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Joel Best's Social Problems: Deconstructing the Myths and Understanding the Reality
Introduction:
The study of social problems is a complex field, often clouded by emotional rhetoric and biased perspectives. Joel Best, a prominent sociologist, has dedicated his career to dissecting the construction and framing of social problems, offering a crucial lens through which we can understand how issues are defined, debated, and ultimately addressed. This blog post delves into Joel Best's key contributions to the field, exploring his methods, criticisms, and the lasting impact his work has had on understanding the social construction of reality. We will unpack his insights, examining how he challenges common assumptions and illuminates the often-hidden processes that shape our perceptions of social issues. Ultimately, understanding Best's work is crucial for navigating the complexities of social problems in a more informed and critical way.
H2: The Social Construction of Social Problems: A Best Perspective
Joel Best's most significant contribution lies in his meticulous analysis of the social construction of social problems. He doesn't deny the existence of real issues, but rather emphasizes how those issues are defined, measured, and presented to the public. His work highlights the role of claims-makers – individuals and groups who actively try to persuade others that a particular condition is a social problem worthy of attention and action. These claims-makers, whether activists, politicians, or media outlets, employ various rhetorical strategies to shape public opinion and influence policy.
H3: Claims-Making and the Construction of "Facts"
Best meticulously dissects the process of claims-making, showing how seemingly objective "facts" are often products of selective data gathering, strategic framing, and persuasive rhetoric. He argues that the "facts" presented surrounding a social problem often reflect the interests and perspectives of the claims-makers rather than an unbiased representation of reality. This isn't to say that facts are irrelevant, but rather that their selection and presentation are crucial aspects of how a problem is defined.
H3: The Role of Statistics and Data in Shaping Perceptions
Best's work pays particular attention to the manipulation and misinterpretation of statistics. He reveals how numbers can be selectively chosen, contextually distorted, or outright fabricated to support a particular claim. He warns against accepting statistics at face value, emphasizing the importance of critical evaluation of data sources, methodology, and the potential biases embedded within the presentation of findings. This critical approach is essential for separating genuine concerns from inflated or misleading representations.
H2: Challenges to Traditional Approaches: Best's Critique
Best's work challenges traditional approaches to studying social problems, which often rely on uncritically accepting the dominant narratives surrounding an issue. He argues for a more nuanced understanding, recognizing the influence of power dynamics, social structures, and cultural values in shaping our perceptions. His critique emphasizes the need to move beyond simplistic explanations and consider the complexities involved in defining and addressing social problems.
H3: Debunking Myths and Misconceptions
A significant part of Best's contributions lies in his debunking of widely held myths and misconceptions surrounding various social problems. He often uses case studies to illustrate how inaccurate or exaggerated information can circulate unchecked, contributing to a distorted understanding of the issue at hand. This exposes the dangers of accepting claims uncritically, highlighting the need for rigorous fact-checking and critical analysis.
H3: The Importance of Context and Historical Analysis
Best emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical and social context within which social problems are defined. He argues that the definition and framing of a problem can change drastically over time, influenced by evolving social norms, political climates, and technological advancements. Ignoring this historical dimension can lead to a superficial and ultimately misleading analysis of the issue.
H2: The Lasting Impact of Joel Best's Work
Joel Best's work has had a profound and lasting impact on the field of sociology and the broader study of social problems. His emphasis on critical thinking, rigorous methodology, and the deconstruction of claims has transformed how researchers approach the subject matter. His insightful analyses have provided invaluable tools for understanding how social problems are constructed and have empowered individuals to critically evaluate information and engage in more informed discussions about important social issues.
Conclusion:
Understanding Joel Best’s contributions to the study of social problems is crucial for anyone seeking a more nuanced and critical perspective on the issues facing our society. By dissecting the claims-making process, exposing the manipulation of data, and emphasizing the role of context, Best offers a powerful framework for navigating the complexities of social realities. His work encourages us to question assumptions, demand evidence, and engage in informed and critical discourse, ultimately leading to a more accurate and effective approach to tackling social challenges.
FAQs:
1. What is the core argument of Joel Best's work on social problems? Best's core argument is that social problems are not simply objective realities, but rather are socially constructed through the actions of claims-makers who use various strategies to define, measure, and frame them.
2. How does Best's work differ from traditional approaches to studying social problems? Traditional approaches often accept dominant narratives at face value. Best emphasizes critical analysis, examining the claims-making process, and exposing potential biases in data and rhetoric.
3. Why is it important to critically evaluate statistics related to social problems? Statistics are often manipulated or misinterpreted to support specific claims. Critical evaluation is crucial to identify potential biases and ensure accurate understanding.
4. What are some examples of social problems where Best's approach would be particularly relevant? Best's approach is relevant to almost any social problem, but particularly those surrounded by intense debate and conflicting claims, like drug addiction, crime, or immigration.
5. How can we apply Best's insights in our daily lives? By adopting a critical perspective, questioning information sources, and seeking diverse viewpoints, we can improve our understanding of complex social issues and make more informed decisions.
