Social Problems Final

In my effort to present a "different" kind of course, it makes sense to have a "different" kind of Final Exam...so,

Lets see how you do sorting through the mound of concepts and issues we covered this quarter...including lectures, ideas in Eitzen/Baca-Zinn, and in the Online Reader. There are some which are "meatier" than others...I'm looking for the "meat" here.

I hope you've learned that "studying social problems" is a much more complicated endeavor than before taking this course. The relative nature of a "social problem" should be clear by now...that what is considered a social problem varies according to perspective, position in society, and awareness.

So, what I'm asking you to do here is give me an overview of the material and orientation of our course...by selecting five (5) major and interconnecting ideas, concepts, or issues. As mentioned above, lectures, textbook, and Online Reader material...including the selected Sociological Concepts...are your sources for these selections. Pick the ones which best enable you to summarize SOC 225 in both perspective and content.

In short, fit the puzzle together in 5 big pieces...explain each and connect them to the others. As a help, below is a list of subjects I feel are very important. I constructed this list while I was still considering asking some individual questions. However, as I did this I changed my mind and decided on the "pick 5" approach. But the list is now useful (although not exhaustive) in providing a glimpse at various ideas eligible for inclusion in your selections.

Length? Well, it's up to you, but I'd personally tend to overdo it a bit rather than make it short just to be done.

If you do the exam at home...please strive to type the exam, although very neat handwriting is also acceptable (and very necessary for anyone who writes the exam in our classroom).

Also, I'd try to sort through materials a little at a time, not in one sitting, especially not on the night before it's due. There's a lot to choose from...do it with care. Maybe creating a list of "possible" selections along the way and then selecting your five from it...would be a good idea.

Finally, remember...this is an Exam...not an opinion paper. In other words, tell me what you've learned (even if you don't necessarily agree with everything). Your opinion is important, but it will become clear by the selections you choose...that's quite sufficient. In short, take the exam, yourself, and me seriously.

LIST OF POSSIBLE SUBJECTS