on the human psyche (Rogers, 1989) it is dicussed…

The way that you would do your Reference page is this way:

References

C. Rogers (1989).  The Human Psyche. 

Simpsonville, SC: The Stohl Publishing Company.

1.  Attendance: 

q       Students are expected to attend all classes.  Recognizing that situations may arise to prevent such attendance, however, the following policy is set forth to address these situations.

q       Students may be absent for five percent of class meetings for avoidable absences, and no more than an additional ten percent of class meetings for unavoidable absences.  In extreme circumstances, students may be absent for a length of time mutually agreed upon between the instructor and the student that exceeds this percentage of class meetings.

q       Attendance for less than a full class period may be counted as one-third of an absence.

Student Responsibilities:

q       Understand the college’s attendance policy and the make-up procedures followed in each class.

q       Understand the rationale for class participation being necessary to accomplish the learning outcomes of the course.

q       Understand the importance of attending the class and being prompt to class

q       Communicate to the course instructor promptly any problems affecting his or her attendance to class or change in enrollment status

q       Provide verification of reason for class absences if requested by an instructor.

q       Attend class on a regular, consistent basis unless there are unavoidable circumstances preventing attendance.

q       Be committed to completing class work and fulfilling class obligations to other students in the class

q       Show respect for the instructor and other students, communicate concerns clearly, and use appropriate grievous complaint channels, if needed, should misunderstandings occur.

Definitions:

q       Avoidable absence:  An absence where a student voluntarily misses class for non-emergency reason (i.e., sleep late, go hunting, shopping, etc.)

q       Unavoidable absence:  Absences caused by a situation or set of circumstances which were unforeseen and over which the student has no control (i.e., automobile accident, death in immediate family, child ill, or work schedule change, etc.)

q       Extreme circumstance:  Absences which are unforeseen and of which the student has no control that occur in extended intervals of time to a student who has the potential to pas the course through make-up,.