SOC 160

Social Problems and American Values

Instructor Contact Information

Instructor Name and Preferred Title: Anna Poudel, M.A. - please call me Anna
E-mail: [email protected]
Office: https://kansas.zoom.us/my/annapoudel
Office Hours: Email me to schedule

Class Time and Location

Class Time and Location: Online through Canvas
Semester: Fall 2024 | August 26 – December 12

Course Hours and Instructional Methods:

This course is worth 3 credit hours and is taught online asynchronously. All assignments
are unproctored and open note. You can find the deadlines for these in the course
schedule.

Course Description

This course is designed to explore competing explanations for the causes of, and cures
for, the enduring problems of American society. The course critically analyzes dominant
definitions of social problems, the political and economic roots of these problems, and
the public policies aimed at reducing them. May not be taken by anyone who has
already completed SOC 306 or its equivalent.

Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students can expect to be able to:
1. Understand a variety of sociological perspectives on ethical behavior and social
responsibility, including those described by: John Dewey, John Bellamy Foster,
Michel Foucault, Anthony Giddens, Eddie Glaude Jr., Robin Wall Kimmerer,
Tariq Modood, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Deva Woodly
2. Synthesize competing explanations to understand multiple perspectives on social
problems related to the American values of democracy, equality, and
individualism
3. Evaluate claims about social problems using sociological concepts and theories
This course contributes to the following KU Core Goal:
 Goal 5.1 - Social responsibility and ethical behavior
o Upon reaching this goal, students will be able to develop and apply a
combination of knowledge and skills to demonstrate an understanding of
social responsibility and ethical behavior.
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Course Materials

You do not need to purchase any materials for this class. All required content will be
posted to its corresponding week’s module on Canvas.

Course Assignments and Requirements

Assignments in this course include 6 quizzes, 6 reflection assignments, 2 short essay

exams, and 1 final exam.

 6 quizzes
o Except where otherwise noted, quizzes are due Fridays by 11:59pm.
o Each quiz is worth 15 points and can be retaken one time. Quizzes are
open note.
 6 reflection assignments
o Each reflection assignment is worth 20 points.
o Except where otherwise noted, reflections are due Fridays by 11:59pm.
o Reflection assignments can be submitted in any of the following formats:
written document (PDF or Word file), audio file, or video file.
o Reflection assignments provide an opportunity to reflect on course topics
and demonstrate in-depth understanding of the course materials.
 2 short essay exams
o Each short essay exam will have two questions. You will write two short
essays (one for each question). Each essay must be at least 350 words.
This means you will write at least 700 words total per exam. Exams are
open note. The short essay exams will ask you to apply course material in
various ways and think critically.
o Each exam is worth 60 points.
 1 final exam
o The final exam will be due Monday, December 16 by 11:59pm.
o This exam will be worth 60 points, and it will follow the same format of the
first two exams.

General Assignment Information

 All coursework (assignments, exams, etc.) is secured in Canvas with a username

and password.
 All assignments and exams are on the day indicated on the course schedule.
 All online quizzes and tests are secured in Canvas with a password.
 Complete rubrics will be provided in Canvas.
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Evaluation Criteria and Grading Scale

Grading
All grades will be posted on Canvas. You are strongly encouraged to check your scores
in Canvas regularly. A final letter grade will be assigned based on percentages.

Assignment Weights Percent

Quizzes 23%
Reflection assignments 31%
Short essay exams 31%
Final exam 15%

Quizzes (6 x 15 points each): 90 points

Reflection assignments (6 x 20 points each): 120 points
Short essay exams (2 x 60 points each): 120 points
Final exam (60 points)
Total Points - 390 points

Grading Scale

89.5% - 100% = 349 - 390 points = A

84.5% - 89.4% = 329 - 348 points = B+
79.5% - 84.4% = 310 - 328 points = B
74.5% - 79.4% = 290 - 309 points = C+
69.5% - 74.4% = 271 - 289 points = C
64.5% - 69.4% = 251 - 270 points = D+
59.5% - 64.4% = 232 - 250 points = D
0% - 59.4% = 0 - 231 points = F

Extra Credit
I do not offer extra credit or opportunities to earn additional points on assignments
which have already been graded.