| joel best social problems: Social Problems Joel Best, 2013 A complete set of tools for analyzing any social problem. |
| joel best social problems: Social Problems Joel Best, 2017 A complete set of tools for analyzing any social problem. |
| joel best social problems: Social Problems in the Age of COVID-19 Vol 1 Muschert, Glenn W., Budd, Kristen M., 2020-08-24 Written by a highly respected team of authors brought together by the Society for the Study of Social Problems (SSSP), this book provides accessible insights into pressing social problems in the United States in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and proposes public policy responses for victims and justice, precarious populations, employment dilemmas and health and well-being. |
| joel best social problems: Making Sense of Social Problems Joel Best, Scott R. Harris, 2012 Internet addiction. Cell-phone-distracted drivers. Teen suicide. Economic recession. The health risks of trans fats. The carefully selected collection of case studies in Making Sense of Social Problems is designed to help students understand and critically evaluate a wide range of contemporary social issues. |
| joel best social problems: How Claims Spread Joel Best, Best's anthology examines for the first time how diverse social issues--road rage, the metric system, gun control, and abortion are among those included--migrate across national boundaries, modifying themselves from place to place as a result of different claims, claimsmakers, and policy responses. This unique collection, assembled from new research by an international group of social problems scholars, will fill a gap in undergraduate and graduate level studies in the constructionist analyses of social problems, as well as in political science, public policy, and criminology. Claims concerning one social problem often influence those about another: claimsmakers borrow rhetoric and tactics from one another. In some cases, experienced claimsmakers join efforts to call attention to other social problems: compelling images (e.g., the threatened child or random violence) link claims about different problems and reactions to one set of claims. These case studies describe very different processes, ranging from deliberate attempts to disseminate social problem claims to developments that were more inadvertent, from successes in which social problem constructions spread to new countries to failures in which claims were sown, but failed to take root. They are intended to suggest that the diffusion of social problems is neither simple nor automatic. Joel Best is professor and chair, Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice, University of Delaware. He has served as an editorial advisor for Aldine that has produced fifty titles. |
| joel best social problems: American Nightmares Joel Best, 2018-01-23 Popular hazards or, how we insist similar social problems are different -- American nightmares or, why sociologists hate the American dream / written with David Schweingruber -- Evaluating predictions or, how to compare the Maya calendar, Social Security, and climate change -- Future talk or, how slippery slopes shape concern -- Memories as problems or, how to reconsider Confederate flags and other symbols of the past /written with Lawrence T. Nichols -- Economicization or, why economists get more respect than sociologists -- Afterword : the future of American nightmares |
| joel best social problems: Damned Lies and Statistics Joel Best, 2012-08-07 Here, by popular demand, is the updated edition to Joel Best's classic guide to understanding how numbers can confuse us. In his new afterword, Best uses examples from recent policy debates to reflect on the challenges to improving statistical literacy. Since its publication ten years ago, Damned Lies and Statistics has emerged as the go-to handbook for spotting bad statistics and learning to think critically about these influential numbers. |
| joel best social problems: Threatened Children Joel Best, 1993-05 Child abuse, incest, child molestation, Halloween sadism, child pornography: although clearly not new problems, they have attracted more attention than ever before. Threatened Children asks why. Joel Best analyzes the rhetorical tools used by child advocates when making claims aimed at raising public anxiety and examines the media's role in transmitting reformers' claims and the public's response to the frightening statistics, compelling examples, and expanding definitions it confronts. Drawing on a wide range of sources, from criminal justice records to news stories, from urban legends to public opinion surveys, Best reveals how the cultural construction of social problems evolves. |
| joel best social problems: Troubling Children Joel Best, Increasingly, sociologists have turned their attention to the social problems of childrenâ in particular, of younger children. This collection reflects those recent interest. While most researchers have focused on social problems involving adolescents, this volume offers instead original case studies of problems concerning preadolescent children. The papers that Best has gathered here represent different theoretical and methodological approaches. They report on social issues in Albania, Kenya, and Japan as well as in the United States. The range of social problems they address is a wide one, from broad societal crises to decision-making within families. Topics include the effects of economic and social crises in Africa and Eastern Europe; concerns about crack use and other forms of fetal endangerment; parental decisions about spanking, toy choices, and letting children listen to rock music; schooling in day care and elementary and junior high schools; and children's perceptions of environmental crises. Troubling Children adds a new dimension to courses in social problems. It also offers a different set of perspectives for those concerned with sociology of preadolescent children and their discontents. |
| joel best social problems: More Damned Lies and Statistics Joel Best, 2004-09-06 In this sequel to the acclaimed Damned Lies and Statistics, which the Boston Globe said deserves a place next to the dictionary on every school, media, and home-office desk, Joel Best continues his straightforward, lively, and humorous account of how statistics are produced, used, and misused by everyone from researchers to journalists. Underlining the importance of critical thinking in all matters numerical, Best illustrates his points with examples of good and bad statistics about such contemporary concerns as school shootings, fatal hospital errors, bullying, teen suicides, deaths at the World Trade Center, college ratings, the risks of divorce, racial profiling, and fatalities caused by falling coconuts. More Damned Lies and Statistics encourages all of us to think in a more sophisticated and skeptical manner about how statistics are used to promote causes, create fear, and advance particular points of view. Best identifies different sorts of numbers that shape how we think about public issues: missing numbers are relevant but overlooked; confusing numbers bewilder when they should inform; scary numbers play to our fears about the present and the future; authoritative numbers demand respect they don’t deserve; magical numbers promise unrealistic, simple solutions to complex problems; and contentious numbers become the focus of data duels and stat wars. The author's use of pertinent, socially important examples documents the life-altering consequences of understanding or misunderstanding statistical information. He demystifies statistical measures by explaining in straightforward prose how decisions are made about what to count and what not to count, what assumptions get made, and which figures are brought to our attention. Best identifies different sorts of numbers that shape how we think about public issues. Entertaining, enlightening, and very timely, this book offers a basis for critical thinking about the numbers we encounter and a reminder that when it comes to the news, people count—in more ways than one. |
