Interdisciplinary Examination of a Social Problem

Social Issues to Examine:

Gender Inequality (#MeToo Movement, Gendered pay inequality, LGBTQ Movement)
Racial Inequality (Racial Profiling, Black Lives Matter Movement)
Income Disparity in the U.S. (Low Wages and Minimum Wage, Working Poor, Homelessness, Unemployment)
Substance Abuse (Opioid and Heroin Crisis, Medical-Industrial Complex, Youth Binge Drinking)
Healthcare (Childhood Obesity, Accessibility to Healthcare, Medicaid, Medical bills, Healthcare for Veterans, Mental Illness, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010)
Deviance (Decriminalization and Legalization of Drugs, Mass Incarceration, Hate Crimes, Death Penalty, White Collar Crime)
Environmental Issues and Sustainability (Climate Change, Air Pollution, Water Policy)
Political Extremism (The Rise in Nationalism, Misinformation and Disinformation, Extremism in geopolitics, Conspiracy Theory)
Global Issues (Human Trafficking, Child Labor, World Hunger, Globalization, Fair Trade, migration, refugees, immigration)
Education (Gender Inequality in Schools, Bullying, Dropout Rates, School Funding, Learning disabilities) 
Social Science Disciplines to Examine

Sociology
Anthropology
Psychology
History
Economics
Political Science

Your assignment should include the following:

A brief discussion of your social issue, and how it rises to the level of social concern.
A brief discussion of each of the social science disciplines you have selected to gain insight on this social issue. Discuss the main goals of these disciplines as discussed in Part II of your textbook.
Using the sources selected in week 3, analyze how your selected social science disciplines have examined your selected social issue.
In your examination, identify if the authors used qualitative or quantitative methodologies and why they selected these methods.
Discuss one similarity and at least two key differences in the approaches or conclusions of these studies and relate these to the disciplines involved.
Explain, based upon your research, how using research from two social science disciplines can lead to a more complete understanding of social issues than only using research from a single discipline. In other words, how do the approaches and conclusions of your sources contribute to an interdisciplinary understanding of the topic? How is this a more complete understanding than a set of conclusions from sources only in one discipline?
Finally, explain how this interdisciplinary understanding might be applied within a social context in order to attempt to address this social issue.

Full Answer Section

     

Examining Social Science Research:

Source 1: "The Rising Cost of Inequality" by Robert D. Putnam and Laura Oliver (Sociology) - This qualitative study uses interviews and social surveys to examine how income inequality affects social trust and civic engagement.

Source 2: "Inequality and Economic Growth" by Alan S. Blinder (Economics) - This quantitative study analyzes economic data to explore the relationship between income inequality and economic growth.

Methodology:

  • Source 1 (Sociology): Qualitative - Allows researchers to gain in-depth understanding of lived experiences and social dynamics related to income disparity.
  • Source 2 (Economics): Quantitative - Enables researchers to identify trends and causal relationships by analyzing large datasets on income and economic factors.

Similarities and Differences:

Similarity: Both studies acknowledge the existence of income disparity and its negative consequences.

Differences in Approach:

  1. Focus: Sociology focuses on social impact (trust, civic engagement), while Economics focuses on economic impact (growth).
  2. Data: Sociology uses qualitative data (interviews), while Economics uses quantitative data (economic statistics).

Differences in Conclusions:

  • Source 1: Income inequality weakens social bonds and civic participation.
  • Source 2: High income inequality can hinder economic growth.

Interdisciplinary Understanding:

By combining these disciplines, we gain a more holistic understanding of income disparity. Sociology highlights the human cost and social breakdown, while Economics provides insights into the economic mechanisms at play. This understanding is crucial for designing effective solutions.

Social Context Application:

An interdisciplinary approach can inform policy decisions:

  • Social Programs: Sociological research can aid in designing programs that address social isolation and build community within low-income communities.
  • Taxation and Public Investment: Economic models can help evaluate the impact of tax policies on income distribution and public investment in education and infrastructure to promote economic mobility.
  • Addressing Psychological Effects: Understanding the psychological impact of poverty (e.g., stress, depression) can inform programs to support mental health and well-being in disadvantaged communities.

By integrating knowledge from various social science disciplines, we can develop more comprehensive solutions to tackle income disparity and create a fairer and more just society.

 

Sample Answer

     

Income disparity in the US has become a major social concern. The gap between the rich and the poor continues to widen, leading to issues like poverty, homelessness, and stagnant social mobility. This not only impacts the well-being of individuals and families but also has a ripple effect on society as a whole.

Social Science Disciplines for Examination:

  1. Sociology: Examines social structures, institutions, and inequalities within societies. (Textbook Goal: Understand social order, social change, and social problems)
  2. Economics: Studies how societies allocate resources, production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. (Textbook Goal: Understand how economies function and the factors that influence them)
  3. Psychology: Explores human behavior, cognition, and emotions. (Textbook Goal: Understand human thoughts, feelings, and actions)