4. SOCIAL PROBLEM CONSISTS
OF TWO ELEMENTS
• Objective Element
• Existence of a social condition
• Domestic Violence
• Smoking Marijuana
• Smoking Cigarettes in public
• Gang Violence
• Loud music
• Animal Rights
• Homosexuality
• Child Labor
• Slavery
Mooney, L. A., Knox, D., & Schacht, C. (2000).
5. SOCIAL PROBLEM CONSISTS
OF TWO ELEMENTS
Subjective Element
• A group of peoples belief that a particular social
condition is harmful to society or a segment of the
society and should be changed.
Individuals and groups frequently disagree about what
constitutes a social problem.
Mooney, L. A., Knox, D., & Schacht, C. (2000).
6. SOCIAL PROBLEM DEFINED
A social problem is a social condition that a segment of
society views as harmful to members of society and in
need of remedy.
Levels
Local
State
National
International
Mooney, L. A., Knox, D., & Schacht, C. (2000).
7. HOW DID WE END UP HERE?
Finding out about a problem
Wanting to do something to
help
Not seeing how you can help
Not doing anything about it
Feeling sad, powerless, angry
Deciding that nothing can be
done
Beginning to shut down
Wanting to know less about
problems
Cycle of Cynicism
A Better World Handbook
8. “THAT’S JUST THE WAY THE
WORLD IS”
Slavery will always exist
Women will never be allowed to vote
Whites and Blacks will never share the same classrooms
People in wheelchairs will never have access to public
buildings
Free public school will never happen
America will always be a British colony
Interracial marriage will never be legalized
A Better World Handbook
9. “IT’S NOT MY
RESPONSIBILITY”
Whose car causes smog?
Whose use of energy causes global warming and climate
change?
Whose apathy leads to low voter turnouts?
Whose frown makes people think that your community is
an unfriendly place?
Whose purchases keep an unethical company in
business?
Whose lack of support for a community group causes it
to close its doors?
A Better World Handbook
10. “ONE PERSON CAN’T MAKE A
DIFFERENCE”
Your letter can be the one that changes the behavior of
an entire corporation
Your vote can elect government officials that really make
a difference
Your timely call to a friend can change their outlook for
the day.
Your donation can help an organization meet its goals
Your participation can transform a small group of people
into the beginnings of a social movement
A Better World Handbook
11. “THIS SEEMS
OVERWHELMING”
Many people live in contradiction with their values
You wish people were friendlier, but you realize that you are often
too busy to smile and say hello
You detest the thought of children slaving away in a sweatshop, yet
you buy the clothes or shoes they make
A Better World Handbook
12. “I DON’T HAVE THE TIME OR
ENERGY”
We surround ourselves with more and more technology
to save ourselves some time and then often find
ourselves at the mercy of it. In the end it seems as if we
have less time and more to get done.
When you take the time to reschedule your life based on
your deeply held values, you will find all of the time
necessary to live a fulfilling life that contributes to others
Upon examining your priorities, you may discover that
although you value spending time with your family, you
actually spend much of your free time watching TV.
A Better World Handbook
13. HOW DO WE BREAK THE
CYCLE?
Stop blaming others for not doing anything and begin to
take personal responsibility for being good citizens in
this world.
Cycle of Hope
Taking personal responsibility for being a good citizen
Creating a vision of a better world based on your values
Seeking out quality information about the world’s
problems
Discovering practical options for action
Acting in line with your values
Recognizing you can’t do everything
A Better World Handbook
14. HOW CAN APPLIED LEARNING
IN EDUCATION HELP?
Applied learning focuses on preparing students for the
workforce by taking the skills learned in the classroom
and using them in real-world settings.
15. TYPES OF APPLIED LEARNING
Classroom Applications: Activities that enhance skills and
classroom discussion.
Global Applications: Expanding global knowledge
through in class and out of class opportunities.
Workplace Applications: Real world experiences and
networking advantages.
Service Learning: Community engagement projects that
support course objectives and provide social and cultural
experiences.
