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.