| joel best social problems: Random Violence Joel Best, 1999-03-02 A major contribution to the literature on social problems, crime, and social deviance, and a fine example of what is currently the best-established theoretical approach to this material. It is laudably interdisciplinary, draws admirably from 'high' and 'low' culture, and over all asks some very challenging questions.—Philip Jenkins, Pennsylvania State University Random Violence extends the growing scholarly literature on the social construction of social problems by showing us how currently trendy folk knowledge obscures the most perplexing problems in American society and how it serves to foster a climate of social distrust.—Donileen Loeske, University of South Florida |
| joel best social problems: Reconsidering Social Constructionism Gale Miller, 2017-09-29 With the impact of social interactionist and ethnographic methodology twenty-five years ago, the research agenda in social problems began to shift its focus, giving rise to the Social Constructionism movement. The present volume and the related shorter text, Constructionist Controversies, review the substantial contributions made by social constructionist theorists over that period, as well as recent debates about the future of the perspective. These contributions redefine the purpose and central questions of social problems theory and articulate a research program for analyzing social problems as social constructions. A generation of theorists has been trained in the constructionist perspective and has extended it through numerous analyses of diverse aspects of contemporary social life.The debates in this volume pose fundamental questions about the major assumptions of the perspective, the ways in which it is practiced, and the purposes of social problems theory. Their point of departure is Ibarra and Kitsuse's essay, cutting new theoretical ground in calling for investigating vernacular resources, especially rhetorical forms, in the social problems process.Contributors are forceful proponents both within and outside of the social constructionist community, who take a broad array of positions on the current state of social problems theory and on the rhetorical forms that need exploring. They also lay down the general lines for diverse and often competing programs for the future development of the constructionist agenda. |
| joel best social problems: Constructing Social Problems Malcolm Spector, John I. Kitsuse, 2017-07-05 There is no adequate definition of social problems within sociology, and there is not and never has been a sociology of social problems. That observation is the point of departure of this book. The authors aim to provide such a definition and to prepare the ground for the empirical study of social problems. They are aware that their objective will strike many fellow sociologists as ambitious, perhaps even arrogant. Their work challenges sociologists who have, over a period of fifty years, written treatises on social problems, produced textbooks cataloguing the nature, distribution, and causes of these problems, and taught many sociology courses. It is only natural that the authors' work will be viewed as controversial in light of the large literature which has established a sociology of a wide range of social problems-the sociology of race relations, prostitution, poverty, crime, mental illness, and so forth. In the 1970s when the authors were preparing for a seminar on the sociology of social problems, their review of the literature revealed the absence of any systematic, coherent statement of theory or method in the study of social problems. For many years the subject was listed and offered by university departments of sociology as a service course to present undergraduates with what they should know about the various social pathologies that exist in their society. This conception of social problems for several decades has been reflected in the substance and quality of the literature dominated by textbooks. In 'Constructing Social Problems', the authors propose that social problems be conceived as the claims-making activities of individuals or groups regarding social conditions they consider unjust, immoral, or harmful and that should be addressed. This perspective, as the authors have formulated it, conceives of social problems as a process of interaction that produces social problems as social facts in society. The authors further propose that this process and the social facts it produces are the data to be researched for the sociology of social problems. This volume will be of interest to those concerned with the discipline of sociology, especially its current theoretical development and growth. |
| joel best social problems: Is That True? Joel Best, 2021-02-16 Across disciplines, critical thinking is praised, taught, and put into practice. But what does it actually mean to think critically? In this brief volume, sociologist Joel Best examines how to evaluate arguments and the evidence used to support them as he hones in on how to think in the field of sociology and beyond. With inimitable style that melds ethnographic verve with dry humor, Best examines the ways in which sociologists engage in fuzzy thinking through bias, faddish cultural waves, spurious reasoning, and implicit bias. The short chapters cover: A general introduction to critical thinking and logic in the social sciences Sociology as an enterprise Key issues in thinking critically about sociological research Challenging questions that confront sociologists and a call for the discipline to meet those challenges. Students across disciplines will learn the building blocks of critical thinking in a sociological context and come away with key concepts to put into practice. |
| joel best social problems: Social Problems Donileen Loseke, 2017-07-05 This collection of focused essays is directed at several levels of students of social problems. It is accessible to the uninitiated, who are not familiar with the constructionist literature, and aimed at those who are not particularly interested in subtle theoretical and empirical issues of concern to academics studying social problems from constructionist perspectives. Some readings focus on the construction of problems by scientists and other professionals; others examine the work of social activists, mass media, and social service personnel. Among the topics included are studies of social inequalities and individual deviance; a comparison of the images of social problems in the United States with those in other countries; and an examination of the importance of politics and power in constructing public images of social problems.Constructionist perspectives have become the leading theoretical approach for sociology and allied fields in studying social problems. Yet constructionists' impact on the teaching of social problems has been far less dramatic. Undergraduate courses on social problems are often subject to a theoretical barrage of eclectic perspectives. Just as the first social problems textbooks did almost a century ago, textbooks continue to present a series of unrelated chapters, each devoted to a particular social problem. Social Problems is an effort at systematic analysis rather than random thought on the subject.Social Problems presents detailed case studies demonstrating how constructionist perspectives can actually be applied to understand particular social problems. While these articles can be read alone, the editors have organized these selections to correspond with the chapter topics in the second edition of Donileen Loseke's Thinking about Social Problems, an accessible introduction to constructionist approaches. At the same time, some instructors who use this edited collection might wish to provide th |
| joel best social problems: Social Problems Joel M. Charon, Lee Garth Vigilant, 2005-05 A unique and groundbreaking collection of 54 articles organized in 11 thematic sections, SOCIAL PROBLEMS: READINGS WITH FOUR QUESTIONS 2e takes a structural/conflict approach yet lets the voices of those impacted by social problems be heard. The articles are a mix of classic and contemporary readings, covering a wide range of issues in the United States and the world. The introductory article, written by Joel Charon, focuses on four questions that students are urged to apply throughout the reader: What is the problem? What makes the problem a social problem? What causes the problem? What can be done? This four questions approach gives students a consistent sociological framework within which to analyze social problems. The articles have been painstakingly selected to hold student interest, highlight contemporary social problems, and help professors show students how to think sociologically about the social problems around us. |