17. National service-learning clearinghouse. (2004). What is
service-learning? Retrieved from Learn and Serve America’s
National Service-Learning Clearinghouse site:
http://www.servicelearning.org/page/index.php?detailed=338
Rubin, M. (April 21, 2009). Designing a successful service-learning
course: A practical approach [Webinar]. Retrieved on
April 23, 2009 from
http://www.innovativeeducators.org/v/vspfiles/V4_Backup/serv
icelearning2.pdf
Notas do Editor
Talking Points:
(Mooney, Knox, & Schacht, 2000 pp. 2-3)
What is a Social Problem? There is no universal, constant, or absolute definition of what constitutes a social problem. Rather, social problems are defined by a combination of objective and subjective criteria that vary across societies, among individuals and groups within a society, and across historical time periods.
Talking Points:
Social condition. We become aware of social conditions through our own life experiences, through the media, and through education. We see the homeless, hear gunfire in the streets, and see battered women in hospital emergency rooms. We read about employees losing their jobs as business downsize and factories close. In television news reports we see the anguished faces of parents whose children have been killed by violent youth. Teenagers who play loud music in a public park obviously do not view it as a problem, but some other people may consider it an undesirable social condition. Some nonsmokers view smoking as an undesirable social condition that should be banned or restricted in public buildings.
Talking Points:
Subjective Element- We know that crime, drug addiction, poverty, racism, violence, and pollution exist. These social conditions are not considered social problems, however, unless at least a segment of society believes these conditions diminish the quality of human life.
Variability in Definitions of Social Problems
For example, some Americans view the availability of abortion as a social problem, while others view restrictions on abortion as a social problem. Similarly, some Americans view homosexuality as a social problem, while others view prejudice and discrimination against homosexuality as a social problem. Such variations in what is considered a social problem are due to differences in values, beliefs, and life experiences.
Definitions of social problems vary not only within societies, but across societies and historical time periods as well. For example, prior to the nineteenth century, it was a husband's legal right and marital obligation to discipline and control his wife through the use of physical force. Today, the use of physical force is regarded as a social problem rather than a marital right.
Talking Points:
Every newspaper is filled with stories about undesirable social conditions. Examples include crime, violence, drug abuse, and environmental problems. Such social problems can be found at the local, state, national and international levels. You will be focusing in the Public Policy Analyst on social problems in your own community.
The four examples of social problems above could possibly exist in all of these communities. For example, there could be a problem of increased stealing within your school or throughout the school district. Likewise, local police agencies—village, town, city and county—maintain statistics on crimes such as thefts within their jurisdiction.
Talking Points:
Deeply ingrained belief that human beings are, and always have been , inherently selfish
We begin to see the world as a place that will always have social problems therefore do nothing about it.
Repeat over and over until apathy results
IF you look back through history you will discover that the world has always faced seemingly insurmountable challenges: slavery, hunger, warfare, intolerance. How would the world look if people throughout times had just accepted the troubles of their time?
No point to try to change anything….
Every situation has been created by humans; therefore, it can be changed by humans
I didn’t cause the worlds problems so why should I be responsible for fixing them?
Appears to be true until you realize that many social problems are created by the daily actions of the millions and millions of people in the world.
Problems such as racism, hunger, and inequality seem so big that it’s easy to feel small and powerless. You are only one person in a planet of 6 billion people.
We need to begin thinking about what we can provide future generations rather than what we can take for ourselves.
Talking Points:
Applied learning helps students retain up to 85% more information and skills than lecture alone. By bringing real-world application into the classroom students improve critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills, self-confidence, and self-esteem. Applied learning also strengthens instructor-student relationships as well as a helps student’s build a network in the community and outside of our campus. Overall leading to better career outcomes for students.
Talking Points:
Classroom Applications: Activities that enhance skills and classroom discussion.
Simulations
Labs
Teamwork activities
iPad activities
Global Applications: Expanding global knowledge through in class and out of class opportunities.
Traveling abroad
Connecting with peers at other GEN schools
Connecting with other students around the globe
Workplace Applications: Real world experiences and networking advantages.
Internships
Practicums
Clinicals
Industry outreach assignments
Service Learning: Community engagement projects that support course objectives and provide social and cultural experiences.
Raising funds
Donation drive
Volunteer work at a local not-for-profit organization
Creating awareness
Finding and gathering information for public interest