American Social Problems in a Global Context

Syllabus

Charles University: May 2008 Block Course

American Social Problems

Instructor: Pamela Jenkins

The University of New Orleans

This course briefly describes a sociological approach to social problems in the United States through an examination of poverty, stratification, racism, and crime. The problems are approached through a sociological lens incorporating several theoretical and methodological perspectives. The course places these American social problems in relation to the global issues in addition to the global response to American policies. Further, these issues are explored within the case study of Hurricane Katrina (September 2005), the response and recovery and the War in Iraq as they exemplify the American response to national and global social problems. 1) May 20: Introduction and Overview

Scott Harris, Social Constructionism and Social Inequality. Journal of Contemporary Ethnography, Vol. 35, No. 3, 223-235 (2006). 2) May 21: The Case Studies of Katrina and the War in Iraq

Film, Spike Lee, When the Levees Break (several portions)

Hurricane in New Orleans? Who Knew? Anticipating Katrina and Its Devastation. By: Tierney, Kathleen. Sociological Inquiry, May2008, Vol. 78 Issue 2, p179-183, 5p; DOI: 10.1111/j.1475-682X.2008.00233.x; (AN 31481788)

Raymond J. Burby, Hurricane Katrina and the Paradoxes of Government Disaster Policy: Bringing About Wise Governmental Decisions for Hazardous Areas. The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, Vol. 604, No. 1, 171-191 (2006). 3) May 22: The Case Studies of Katrina and the War in Iraq (cont.)

Film, Deborah Scranton, The War Tapes

Jacek Kugler, Ronald L. Tammen, Brian Efird, Integrating Theory and Policy: Global Implications of the War in Iraq. International Studies Review, Vol. 6, No. 4, 163 (December 2004.

The Amendment of the War Crimes Act Michael J. Matheson.The American Journal of International Law, Vol. 101, No. 1 (Jan., 2007), pp. 48-55 4) May 23: Crime and Punishment

Support for Harsh Criminal Sanctions and Criminal Justice Beliefs: A Social Dominance Perspective. By: Sidanius, Jim; Mitchell, Michael; Haley, Hillary; Navarrete, Carlos. Social Justice Research, Dec2006, Vol. 19 Issue 4, p433-449, 17p, 1 chart, 3 diagrams; DOI: 10.1007/s11211-006-0026-4; (AN 23857780)

Jennifer Earl, Tanks, Tear Gas, and Taxes: Toward a Theory of Movement Repression. Sociological Theory, Vol. 21, No. 1, 44-68 (March 2003). 5) May 26: Poverty and Stratification

Marian Wright Edelman, James M. Jones, Separate and Unequal: America's Children, Race, and Poverty. The Future of Children, Vol. 14, No. 2, Children of Immigrant Families, 134-137 (Summer, 2004).

First paper due 6) May 27: Prejudice, Discrimination and Racism

Fire and Flood. By: Rubin, Lillian B.. Dissent (00123846), Winter2008, Vol. 55 Issue 1, p5-7, 3p; (AN 28627069)

Amanda E. Lewis, ?What Group?? Studying Whites and Whiteness in the Era of ?Color-Blindness.? Sociological Theory, Vol. 22, No. 4, 623-646 (Dec., 2004). 7) May 28: Analysis of Social Problems: Local and Global Issues

Barry K. Gills, Democratizing Globalization and Globalizing Democracy. Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, Vol. 581, Globalization and Democracy, 158-171 (May, 2002). 8) May 29

Bring final paper to class. Each student will spend some time discussing their paper.

Annotation

This course briefly describes a sociological approach to social problems in the United States through an examination of poverty, stratification, racism, and crime. The problems are approached through a sociological lens incorporating several theoretical and methodological perspectives. The course places these American social problems in relation to the global issues in addition to the global response to American policies.

Further, these issues are explored within the case study of Hurricane Katrina (September 2005), the response and recovery and the War in Iraq as they exemplify the American response to national and global social problems.