SOC102 Current Social
Problems 2013
Note: You will not know in advance which questions will be selected for the exam
so it is advisable to prepare for each question.
Remember the exam will be closed-notes and closed-book. Your answers
should reflect the breadth of information presented in the class
and must incorporate specific material
from the course readings whenever appropriate.
Please bring a blank blue book to the exam.
One of the essay questions below will appear on your exam, plus there will be a
short answer, fill-in-the-blank, multiple-choice, true/false section based
primarily on key terms from the text and your notes.
1. Use the documentary
Demon Rum to show how the moral
entrepreneur framework can be used to make sense of how an issue comes to be
seen as a social problem. Be sure to
at least:
a) Identify the various
stakeholders and their motives
b) Discuss the tactics used
to sell the idea of prohibition
c) Examine the unintended
consequences of prohibition
d) Compare the selling of
prohibition to another social problem
2. Discuss “The New
Slavery.” Be sure to address at
least issues such as:
a) The extent of slavery
worldwide
b) Causes of slavery
c) Trafficking
3. Evaluate the statement by
Robert Hutchins (1976:4): “Domestic policy is conducted according to one
infallible rule: the costs and burdens of whatever is done must be borne by
those least able to bear them.”
Good Luck