Course overview
Why are some issues, such as gambling or domestic violence, defined as social problems which should be ‘fixed’, while others are not? Which actors are involved in turning social issues into problems and what interests might they serve? How does the definition of a problem shape the kinds of responses or policy interventions offered? This course responds to these questions by exploring the ways in which social problems are socially created. Students learn how social problems relate to different worldviews and theoretical perspectives and develop their capacity to analyse the social-economic processes surrounding the construction of issues as problems and attempts by policymakers to address them.
- Defining & Responding to Social Problems
- Making Social Problems
- Investigating Social Problems
Course learning outcomes
- Demonstrate comprehension of sociological theories relating to social problems.
- Develop an informed understanding of social problems, using high quality evidence and sociological perspectives.
- Analyse a social phenomenon using an objectivist approach to social problems.
- Examine a social phenomenon using a constructionist approach to social problems.
Availability
Class details
Adelaide City Campus East
Class number 30012
Section LE01
Size 150
Available 147
Class number 21947
Section SE01
Size 30
Available 28
Class number 21946
Section SE02
Size 30
Available 30
Class number 21534
Section SE04
Size 30
Available 30
Class number 21533
Section SE05
Size 30
Available 29
Magill
Class number 30010
Section LE01
Size 150
Available 150
Class number 21950
Section SE01
Size 30
Available 30
Class number 21949
Section SE02
Size 30
Available 30
Class number 21948
Section SE03
Size 30
Available 30
Class number 21537
Section SE04
Size 30
Available 30
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