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
Requirements fulfilled
- Applied Psychology and Human Development: Major electives — any Psychology (PSYC) or Sociology (SOCY) course (no more than two electives from outside LSEHD) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Sociology: Sociology electives (18 credits, generally six courses) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- University Core: Social Science (All undergraduates)
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 4.48 / 5 · Very Good
- Instructor rating
- 4.62 / 5 · Excellent
- Terms evaluated
- 8
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | Charles Derber | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 1–3 hrs/week | 27 of 32 |
| Fall 2025 | Charles Derber | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.4 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 1–3 hrs/week | 18 of 32 |
| Summer 2025 | Clifton Mcguffey | 4.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 | 5.0 | — | 3 of 6 |
| Spring 2025 | Charles Derber | 4.0 | 4.3 | 4.1 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.1 | 4.6 | 4.4 | 1–3 hrs/week | 23 of 29 |
| Fall 2024 | Charles Derber | 4.3 | 4.6 | 4.0 | 4.2 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 1–3 hrs/week | 25 of 29 |
| Spring 2023 | Deniz Uyan | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 1–3 hrs/week | 27 of 29 |
| Spring 2022 | Deniz Uyan | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.9 | 4.3 | 1–3 hrs/week | 23 of 29 |
| Fall 2021 | Deniz Uyan | 4.4 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 1–3 hrs/week | 21 of 28 |
Data freshness
Instructors
Sections
- Section 01
- Section 01
- Section 01