| joel best social problems: The Student Loan Mess Joel Best, Eric Best, 2014-05-02 Student loan debt in the U.S. now exceeds $1 trillion, more than the nation's credit-card debt. This timely book explains how and why student loans evolved, the concerns they've raised along the way, and how each policy designed to fix student loans winds up making things worse. The authors, a father and son team, provide an intergenerational, interdisciplinary approach to understanding how, over the last 70 years, Americans incrementally, with the best intentions, created our current student loan disaster. They examine the competing interests and shifting societal expectations that contributed to the problem, and offer recommendations for confronting the larger problem of college costs and student borrowing in the future-- |
| joel best social problems: Constructionist Controversies Gale Miller, 2017-07-05 Constructionist Controversies reviews the substantial contributions to social problems theory that have been made by social constructionist theorists and examines debates about the future of this perspective. Intended for the student, the volume provides a succinct formulation of all the major issues of social constructionism by contributors who are well recognized within the field for the strength with which they articulate their own widely varied viewpoints. |
| joel best social problems: How Can We Solve Our Social Problems? James A. Crone, 2010-05-13 Updated with recent issues such as the national debate on health care reform, this Second Edition of How Can We Solve Our Social Problems? gives students a sense of hope by demonstrating specific, realistic steps we can take to solve some of the most pervasive social problems in America today. Author James Crone maintains a sense of sociological objectivity throughout and helps students realize that we can take steps to solve such key social problems as poverty, racial and ethnic inequality, unequal education, and environmental issues. The book's first two chapters define social problem,, provide a theoretical background, discuss the daunting barriers we face in attempting to solve social problems, and demonstrate how sociology can help. |
| joel best social problems: Religion and Social Problems Titus Hjelm, 2011-01-21 Although students and scholars of social problems have often acknowledged the role of religion, no thorough examinations of the relation between the two have emerged. This book fills this gap by providing a definitive work on the impact of religion on social problems, religion as a solution to social problems, and religion as a social problem in itself. |
| joel best social problems: Stat-Spotting Joel Best, 2013-09-14 This edition updates benchmarks, includes a new chapter on rhetoric, updated a few examples, and thoroughly updated the bibliography. |
| joel best social problems: Social Problems in Popular Culture Maratea, R. J., Monahan, Brian, 2016-09-28 Popular culture is more than just a broad term for entertainment and frivolous diversions; it is also highly relevant to our understanding of society. This exciting book is the first to offer insights into the important, but often overlooked, relationship between popular culture and social problems. Drawing on historical and topical examples, the authors apply an innovative theoretical framework to examine how facets of popular culture from movies and music to toys, games, billboards, bumper stickers, and bracelets shape how we think about, and respond to, social issues, such as problems of gender, sexuality, and race. Including student features, evocative case studies, and access to online material, this book will help students explore and understand the essential connection between popular culture and social problems. Deftly combining the fun and irreverence of popular culture with critical scholarly inquiry, this timely book delivers an engaging account of how our interactions with and consumption of popular culture matter far more than we may think. |
| joel best social problems: Your Best Life Now Joel Osteen, 2007-09-03 In this remarkable New York Times bestseller, Joel Osteen offers unique insights and encouragement that will help readers overcome every obstacle in their lives. |
| joel best social problems: What Kind of Citizen? Joel Westheimer, 2024 What kind of citizen is no ordinary education book. By drawing on accessible and engaging discussions around the goals of schooling, it is imminently readable by a broad public. Neither fluff nor polemic, the theory and practice described in the book are based in solid empirical research and come out of the most influential frameworks for citizenship and democratic education of the last several decades (the Three Kinds of Citizens framework that emerged from collaboration between the author and Dr. Joseph Kahne as well as consultations with thousands of school teachers and civic leaders.) - This framework has been used in 67 countries to help teachers and school reformers think about how to structure educational programs and how schools can strengthen democratic societies. - This book pulls together a decade of research on schools into one place giving the reader a comprehensive look at why schools should be at the forefront of public engagement and how we can make that happen-- |
| joel best social problems: Everyone's a Winner Joel Best, 2011-03-07 Looks at the increasing abundance of status in our society and considers its effects, including the tendency to split into ever more specific groups to enhance status. |
| joel best social problems: Social Problems William Earle Cole, Charles H. Miller, 1965 |
| joel best social problems: The Sociology of Social Problems Adam Jamrozik, Luisa Nocella, 1998-07-13 Social problems such as unemployment, poverty and drug addiction are a fact of life in industrialised societies. This book examines the sociology of social problems from interesting and challenging perspectives. It analyses how social problems emerge and are defined as such, who takes responsibility for them, who is threatened by them and how they are managed, solved or ignored. The authors examine and critique existing theories of social problems before developing their own theoretical framework. Their 'theory of residualist conversion of social problems' explains how certain social problems threaten legitimate power structures, so that problems of a social or political nature are transformed into personal problems, and the 'helping professions' are left to intervene. This book will become a key reference on class, inequality and social intervention and an important text for students in sociology and social work courses. |
| joel best social problems: Troubling Children Joel Best, 1994-01-01 Increasingly, sociologists have turned their attention to the social problems of children- in particular, of younger children. This collection reflects those recent interest. While most researchers have focused on social problems involving adolescents, this volume offers instead original case studies of problems concerning preadolescent children. The papers that Best has gathered here represent different theoretical and methodological approaches. They report on social issues in Albania, Kenya, and Japan as well as in the United States. The range of social problems they address is a wide one, from broad societal crises to decision-making within families. Topics include the effects of economic and social crises in Africa and Eastern Europe; concerns about crack use and other forms of fetal endangerment; parental decisions about spanking, toy choices, and letting children listen to rock music; schooling in day care and elementary and junior high schools; and children's perceptions of environmental crises. Troubling Children adds a new dimension to courses in social problems. It also offers a different set of perspectives for those concerned with sociology of preadolescent children and their discontents. |
