Sociology 272: Societal Deviance

Fall 2007

Website: http://employees.oneonta.edu/thomasa/

Instructor:  Alex Thomas

Office:  416 Fitzelle

Office Hours: T 2:00-4:00 ; Th 1:00-2:00; & by app’t

Phone:  436-2149

Class: T 4:00-6:30 PM; SCHU 213

Email:  thomasa@oneonta.edu

 

WARNING:

 

Some of the material discussed in this course might be considered offensive.  Your continued enrollment in this course indicates your willingness to be exposed to and discuss this material.

 

Some of the material discussed in the course can be emotionally difficult.  If you are feeling like you would like someone to discuss past or present issues, contact the SUCO Counseling Center at 436-3368.

 

 

Course Description & Objectives

 

Describes and analyzes individual or group reactions that deviate from sociocultural forms and are stigmatized or punished to some degree in society.  Among the reactions are: drug addiction, alcoholism, prostitution, suicide, and forms of mental illness.  (From the Course Catalog)

 

By the end of this course, the student should have an understanding of a number of different types of deviance, the societal reaction to deviant behaviors, and the various theories relating to the causes of social deviance.

 

Course Format & Policies

 

1.       You are expected to attend all classes and read all assigned materials.  You may expect to be tested on all assigned reading whether discussed in class or not.  Similarly, materials discussed in class but not in the assigned reading should also be expected on exams.

 

  1. In the event that you miss an exam, you have one opportunity to take a make-up exam at a mutually agreeable time.  The exam may not be the same exam given to the rest of the class.  Exams must be made-up within one week of the exam date.

 

  1. Assignments are considered due at the beginning of class.  Late assignments are lowered a grade for every class period late.  Missing a class and turning in an assignment later the same day is still late.  Similarly, exam times are the beginning of class. No work can under any circumstances be accepted after the last day of class.

 

  1. Always save a copy of any work submitted for your own records.

 

Required Books

 

Thio, A.  2003.  Deviant Behavior.  Seventh Edition.  New York:  Longman.  (TEXT)

 

 

Students Diagnosed with a Disability

 

All individuals who are diagnosed with a disability are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. As such, you may be entitled to certain accommodations within this class. If you are diagnosed with a disability, please make an appointment to meet with Student Disability Services (SDS), 209 Alumni Hall, ext. 2137. All students with the necessary supporting documentation will be provided appropriate accommodations as determined by the SDS Office.

 

It is entirely your responsibility to contact SDS and concurrently supply me with your accommodation plan, which will inform me exactly what accommodations you are entitled to. You will only receive accommodations once you provide me with an SDS accommodation plan.

 

 

Grading

 

Assignment

Date

Percent

Covers

Midterm Exam

October 16

30

TEXT Chapters 1-7; classwork

Paper

December 4

25

See Below

Final Exam

December 18

35

ENTIRE COURSE

Attendance & Participation

Ongoing

10

See below

 

Schedule

 

Unit:

Week of:

Read:

1-Introduction

Sept. 4

Text Ch. 1

2-Positivist Theories

Sept. 11

Text Ch. 2

3-Constructionist Theories

Sept. 18

Text Ch. 3

4-Physical Violence

Sept. 25

Text Ch. 4

5-Sexual Violence

Oct. 2

Text Ch. 5

6-Family Violence

Oct. 9

Text Ch. 6

7-Suicide

Oct. 16

Text Ch. 7

MIDTERM EXAM

Oct. 16

Text 1-7; classwork

8-Mental Disorder

Oct. 23

Text Ch. 8

9-Heterosexual Deviance

Oct. 30

Text Ch. 9

10-Homophobia

Nov. 6

Text Ch. 10

11-Drug Use

Nov. 13

Text Ch. 11

12-Alcohol

Nov. 27

Text Ch. 12

13-White Collar Crime

Dec. 4

Text Ch. 13

PAPER DUE

Dec. 4

 

14-Blue Collar Crime

Dec. 11

Text Ch. 14

FINAL EXAM

Tuesday Dec. 18 @ 4:00 PM

ENTIRE COURSE

Final Exam Note: Do not follow Final Exam Schedule; treat as Evening Course

(If you have a conflicting exam, see me)

 

 

 

Attendance & Participation

 

Attendance and class participation is worth a total of ten (10) percent of your final grade.  In order to participate in class, students must attend class.  Attendance will normally be taken at least once in a class.  At times, attendance will be taken twice per class.  In addition, several short reaction papers will be assigned based on class material for that day.  If you are not in class the day they are assigned, you may not make up this assignment.  For each assigned reaction essay received and each time attendance is taken, a check will be assigned.  The participation grade is based on the percentage of “checks” a student earns.  You may miss a total of four checks without penalty; written medical and family excuses do not result in credit received for the days absent, but may allow the student to make up a written assignment.  Only in extraordinary circumstances, such as an extended medical illness or family emergency, will compensatory credit be granted upon receipt of written documentation.

 

Research Paper

 

In public, break a folkway.  How do you feel breaking the folkway?  How are other people reacting to your act of deviance?  How do you suppose your emotional state and other people’s reactions interact to encourage people to conform?  Write a six to eight page paper about your experience.

 

NOTE:  You must break a folkway.  You may not violate a more or a taboo.  You may not break any law, severely disrupt others, or endanger yourself or anyone around you.  In other words, think!  If you have any question or any doubt at all, see me.  Any project that fails to abide by these rules will receive an automatic F.  Again, if you have any questions, see me.

 

Due Date: Dec.4, 2007 in class

Summary: 5 to 8 pages, typed, double spaced, reasonable font, stapled

 

Examples:  In the past, student have:

 

1)      Gone to the mall, splashed water on their pants to make it appear that they had wet themselves, and walked around.

2)      Sang a song at the Hunt Union (spontaneously)

3)      Smiled too much

4)      Worn inappropriate clothing (legally, mind you)

5)      Inquire as to the meaning of basic words

 

 

Film Reaction Assignment #1

 

In Bowling for Columbine, filmmaker Michael Moore argues that it is not guns that are violent, but rather the people who use them in violent and criminal ways.  In a sense, he adopts the position of the National Rifle Association.  He then goes on to argue that American violent crimes rates are the highest in the industrial world because American culture is violent.

 

Do you agree with his argument?  Explain your position using information from the textbook and in the film.  In addition, cite one example of American popular culture that supports your position.

 

DUE: Tuesday, October 9 in class