SOC 210(F) The Construction of Social Problems
Drugs, crime, homelessness, abortion, AIDS, domestic violence, illiteracy, child abuse. How are these troubles and tragedies of individual lives transformed in public discourse into "social problems?" This course explores how scientists, academicians, advocacy groups, the media, and experts of various sorts, as well as our legislatures and courts, frame public debate about the social significance of personal troubles. More specifically, who defines widespread personal troubles as social problems? Once begun, how are debates about problems sustained? What underlying values guide the positions of the various parties to specific public discourses? Do different participants, say, "the media" or "scientists" have consistent perspectives across a range of problems? Does the peculiarly moralistic character of public debates about "social problems" help or impede the actual resolution of major issues in our society? Requirements: choice of short papers and a final exam or research project.