| joel best social problems: The Social Construction of Crime: Oxford Bibliographies Online Research Guide Richard Rosenfeld, 2010-05 This ebook is a selective guide designed to help scholars and students of criminology find reliable sources of information by directing them to the best available scholarly materials in whatever form or format they appear from books, chapters, and journal articles to online archives, electronic data sets, and blogs. Written by a leading international authority on the subject, the ebook provides bibliographic information supported by direct recommendations about which sources to consult and editorial commentary to make it clear how the cited sources are interrelated related. A reader will discover, for instance, the most reliable introductions and overviews to the topic, and the most important publications on various areas of scholarly interest within this topic. In criminology, as in other disciplines, researchers at all levels are drowning in potentially useful scholarly information, and this guide has been created as a tool for cutting through that material to find the exact source you need. This ebook is a static version of an article from Oxford Bibliographies Online: Criminology, a dynamic, continuously updated, online resource designed to provide authoritative guidance through scholarship and other materials relevant to the study and practice of criminology. Oxford Bibliographies Online covers most subject disciplines within the social science and humanities, for more information visit www.aboutobo.com. |
| joel best social problems: The Routledge Companion to Criminological Theory and Concepts Avi Brisman, Eamonn Carrabine, Nigel South, 2018-07-03 A comprehensive one-stop reference text, The Routledge Companion to Criminological Theory and Concepts (the ‘Companion’) will find a place on every bookshelf, whether it be that of a budding scholar or a seasoned academic. Comprising over a hundred concise and authoritative essays written by leading scholars in the field, this volume explains in a clear and inviting way the emergence, context, evolution and current status of key criminological theories and conceptual themes. The Companion is divided into six historical and thematic parts, each introduced by the editors and containing a selection of accessible and engaging short essays written specifically for this text: Foundations of criminological thought and contemporary revitalizations The emergence and growth of American criminology From appreciation to critique Late critical criminologies and new directions Punishment and security Geographies of crime Comprehensive cross-referencing between entries will provide the reader with signposts to later developments, to critiques and to associated theoretical developments explored within the book, and lists of further reading in every entry will encourage independent thinking and study. This book is an essential reference work for criminology students at all levels and is the perfect companion for courses on criminological theory. |
| joel best social problems: Constructing Crisis Bert Spector, 2019-09-05 Crises aren't real objective events. Instead, Spector demonstrates they are claims of urgency imposed by leaders to assert power and exert control. |
| joel best social problems: A Little Life Hanya Yanagihara, 2016-01-26 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A stunning “portrait of the enduring grace of friendship” (NPR) about the families we are born into, and those that we make for ourselves. A masterful depiction of love in the twenty-first century. NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST • MAN BOOKER PRIZE FINALIST • WINNER OF THE KIRKUS PRIZE A Little Life follows four college classmates—broke, adrift, and buoyed only by their friendship and ambition—as they move to New York in search of fame and fortune. While their relationships, which are tinged by addiction, success, and pride, deepen over the decades, the men are held together by their devotion to the brilliant, enigmatic Jude, a man scarred by an unspeakable childhood trauma. A hymn to brotherly bonds and a masterful depiction of love in the twenty-first century, Hanya Yanagihara’s stunning novel is about the families we are born into, and those that we make for ourselves. Look for Hanya Yanagihara’s latest bestselling novel, To Paradise. |
| joel best social problems: Handbook on Teaching Social Issues Ronald W. Evans, 2021-05-01 The Handbook on Teaching Social Issues, 2nd edition, provides teachers and teacher educators with a comprehensive guide to teaching social issues in the classroom. This second edition re-frames the teaching of social issues with a dedicated emphasis on issues of social justice. It raises the potential for a new and stronger focus on social issues instruction in schools. Contributors include many of the leading experts in the field of social studies education. Issues-centered social studies is an approach to teaching history, government, geography, economics and other subject related courses through a focus on persistent social issues. The emphasis is on problematic questions that need to be addressed and investigated in-depth to increase social understanding, active participation, and social progress. Questions or issues may address problems of the past, present, or future, and involve disagreement over facts, definitions, values, and beliefs arising in the study of any of the social studies disciplines, or other aspects of human affairs. The authors and editor believe that this approach should be at the heart of social studies instruction in schools. ENDORSEMENTS At a time when even the world’s most stable democracies are backsliding towards autocratic rule, Ronald Evans has pulled together an essential guide for teachers who want to do something about it. The 2nd edition of the Handbook on Teaching Social Issues is a brilliant and timely collection that should be the constant companion for teachers across the disciplines. Joel Westheimer University Research Chair in Democracy and Education University of Ottawa The Handbook on Teaching Social Issues (2nd edition) is a fantastic resource for teachers, teacher educators, and professional development specialists who are interested in ensuring that social issues are at the center of the curriculum. The chapters are focused on the most important contemporary thinking about what social issues are, why they are so important for young people to learn about, and what research indicates are the most effective pedagogical approaches. The wide-ranging theoretical and practical expertise of the editor and all of the chapter authors account for why this handbook makes such an exceptional contribution to our understanding of how and why the social issues approach is so important and stimulating. Diana Hess Dean, UW-Madison School of Education Karen A. Falk Distinguished Chair of Education Democracy, both as a form of governance and a reservoir of principles and practices, faces an existential threat. The Handbook on Teaching Social Issues is a perfectly-timed and wonderfully engaging exploration of what lies at the heart of social studies curriculum: social inquiry for democratic life. The authors provide conceptual frames, classroom strategies and deep insights about the complex and utterly crucial work of education for democratic citizenship. Education like that conceptualized and described in this volume is a curative so needed at this critical moment. Ron Evans and his colleagues have delivered, assembling an outstanding set of contributions to the field. The Handbook underscores John Dewey's now-haunting invocation that democracy must be renewed with each generation and an education worthy of its name is the handmaiden of democratic rebirth. William Gaudelli Dean and Professor Lehigh University This volume is so timely and relevant for democratic education. Instead of retreating to separate ideological corners, the authors in this handbook invite us to engage in deliberative discourse that requires civic reasoning and often requires us to meet in a place that serves us all. Gloria Ladson-Billings, Professor Emerita Department of Curriculum & Instruction University of Wisconsin President, National Academy of Education Fellow, AERA, AAAS, and Hagler Institute @ Texas A&M At the heart of our divisive political and social climate is the need to understand and provide clarity over polarizing concepts. Historically, confusion and resistance has hindered the nation's growth as a democratic nation. Typically, the most vulnerable in