SOCY 1049 Social Problems

This course examines five sets of social problems in the US. These include 1) Socio-economic problems such as inequality, job insecurity and poverty 2) Socio-cultural problems of individualism, isolation, loneliness and loss of community3) Environmental and public health problems of climate change and pandemics 4) Violence problems of militarism abroad and gun violence at home and 5) Political problems of democracy linked to race, gender, class and authoritarianism. While mainly focused on the US, the course also highlights how domestic and foreign policy issues, such as violence at home and abroad, are intertwined. The course examines the structural causes of these problems, technological causes related to social media, and power structures linked to class, race and gender. We examine solutions sought by social movements and legislation.

Course overview

Department
Sociology
School
MCAS
Credits
3
Level
Undergraduate
Offered
Periodically in the Fall,Periodically in the Spring,Periodically in the Summer

Catalog details

Satisfies core
Social Science

Catalog text is imported from the reviewed Boston College course snapshot. Confirm eligibility in EagleApps.

Requirements fulfilled

No source-backed degree requirement is attached to this course yet.

Official evaluation summary

4.48 / 5

Based on 167 aggregate responses from BC Avalanche/Blue evaluations.

Data freshness

Course and evaluation data last updated 2026-08-02. Source details and limitations are documented in Data Sources and Methodology.

Instructors

  • Charles Derber
    Fall 2026, Spring 2026, Fall 2025, Spring 2025, Fall 2024 · Official rating 4.54/5
  • Clifton Mcguffey
    Summer 2026, Summer 2025 · Official rating 4.00/5
  • Deniz Uyan
    Spring 2023, Spring 2022, Fall 2021 · Official rating 4.76/5

Sections

  • Section 01
    Summer 2026 · Clifton Mcguffey · On-line Asynchronous · Offered
  • Section 01
    Fall 2026 · Charles Derber · Gasson Hall 305 TuTh 01:30PM-02:45PM · Offered