Description
Please summarize the four chapters (Goode & Ben-Yehuda: “Social Problems,” and Harris & Best: “Studying the construction of Social Problems” and “Three Questions for Constructionism” and Laclau and Mouffe: “Discourse vs. Reality”) in 100-150 words each and then discuss the following questions:
What is the difference between objectivism and constructionism?
What are the implications of the constructionist view of social problems for the conceptualization of moral panics?
How does the New York Times article “Live in a Poor Neighborhood? Better Be a Perfect Parent” illustrate the main argument that social problems are constructed?
How would objectivists and constructionists each understand 9/11 attacks? What would be the main difference? (Note: this is not a question about whether or not 9/11 is a social problem. Rather, the question is about whether the mainstream characterizations are inherent in the event itself.)
Would you describe the aftermath of 9/11 as moral panic? If so, why? If not, why?