our society has suffered the most from our unwillingness to reconceptualize society. The Handbook on Teaching Social Issues, 2nd edition, is a good step in helping social studies educators, students, and laypersons realize a new society that focuses on equity. With over 30 chapters, Ronald Evans and his colleagues' centered inquiry, critical thinking, controversy, and action to challenge ideologies and connect social studies to student's lives and the real world. The first edition helped me as a young social studies teacher; I am excited to use the 2nd edition with my teacher education students! LaGarrett King Isabella Wade Lyda and Paul Lyda Professor of Education Founding Director, CARTER Center for K-12 Black history education University of Missouri Ronald Evans has curated a collection of informative contributions that will serve as an indispensable resource for social studies educators committed to engaging their students in the thoughtful examination of social issues. The Handbook on Teaching Social Issues, 2nd edition, articulates the historical, definitional, and conceptual foundations of social issues education. It offers clear presentations of general guidelines for unit planning, discussion methods, and assessment. It identifies specific teaching strategies, resources, and sample lessons for investigating a range of persistent and contemporary social issues on the elementary, middle, and secondary levels through the social studies disciplines. Updated with perspectives on education for social justice that have emerged since the first edition, this edition effectively situates social issues education in the contemporary sociopolitical milieu. The Handbook on Teaching Social Issues, is a timely, accessible, and practical guide to involving students in a vital facet of citizenship in a democracy. William G. Wraga, Professor Dean’s Office Mary Frances Early College of Education University of Georgia The Handbook on Teaching Social Issues, 2nd edition is a long-awaited, welcome, and timely volume. It is apparent that the foundational tenets of the first edition have served social studies professionals well over the past 25 years, given the growth of social issues scholarship showcased in this new edition. Notable is the re-framing and presentation here of scholarship through a social justice lens. I appreciate the offering of unique tools on an array of specific, critical topics that fill gaps in our pedagogical content knowledge. This volume will sit right alongside my dog-eared 1996 edition and fortify many methods courses, theses, and dissertations to come. Sincere thanks to the editor and authors for what I am certain will be an enduring, catalyzing contribution. Nancy C. Patterson Professor of Education Social Studies Content Area Coordinator Bowling Green State University The Handbook on Teaching Social Issues is a tool that every informed social studies educator should have in their instructional repertoire. Helping students understand how to investigate and take action against problems is essential to developing a better world. The articles in this handbook provide explanations and reasonings behind issues-centered education as well as strategies to employ at every age level of learning. I look forward to using this edition with the K-12 social studies teachers in my district in order to better prepare our students for future learning and living. Kelli Hutt, Social Studies Curriculum Facilitator Dallas Center-Grimes CSD Grimes, Iowa Ron Evans has chosen an appropriate time to create a companion publication to the first Handbook on Teaching Social Issues published in 1996. During the last few years, social studies teachers have been confronted by student inquiries on a plethora of historical and contemporary issues that implores for the implementation of an interdisciplinary approach to the teaching of anthropology, economics, geography, government, history, sociology, and psychology in order for students to make sense of the world around them and develop their own voices. This demands a student centered focus in the classroom where problematic questions must be addressed and investigated in depth in order to increase social understanding and active participation toward social progress. This volume provides crucial upgrades to the original handbook including a greater emphasis on teaching issues in the elementary grades, the inclusion of issues pertaining to human rights, genocide and sustainability to be addressed in the secondary grades, and addressing issues related to disabilities. Mark Previte, Associate Professor of Secondary Education University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown Chair, NCSS Issues Centered Education Community |
| joel best social problems: Controlling Vice Joel Best, 1998 Joel Best claims that the sort of informal regulation in St. Paul was common in the late nineteenth century and was far more typical than the better known but brief experiment with legalization tried in St. Louis. With few exceptions, the usual approach to these issues of social control has been to treat informal regulation as a form of corruption, but Best's view is that St. Paul's arrangement exposes the assumption that the criminal justice system must seek to eradicate crime. He maintains that other policies are possible. |
| joel best social problems: Thinking About Social Problems Donileen Loseke, 2017-07-05 The new second edition of this distinctive and widely adopted textbook brings into the classroom an overview of how images of social problems can shape not only public policy and social services, but also the ways in which we make sense of ourselves and others. It introduces two primary changes. First, some attention is devoted to the new social movements that emphasize social change through identity transformation rather than through structural change. Second, the text now also looks more closely at the importance of emotions in constructing public consciousness of social problems.When the first edition was published, Teaching Sociology noted, Loseke does a superb job explaining the relationship between sociology and social problems in a text that is very well research and engaging, yet with tremendous attention to detail and accuracy... [W]ould provide a solid base for any social problems class. Contemporary Sociology wrote that the book is engagingly well written in a personal, unpretentious style, and well informed by the author's knowledge of the professional literature. |
| joel best social problems: Change for Good Paul Klein, 2022-03-15 Written by a leader with 35 years experience, Change for Good explores businesses' new bottom line: helping to solve social problems. Featuring personal experiences and practical tools that will help businesses, their employees, and the public to take action and make change. |
| joel best social problems: Seeing Social Problems Ira Silver, 2024-10-14 Within the last four years, the death of George Floyd brought a new level of urgency to understanding police violence; the world experienced two of the three hottest years on record; drug overdose deaths in the U.S. surpassed 100,000 per year for the first time; the foreign-born percentage of the population became the highest ever; and COVID-19 transformed education, work, and public health. Seeing Social Problems: The Hidden Stories Behind Contemporary Issues, Second Edition shows students how to think about social problems in a new way, by exploring the connection between their own experiences and larger social forces. The personal relevance of this book’s content is at the forefront of every discussion. Chapters engage students in thinking about the world sociologically by focusing on case studies that represent broader social problems. In each chapter, learning objectives attune students to important concepts. Two sets of discussion questions— “First Impressions” and “What Do You Know Now?” — encourage students to recognize how the chapter has broadened their perspectives. An exploration of social policy at the end of each chapter shows students that how someone understands an issue influences the ways they go about addressing it. New to the Second Edition: - New chapter, “LGBTQ+ People and Their Critics,” explores different ways of understanding growing diversity in American society based on gender identity and sexual orientation - New chapter, “Education and Upward Mobility,” encourages readers to think more expansively about their schooling experiences, starting when they were very young and continuing through college - New chapter, “Immigration and Border Security,” exposes competing ways of seeing the rising influx of migrants entering the U.S. from Mexico - New chapter, “Health and the Environment,” draws on discussion about familiar topics including Covid-19, obesity, and climate change - New chapter, “Technology and Instant Pleasure” motivates students to recognize the wider societal impacts of their frequent usage of mobile devices to make life more convenient |
