----- Original Message -----
From: "John Glass" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2005 5:27 PM
Subject: TEACHSOC: stupid question #1 - social problems
<<the "problematic" part is a judgement (by different parties). i realize
that these points come out in the course of teaching the class, but aren't
we entering into a discussion of human behavior from an already biased
standpoint?>>
I believe so--unless you teach the class from a constructivist perspective.
That is, you take the position that social "problems" are constructed and
defined, and they change over time and across space. Then, a "problem" is a
problem only under specific historical, social, and cultural circumstances.
<<do we really need a course in social "problems?" i mean isn't social/human
behavior what we are stuyding?>>
Yes and yes. My former advisor likes to argue that the study of sociology is
inseparable from the study of social problems. But that doesn't eliminate
the need for a course in social problems, I don't think. If nothing else,
the course gives us a chance to outline for students how a sociological
approach to "problems" differs from the more typical (i.e., psychological,
individualistic) approaches they're used to.
Best,
Mike
***********************
Michael DeCesare
California State University, Northridge
Department of Sociology
336 Santa Susana Hall
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330-8318
818.677.7198
818.677.2059 (Fax)
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.csun.edu/~mdecesare
