Soc. 101 - Social Problems
C. McGehee, Instructor


                            STUDY GUIDE WEEK 1


Discuss the problems of defining "social problems."

Are social problems objective or subjective?

Is there a social problem if nobody knows it?  How many have to know it?

Is there a problem if no one does anything about it?

Is it necessary that a social problem be experienced personally or is it
enough that a problem only be perceived?

What definition of "social problem" was devised in class?  What are its key elements?  
What are their significance?

Is there a solution to all social problems?

Does there have to be a solution?

What do sociologists mean by the following terms?:

        social structure
        institution
        social role
        social class
        social status
                ascribed status
                achieved status
        division of labor
        social mobility
                vertical mobility
upward social mobility (or upward mobility)
blocked mobility (usually refers to blocked upward mobility)
downward social mobility (or downward mobility)
                horizontal mobility
        latent and manifest functions/consequences
        
What is the difference between the "individual", "interpersonal", "institutional", 
and "societal" levels of analysis?

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