| joel best social problems: No BS (Bad Stats) Ivory A. Toldson, 2019-04-09 A Brill | Sense Bestseller! What if everything you thought you knew about Black people generally, and educating Black children specifically, was based on BS (bad stats)? We often hear things like, “Black boys are a dying breed,” “There are more Black men in prison than college,” “Black children fail because single mothers raise them,” and “Black students don’t read.” In No BS, Ivory A. Toldson uses data analysis, anecdotes, and powerful commentary to dispel common myths and challenge conventional beliefs about educating Black children. With provocative, engaging, and at times humorous prose, Toldson teaches educators, parents, advocates, and students how to avoid BS, raise expectations, and create an educational agenda for Black children that is based on good data, thoughtful analysis, and compassion. No BS helps people understand why Black people need people who believe in Black people enough not to believe every bad thing they hear about Black people. |
| joel best social problems: Responding to School Violence Glenn W. Muschert, Stuart Henry, Nicole L. Bracy, Anthony A. Peguero, 2014 Why do so many school antiviolence programs backfire? And why do policymakers keep making the same mistakes? The authors of Responding to School Violence examine the pervasive rise of school security measures since the Columbine shootings, highlighting the unintended consequences of policymaking too often shaped by fear and sensationalism. Probing an array of now ubiquitous tactics and programs¿metal detectors, police patrols, zero tolerance policies, and more¿the authors show how increasingly punitive schoolhouse dynamics negatively affect student safety and even educational experiences. They also share lessons from past mistakes and identify workable, comprehensive approaches for addressing a recurrent social problem. |
| joel best social problems: Smart and Gets Things Done Avram Joel Spolsky, 2007-10-17 A good programmer can outproduce five, ten, and sometimes more run-of-the-mill programmers. The secret to success for any software company then is to hire the good programmers. But how to do that? In Joel on Hiring, Joel Spolsky draws from his experience both at Microsoft and running his own successful software company based in New York City. He writes humorously, but seriously about his methods for sorting resumes, for finding great candidates, and for interviewing, in person and by phone. Joel’s methods are not complex, but they do get to the heart of the matter: how to recognize a great developer when you see one. |
SOCIAL PROBLEMS - JSTOR
MANUSCRIPTS should be sent to: Joel Best, Department of Sociology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901-4524. Manuscripts for SOCIAL PROBLEMS should be …
Joel Best Social Problems (2024) - netsec.csuci.edu
Joel Best, a prominent sociologist, has dedicated his career to dissecting the construction and framing of social problems, offering a crucial lens through which we can understand how …
Constructionist Studies of Social Problems: How We Got Here, …
Joel Best The principal theory of social problems (at least in the United States) is the social constructionist perspective, which defines social problem in terms of a claimsmaking process, …
THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF URBAN LEGENDS* - JSTOR
SOCIAL PROBLEMS, Vol. 32, No. 5, June 1985 THE RAZOR BLADE IN THE APPLE: THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF URBAN LEGENDS* JOEL BEST GERALD T. HORIUCHI …
PEOPLE COUNT: THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF STATISTICS
Joel Best, University of Delaware 322 Smith Hall, Newark, Delaware, 19716-2580, USA . Abstract. Social statistics often play a key role in discussions of social issues. Estimates for …
Social Problems Joel Best - vols.wta.org
understand and critically evaluate a wide range of contemporary social issues. How Claims Spread Joel Best, Best's anthology examines for the first time how diverse social issues--road …
by joel best - SAGE Journals
Social problems do not have single causes, so they are unlikely to have simple solutions. In recent decades, the federal government has used the National Assessment of Educational …
Social Problems Joel Best Joel Best (Download Only) vols.wta
How Claims Spread Joel Best, Best's anthology examines for the first time how diverse social issues--road rage, the metric system, gun control, and abortion are among those included- …
Toward a Sociology of Gloom - JSTOR
SOCIAL PROGRESS AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS: Toward a Sociology of Gloom Joel Best University of Delaware Although significant social progress characterized the twentieth …
Joel Best Social Problems Full PDF
Joel Best,2021-02-16 Across disciplines critical thinking is praised taught and put into practice But what does it actually mean to think critically In this brief volume sociologist Joel Best examines …
Considering What Counts: Claims about Nearly-Ubiquitous …
Thinking critically about claims of nearly-ubiquitous social problems requires: (1) asking how the statistic was produced; (2) considering questions of measurement; and (3) recognizing that the...
Joel Best University of Delaware, U.S.A. - ResearchGate
Joel Best is a Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice at the University of Delaware. His most recent books on constructing social problems are: The Student
Social Problems Joel Best Pdf (book)
authors brought together by the Society for the Study of Social Problems SSSP this book provides accessible insights into pressing social problems in the United States in the aftermath of the …
Joel Best Social Problems - icins.org
How Claims Spread Joel Best, Best's anthology examines for the first time how diverse social issues--road rage, the metric system, gun control, and abortion are among those included- …
Rhetoric in Claims-Making: Constructing the Missing
JOEL BEST, California State University, Fresno Claims-making about social problems is a persuasive activity, subject to rhetorical analysis. I use Toulmin's categories, which classify …
Joel Best Social Problems (2024) - healthmarketsreview.com
This extraordinary book, aptly titled "Joel Best Social Problems," written by a very acclaimed author, immerses readers in a captivating exploration of the significance of language and its …
Social Problems Joel Best (book) - 220-host.jewishcamp.org
Joel Best, in his seminal work, highlights the dangers of accepting simplistic explanations for complex social problems. He emphasizes the social construction of these problems, arguing …
Social Problems Joel Best
2 Social Problems Joel Best 2024-05-23 all friends oldand new ... worked in over five years to pursue both economic and social developmentis an issue which has turned Asia EU into ...Xi: …
Claims: Enhancing Media Literacy in Social Problems Classes
The project acquaints students to the constructionist approach to social problems and the method of content analysis. Guided by the principles of scaffolding, the note discusses how students …
Joel Best Social Problems - netsec.csuci.edu
Joel Best Social Problems Provides a large selection of free eBooks in different genres, which are available for download in various formats, including PDF. Finding specific Joel Best Social …
SOCIAL PROBLEMS - JSTOR
MANUSCRIPTS should be sent to: Joel Best, Department of Sociology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901-4524. Manuscripts for SOCIAL PROBLEMS should be prepared according to the style guide shown on the inside back cover of this issue. Authors should submit five copies of their manuscript. These copies will not be returned.