Incomplete Grades
You may be assigned an 'I' (Incomplete) grade if you are unable to complete some
portion of the assigned course work because of an unanticipated illness, accident, work-
related responsibility, family hardship, or verified learning disability that has arisen after
the withdrawal period. An Incomplete grade is not intended to give you additional time to
complete course assignments or extra credit unless there is indication that the specified
circumstances prevented you from completing course assignments on time.

Student Survey of Teaching

You will have the opportunity to complete an end-of-semester, online Student Survey of
Teaching, which could inform modifications to this course (and other courses that I
teach) in the future.
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Attendance Policy
This is an online course, so attendance is measured by the completion of course
activities, such as readings and quizzes.

Communication
Please let me know if you need support at any time this semester, including if you are
having trouble keeping up with the course or if any life events come up that get in the
way of your success in the class. Please reach out using your school email. I try to
respond to all email within 24 hours, except during weekends and holidays. During the
week, if more than 24 hours have gone by and you have not received a reply from me,
please feel free to send a follow-up email.

Likewise, I expect students to check their email daily Monday-Friday, except on

holidays/breaks designated by the academic calendar. Make sure you have not turned
off email notifications from Canvas. I send to-do lists each week and reminders about
deadlines. I also communicate via email or Canvas messages about grade checks and
technical issues.

Late Work
Part of the “hidden curriculum” of college is learning time management, making
mistakes, and dealing with repercussions. In line with this, my policy is not to accept late
work or makeup work for reasons of forgetfulness, illness, or life events. Keep in mind
that each module is open for multiple days, and often for a whole week. It is best to plan
on getting work done early in case something unexpected does happen.

That being said, I will grant exceptions on a case-by-case basis for those experiencing
serious illness and extenuating circumstances. If something like this happens, please
reach out to me as soon as possible, or no later than 24 hours past the deadline.

Academic Success
Course Policies
It is important that we all follow two ground rules to preserve a respectful, inclusive
learning space. First, there will be no tolerance for any discriminatory actions,
behaviors, or statements that target someone based on identities related to those in the
section below titled “Diversity and Inclusion.” Second, we will engage in dialogue with
each other, not debate. In dialogue, we listen to understand one another. This is
different from debate, where the goal is to win an argument by being persuasive. In
dialogue, it is also important to remember that words can have an impact beyond what
the speaker intends. If we misspeak, we will apologize and move on. Let’s keep the
class environment productive by extending respect to one another and focusing on what
we understand from the course materials.
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University Policy Links

Policy on Sexual Harassment
Policy on Racial and Ethnic Harassment
Policy on Nondiscrimination
Statement on Diversity and Inclusion
Policy on Academic Misconduct
Policy on Grade Changes and University Senate Rules on Grade Changes
Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities
Policy on Commercial Note-Taking
Policy on Mandatory Reporting
Please note that, as a KU instructor, I am a mandated reporter.

Campus Resources
Writing and Library Support. The Writing Center has trained peer consultants to help
you brainstorm, draft, or edit your writing or speech. You can also consult a librarian for
assistance with research.

Accommodations. The Student Access Center (SAC) coordinates accommodations for

students at KU. It is an individual's choice whether to self-identify, submit
documentation, and make the decision about using accommodations. Accommodations
are authorized after a student submits a complete application with documentation and
meets with an Access Specialist in the SAC. Para-transit is available to students with
temporary or permanent mobility impairments who are unable to use the standard
buses. For contact information please check https://access.ku.edu/contact.

General Student Support. We have a Student Support and Case Manager in Student
Affairs. They are available to help students who need help with access to food and
housing. Contact them by email ([email protected]) or by phone (785-864-4060).

