SPECIFIC 1. Knowledge of the basic components of both social inequalities and cultural differences. 2. Analysis of the main concepts, and generalizations about human society and its processes. 3. Capabilities to contribute to the design of policies to address social problems. GENERAL 1. Capacity to recognize the complexity of social phenomena. 2. Capacity to relate the knowledge of sociology and related disciplines. 3. Ethical commitment.

LESSON 1. Introduction Origin of the study of social problems Social problem definition Theoretical approaches The connection of social problems with the needs and human rights. LESSON 2. Study and diagnosis of social problems Phases of analysis of social problems Methods Intervention Technical indicators for the analysis of inequality and social problems. LESSON 3. Inequality as a starting point of social problems: concepts and types of inequality Inequality of what? Inequality in the current welfare state Justification of inequality by different theoretical paradigms Types of inequality: economic, political, social and labor LESSON 4. Social Exclusion Concept and dimensions Exclusógenos factors and inclusógenos Sectors and territorial dimension of social exclusion The measurement of social exclusion LESSON 5. The economic manifestation of social exclusion: poverty Definitions and explanations of poverty Policies and intervention programs against poverty The United Nations Millennium Goals LESSON 6. Other social problems in contemporary societies Disability and dependency. Gender violence. Child abuse. Crime, social conflict and deviance. LESSON 7. Policies and social action to fight social problems The importance of stakeholders for the identification and resolution of the problems. Concepts and proposals on the promotion of citizenship, diversity management, social integration.

ECTS credits are divided equally into two blocks of three credits each. Each of these blocks is attached well to the theoretical or practical exercises. About the theoretical, these will build on lessons and participatory classes (classroom debate) using visual tools to facilitate the lecture. The practical exercises will be carried out in two ways: The first one is aimed at classroom practices in correspondence with the different themes. The classroom practices will be used to support the basic readings from literature, articles, charts and statistics, documentary films, transcripts of interviews... The second form is intended to brief work group whose purpose is the analysis of different social problems. The development of the work was performed as a team (about 3 students) and the methodology will be discussed at the beginning of the course and will be common to all works. Some of these works will be presented in the classroom.