Joel Best Social Problems (2024) - netsec.csuci.edu
Joel Best, a prominent sociologist, has dedicated his career to dissecting the construction and framing of social problems, offering a crucial lens through which we can understand how issues are defined, debated, and ultimately addressed.
Constructionist Studies of Social Problems: How We Got …
Joel Best The principal theory of social problems (at least in the United States) is the social constructionist perspective, which defines social problem in terms of a claimsmaking process, rather than as a type of
THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF URBAN LEGENDS
SOCIAL PROBLEMS, Vol. 32, No. 5, June 1985 THE RAZOR BLADE IN THE APPLE: THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF URBAN LEGENDS* JOEL BEST GERALD T. HORIUCHI California State University, Fresno This paper examines the widespread belief that anonymous sadists give children dangerous treats on Halloween. A review of news stories about …
PEOPLE COUNT: THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF …
Joel Best, University of Delaware 322 Smith Hall, Newark, Delaware, 19716-2580, USA . Abstract. Social statistics often play a key role in discussions of social issues. Estimates for the extent of social problems and other similar figures tend to be treated as …
Social Problems Joel Best - vols.wta.org
understand and critically evaluate a wide range of contemporary social issues. How Claims Spread Joel Best, Best's anthology examines for the first time how diverse social issues--road rage, the metric system, gun control, and abortion are among those included--migrate across national boundaries, modifying
by joel best - SAGE Journals
Social problems do not have single causes, so they are unlikely to have simple solutions. In recent decades, the federal government has used the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) to measure reading and math skills in fourth-, eighth-, and twelfth-graders. White students average higher
Social Problems Joel Best Joel Best (Download Only) vols.wta
How Claims Spread Joel Best, Best's anthology examines for the first time how diverse social issues--road rage, the metric system, gun control, and abortion are among those included--migrate across national boundaries, modifying
Toward a Sociology of Gloom - JSTOR
SOCIAL PROGRESS AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS: Toward a Sociology of Gloom Joel Best University of Delaware Although significant social progress characterized the twentieth century, sociologists usually avoid acknowledging progress for fear of encouraging complacency about social problems. In four paradoxical ways, progress raises concern about social ...
Joel Best Social Problems Full PDF
Joel Best,2021-02-16 Across disciplines critical thinking is praised taught and put into practice But what does it actually mean to think critically In this brief volume sociologist Joel Best examines how to evaluate arguments and the evidence used to support them as he hones in on how to think in the field of sociology and beyond With inimitabl...
Considering What Counts: Claims about Nearly-Ubiquitous …
Thinking critically about claims of nearly-ubiquitous social problems requires: (1) asking how the statistic was produced; (2) considering questions of measurement; and (3) recognizing that the...
Joel Best University of Delaware, U.S.A. - ResearchGate
Joel Best is a Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice at the University of Delaware. His most recent books on constructing social problems are: The Student
Social Problems Joel Best Pdf (book)
authors brought together by the Society for the Study of Social Problems SSSP this book provides accessible insights into pressing social problems in the United States in the aftermath of the COVID 19 pandemic and proposes public policy responses for victims and justice precarious populations employment dilemmas and health and well being Making ...
Joel Best Social Problems - icins.org
How Claims Spread Joel Best, Best's anthology examines for the first time how diverse social issues--road rage, the metric system, gun control, and abortion are among those included--migrate across national boundaries, modifying
Rhetoric in Claims-Making: Constructing the Missing
JOEL BEST, California State University, Fresno Claims-making about social problems is a persuasive activity, subject to rhetorical analysis. I use Toulmin's categories, which classify statements as grounds, warrants, and conclusions, to examine the rhetoric of claims made about the missing children problem.
Joel Best Social Problems (2024) - healthmarketsreview.com
This extraordinary book, aptly titled "Joel Best Social Problems," written by a very acclaimed author, immerses readers in a captivating exploration of the significance of language and its profound impact on our existence.
Social Problems Joel Best (book) - 220-host.jewishcamp.org
Joel Best, in his seminal work, highlights the dangers of accepting simplistic explanations for complex social problems. He emphasizes the social construction of these problems, arguing that their definition, significance, and solutions are not
Social Problems Joel Best
2 Social Problems Joel Best 2024-05-23 all friends oldand new ... worked in over five years to pursue both economic and social developmentis an issue which has turned Asia EU into ...Xi: China Will Stay Committed to Peace and CooperationWhich is more than can be said for Joel Glazer or any of the family that ... achievements of the team under ...
Claims: Enhancing Media Literacy in Social Problems …
The project acquaints students to the constructionist approach to social problems and the method of content analysis. Guided by the principles of scaffolding, the note discusses how students are guided through a series of readings, assignments, and activities that enables them to analyze how social problems are portrayed in news media.
Joel Best Social Problems - netsec.csuci.edu
Joel Best Social Problems Provides a large selection of free eBooks in different genres, which are available for download in various formats, including PDF. Finding specific Joel Best Social Problems, especially related to Joel