Mental Health Resources. KU has partnered with My SSP (My Student Support
Program) to assist degree-seeking students with stressors they may be facing. Services
focused on mental health and well-being are available 24/7, confidential and free. Learn
more at KU Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). Also, 24-hour suicide/crisis
hotlines are available through Johnson County Mental Health at 913-268-0156 and
Headquarters Counseling Center in Lawrence at 785-841-2345. Students can also
access a non-crisis supportive hotline from 4:00 – 10:00 p.m. daily (including holidays)
through Mental Health America of the Heartland at 913-281-2251.

Academic Misconduct
Any form of cheating or academic dishonesty will be actively investigated and punished.
The University defines academic misconduct in Section 6 of the University Senate Rules
and Regulations: “Academic misconduct by a student shall include, but not be limited to,
disruption of classes; threatening an instructor or fellow student in an academic setting;
giving or receiving of unauthorized aid on examinations or in the preparation of
notebooks, themes, reports or other assignments; knowingly misrepresenting the
source of any academic work.” Plagiarism is not permitted in any form. This includes the
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unauthorized use of another individual’s work as well as turning in work that you have
completed for another course. Cheating will result in an F on the assignment and the
filing of academic misconduct charges.

To avoid plagiarizing, be sure to quote or paraphrase, and then correctly cite, any
information you take from our course materials. This applies to discussion board posts,
essay exams, and the final exam. For help with citations, view the “APA Citation Guide”
document under the Student Resources module in Canvas. All work submitted on
Canvas will be automatically checked for plagiarism. You will be able to see your
plagiarism report immediately after turning in your assignments. I highly recommend
turning in work early enough that you can check your plagiarism report and still have
time to make changes and reupload your work if the report catches any issues.

AI Policy. Any work written by, created by, or reworded from artificial intelligence (AI) is
considered plagiarism. Like the internet 30 years ago, AI is new, rapidly-evolving, and
introduces exciting possibilities. But, please keep in mind as we are all figuring out the
place of AI in our lives that classes like SOC 160 are meant to help you develop
knowledge and skills. Using AI circumvents that kind of learning. This is why using it to
complete assignments for you will result in an F on the assignment and the filing of
academic misconduct charges. It is fine, however, to use AI as a tutor or supplement to
your learning. For example, you can ask it to find additional resources to help you
understand a concept, or have it format references for your written work. AI should be
used as a tool, just like the internet, but it should not be used to produce work for you.
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Tentative Course Schedule

This schedule is subject to change. Any changes will be announced on Canvas.
Unit 1: Democracy
Week 1 Introduction
8/26-8/30  Syllabus
 Reflection assignment instructions
 APA citation guide
Due: Week 1 Quiz

Week 2 Defining “Values” and “Social Problems”

9/2-9/6  DeFronzo, J. & Gill, J. (2019). Chapter 1: The sociology of social
problems. In Social Problems and Social Movements (pp. 1-23).
Rowman & Littlefield.

Due: Week 2 Quiz

Week 3 Participatory Democracy

9/9-9/13  Kimmerer, R. W. (2013). Allegiance to gratitude. In Braiding
sweetgrass: Indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge, and the
teachings of plants (pp. 105-117). Milkweed Editions.

Due: Week 3 Reflection

Week 4 Misinformation
9/16-9/20  Jeremy Earp (Director). (2018). Digital disconnect [Video]. Media
Education Foundation.
https://www.kanopy.com/en/ku/video/2730809/5655084

Due: Week 4 Quiz

Week 5 Political Polarization

9/23-9/27  Corey, D. (2023, May 14). A coalition of the sensible: What’s wrong
with “The New Right.” Public Discourse.
https://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2023/05/88520/
 Pages 41-55 of: Rorty, R. (1998). Achieving our country: Leftist
thought in twentieth-century America. Harvard University Press.

