Introduction to Sociology - Online
Reading Assignments, Lecture Notes, Videos & Web Sites

Unit 10: Social Problems, Social Movements, Public Sociology, & Social Responsibility

Readings:

Social Problems

(1) James Henslin, "How Sociologists View Social Problems: The Abortion Dilemma, chapter 1 in Social Problems: A Down to Earth Approach, 8th ed., Prentice-Hall; read pages 1 - 17.

(2) Robert H. Lauer and Jeannette C. Lauer, "Critical Thinking: Recognizing Fallacies," pages 15 – 23 in Social Problems and the Quality of Life, 12th edition, McGraw-Hill; Chapter 1: “Understanding Social Problems”

(3) Lisa Wade, “The Social Construction of Social Problems,” Sociological Images," September 30, 2009

(4) Frank Newport and Andrew Dugan, "Partisan Differences Growing on a Number of Issues," Gallup Poll, Polling Matters, August 3, 2017

(5) Karen Sternheimer, "When is a Social Problem no Longer a Social Problem?,"Everyday Sociology Blog, April 12, 2012

(6) Karen Sternheimer, "Can Social Problems Be Solved,"Everyday Sociology Blog, May 31, 2010

(7) Natasha Pratt-Harris, "Good Times and Social Problems," Everyday Sociology Blog, August 30, 2013

Visit this Web Site:

Society for the Study of Social Problems

Social Movements

(8) Jonathan Christiansen, "Four Stages of Social Movements"

(9) Lisa Wade, “Media Coverage of Occupy: Lessons from the Civil Rights Movement,” Sociological Images," November 21, 2011

(10) Ryan Graham, "Woody Guthrie Turns 100: The Folk Icon, His Music, and Social Movements," Sociology Lens, July 16, 2012

Public Sociology

(11) Herbert Gans, "More of Us Should Become Public Sociologists," Footnotes, July/August 2002

(12) Karen Sternheimer, "The Promise and Perils of Public Sociology,"Everyday Sociology Blog, July 1, 2013

Social Responsibility

(13) Karen Coates, “Blood on our Backs,”

 

To hear examples of protest songs that played a role in various social movements, see:

Labor Movement: Woody Guthrie, Union Maid, Joan Baez, Joe Hill

1950s and 1960s Conformity: Malvina Reynolds, Little Boxes, Janis Ian, Society's Child

Civil Rights Movement: Joan Baez, We Shall Overcome, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Aint Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around, Phil Ochs, Here's to the State of Mississippi, Mavis Staples, Keep Your Eyes on the Prize, Mavis Staples, We Shall Not Be Moved, John Legend, Woke Up this Morning With My Mind Set on Freedom

Anti-War Movement: Pete Seeger, "Waist Deep in Big Muddy," Peter, Paul, and Mary, Where Have All the Flowers Gone?, Phil Ochs, I Ain't Marching Anymore, Richie Havens, Handsome Johnny, Country Joe and the Fish, Vietnam Rag, Mark Erelli, Volunteer, John Lennon, Give Peace a Chance, Peter Yarrow and Richie Havens, The Great Mandala, Neil Young, Ohio, Bob Dylan (Eddie Veder), Masters of War, Bob Dylan (Joan Baez), With God On Our Side

Issues of Justice: Billie Holiday, Strange Fruit, Marvin Gaye, What's Going On?, Bruce Springsteen, The Ghost of Tom Joad, Bob Dylan, The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll

 

For a current organization bringing musicians world-wide together to affect change (music is a universal language):

Playing for Change - Browse the web site. (index of episodes/music videos)

"Stand By Me"

 

For other "collaborative" songs, see:

Playing for Change - One Love

Playing for Change - Gimme Shelter

Playing for Change - Imagine

Playing For Change - What's Going On

Playing For Change - Lean on Me

Playing For Change - Everyday People

Highly Recommended:

Soundtrack for a Revolution, American Experience - full movie, 83 minutes
"The story of the American civil rights movement is told through its powerful music -- the freedom songs that protesters sang on picket lines, in mass meetings, in police wagons, and in jail cells as they fought for justice and equality. A unique mix of historical documentary and contemporary musical performance, the film features new performances by top artists including John Legend, Joss Stone, Wyclef Jean, and The Roots; riveting archival footage; and interviews with civil rights foot soldiers and leaders, including Congressman John Lewis, Harry Belafonte, Julian Bond, Andrew Young and dozens more."