Summarize your views on how a specific contemporary social problem is having an impact on your workplace or on workplaces known to you. Identify the problem, and describe what you see as the causes, impacts, and possible solutions to the problem. What kind of initiatives can an employer promote to prevent or solve this problem?
Week 1 Discussion 2
In what ways do group norms affect patterns of alcohol and drug use? How does the use of these substances affect the workplace and employment patterns?
Compare and contrast the roles the prison system, the family, and the social stratification system play in either contributing to or alleviating the problem of crime.
How do social institutions contribute to the problem of poverty? How do attitudes and ideologies help perpetuate poverty?
Identify the attitudes, values, and ideologies that tend to perpetuate gender inequality. How have these factors affect the workplace? What do you think is the best solution to ending gender inequality in the United States? Why?
What social structural factors contribute to the problems of government and politics? In what ways do these problems affect Americans' quality of life? What effect does these problems with the government and politics have on the workplace? What are some of the important steps to be taken in order to deal with the problems of government and politics?
How does the political-economic system affect the problems related to the American economy and work? Discuss the contradiction between the ideology and the reality of work in America. How does the status of the economy affect the quality of life in the workplace? Do you agree or disagree with the following quote, "Some critics say that Americans expect too much from their work. They not only want good pay, they want their jobs to be fulfilling." Why or why not?
Briefly summarize the three functions of education according to your textbook, Social Problems and the Quality of Life. Can you relate to any of these functions for obtaining education? Identify a specific educational issue that you think is affecting work environments the most. Can this problem be avoided or resolved in the workplace? If you were an employer, how would you overcome this issue?
In what ways can employers promote healthy living amongst their employees or apply preventive strategies to alleviate health care issues in the workplace? Is it in the best interest of the employer to concern themselves with the health and well being of their employees? From an employee's standpoint are health initiatives by employers helpful or a hindrance?
Take a moment to critically reflect on what you have learned during this course. Review the learning outcomes and your initial post your introduction discussion from week one and answer the following questions: Were your questions answered? How has your perspective of social issues and the workplace changed in the past five weeks? Did anything surprise you? What new opinions have your formed? How will this experience affect the way you deal with social issues in the workplace? How do you plan to apply the knowledge you have learned in future courses, your personal life and professional career? Do you have any questions or concepts that you are unclear about?