Due: Week 5 Reflection

Week 6 First Short Essay Exam

9/30-10/4 Due: Short essay exam by 11:59pm on Wednesday, October 2
**No quiz or reflection this week

Unit 2: Equality
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Week 7 A Land of Equal Opportunity

10/7-  Pages 121-128 of: Fields, K. E., & Fields, B. J. (2012). Slavery,
10/11 race, and ideology in the United States of America. In Racecraft:
The soul of inequality in American life (pp. 111-148). Verso.

Due: Week 7 Reflection

Week 8 Pluralism
10/14-  Modood, T. (2023). Multiculturalism. IPPR Progressive Review, 30,
10/18 77-83. https://doi.org/10.1111/newe.12350

Due: Week 8 Quiz by 11:59pm

Week 9 Racial Inequality

10/21- Select one of the following:
10/25  Pages 21-29 of: Ancheta, A. (2010). Neither black nor white. In J.
Wu & T. Chen (Eds.), Asian American Studies now: A critical reader
(pp. 21-34). Rutgers University Press.
 Glaude, E. S. (2008). In a shade of blue: An introduction. In In a
shade of blue: Pragmatism and the politics of Black America (pp. 1-
16). The University of Chicago Press.
 Pages 169-182 of: Roediger, D. R. (2005). Finding homes in an era
of restriction. In Working toward whiteness: How America’s
immigrants became white: The strange journey from Ellis Island to
the suburbs (pp. 157-198). Basic Books.
 Woodly, D. (2019). Black feminist visions and the politics of healing
in the Movement for Black Lives. In A. Altinay, M. Contreras, M.
Hirsch, J. Howard, B. Karaca & A. Solomon (Eds.), Women
mobilizing memory (pp. 219-237). Columbia University Press.

Due: Week 9 Reflection

Week 10 Economic Inequality

10/28-  Pages 82-87 of: Foucault, M. (1995). Discipline and punish: The
11/1 birth of the prison (2nd ed.). Vintage Books.
 VanSickle, A. (2024, June 28). Supreme Court upholds ban on
sleeping outdoors in homelessness case. The New York Times.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/28/us/politics/supreme-court-
homelessness.html

Due: Week 10 Quiz

Week 11 Second Short Essay Exam

11/4-11/8 Due: Short essay exam by 11:59pm on Wednesday, November 6
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**No quiz or reflection this week

Unit 3: Individualism
Week 12 American Individualism
11/11-  Dewey, J. (1930). The United States, Incorporated. In Individualism
11/15 Old and New (pp. 36-49). George Allen & Unwin, Ltd.

Due: Week 12 Quiz

Week 13 Community and Social Support

11/18- Select one of the following:
11/22  Barsigian, L. L., Hammack, P. L., Morrow, Q. J., Wilson, B. D. M., &
Russell, S. T. (2020). Narratives of gender, sexuality, and
community in three generations of genderqueer sexual minorities.
Psychology of sexual orientation and gender diversity, 7(3), 276-
292. https://doi.org/10.1037/sgd0000384
 Emba, C. (2023, July 10). Men are lost. Here’s a map out of the
wilderness. The Washington Post.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/07/10/christine-
emba-masculinity-new-model/
 Jones, L. (2024). Care work and creativity in late-stage capitalism.
In Matrescence: On pregnancy, childbirth, and motherhood (pp.
240-258). Penguin Random House.

Due: Week 13 Reflection

Week 14 OFF – Enjoy Thanksgiving Break!

11/25-
11/29 **No quiz or reflection this week

Week 15 Reciprocity
12/2-12/6  Kimmerer, R. W. (2013). The Honorable Harvest. In Braiding
sweetgrass: Indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge, and the
teachings of plants (pp. 175-201). Milkweed Editions.

Due: Week 15 Reflection

Week 16 Dead Week

12/9- Due: Final exam by 11:59pm on Monday, December 16
12/13 **No quiz or reflection this week