Sociology 170: Deviant Social Behavior

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Sociology 170 - Deviant Social Behavior

Spring 1998

"A critical examination of the major theories of deviation. Analysis of the process of deviant behavior, including societal definition of deviants, societal reaction and the formation of deviant groups. Prerequisite: Entry-level sociology course or instructor consent."

Course: Sociology 170, Deviant Behavior,

Text Books: Delos H. Kelly, Deviant Behavior: A Text-Reader in the
Sociology of Deviance (New York: St. Martin's Press)

Earl Rubington and Martin S. Weinberg, Deviance: The Interactionist Perspective (New York: Macmillan Publishing Co.).

Instructor:

R. Dean Wright, Ph.D.

124 Howard Hall

(515) 271-3618

E-mail: Dean.Wright@drake.edu

Office Hours: 8:00 - 9:00 TR., 11:00 - 12:00 TR., and 3:00 - 4:00 T. Other times by appointment

Make-up Policy: Students will be permitted to take make-up examinations only for authorized absences, including medical excuses. Make-up examinations will be given at specific times and a different examination will always be prepared in these situations. If the need arises you should discuss the matter with the instructor.

Examinations: There will be three essay examinations during the semester, each given on Friday. Each examination will be worth one-hundred points and will contain relatively general essay questions that are arranged in a manner to guarantee answering questions derived from readings and classroom materials.

Projects: There will be three projects / papers / research endeavors during the semester. These projects will involve a variety of tasks and will be either an individual or group project. Each project will be worth 50 points.

Grading Policy: Grades will be based on three examinations, grades on projects/papers and class participation.

Final grades will be based upon total points received during the semester and the scale is as follows:

A = 90 - 100 percent

B = 80 - 89 percent

C = 70 - 79 percent

D = 60 - 69 percent

F = 59 percent and below

Course Objectives: This course serves as one of the electives within the Department of Sociology. As such, the course serves a more general or liberal audience. The objectives are more broadly defined than are those of required or core courses. The objectives of this course are to

introduce the major sociological themes concerning deviance,
ensure that the student is exposed to importance of reliable and valid methodologies used in understanding deviance,
provide a setting in which the major theories associated with deviance can be analyzed,
provide an arena in which linkages can be made about both theory and research pertaining to deviance,
examine the relationship among theory, knowledge of crime, social response, and public policy relating to deviance, and
provide students with alternative models that might be used by students to better understand public concerns and responses to deviance.

These goals will be addressed through lecture, discussion, and the application provided through required student projects.

Departmental Goals: The Department of Sociology has voted to support the following list of goals to serve as "benchmarks" for students who complete degrees in Sociology at Drake University.

develop critical reasoning and verbal and written communication skills, and an ability to integrate these;
gain an understanding of basic research methods used in the discipline;
learn to think theoretically;
gain familiarity with the major 19th and 20th century social theorists who typically are perceived as articulating the questions that define the scope of the discipline;
understand the historical context for contemporary social events and sociological questions; and
develop a critical self-awareness and an understanding of the relationship among social thought, ideology, and common sense.

Each instructor in the Department of Sociology is to note the benchmark(s) that his or her course is designed to meet. This course, Sociology 170, has three primary goals. First, it is designed to assist the student in better understanding the historical context for contemporary social events and sociological questions that guide public responses to deviance. This course has a second major goal of providing the student with the opportunity to develop critical reasoning skills relative to the theory application of knowledge about deviance. A third goal is to develop a critical self-awareness and understanding of the relationship among social thought, ideology, and common sense pertaining to deviance. Secondary goals are associated with providing students with an understanding of the reality of deviance as they enter a real world that is driven by social/political/ideological reaction rather than knowledge.

SOCIOLOGY 170 - Deviant Behavior - Daily Meeting Outline

Tuesday, January 20, 1998 Introduction to the concept of deviance/sociological perspectives.

Thursday, January 22, 1998 Creating Deviance: Kelly, Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4.

Tuesday, January 28, 1998 Understanding Deviance: Theories and Perspectives: Kelly, Chapters 5, 6, 7, 8.

Thursday, January 30, 1998 Continuation of January 28 materials.

Tuesday, February 3, 1998 Cultural Transmission, Anomie, and Conflict Theories: Kelly, Chapters 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14.

Thursday, February 5, 1998 Continuation of February 3 materials.

Tuesday, February 10, 1998 Control and Interaction Theories - Typing: Kelly, Chapters 15, 16, 17, 18.

Thursday, February 12, 1998 Rubington and Weinberg, Chapter 1 (has reference to all articles in chapter one ... Becker, Kitsuse, and Erikson).

Tuesday, February 17, 1998 Accommodation to Deviance and Cultural Context of Deviance: Rubington and Weinberg, Chapters 2, 3.

Thursday, February 19, 1998 Examination Number One

Tuesday, February 24, 1998 Paper One Due - Becoming Deviant: Kelly, chapters 19, 20, 21, 22.

Thursday, February 26,1998 Continuation of February 24 materials.

Tuesday, March 3, 1998 The role of Third Parties and Helping Agencies: Rubington and Weinberg, Chapters 4, 5.

Thursday, March 5, 1998 Continuation of March 3 materials.

Tuesday, March 10, 1998 Institutional Deviance: Kelly, Chapters 23, 24, 25, 26.

Thursday, March 12, 1998 Continuation of March 10 materials.

Tuesday, March 17, 1998 The Police and Courts and Deviance: Kelly, Chapters 27. 28. Rubington and Weinberg, Chapters 6, 7.

Thursday, March 19, 1998 Continuation of March 17 materials.

Tuesday, March 24, 1998 Mid-term break - classes do not meet this week.

Thursday, March 26, 1998 Mid-term break - classes do not meet this week.

Tuesday, March 31, 1998 The Impact of Control Agencies on Deviance: Kelly, Chapters 29, 30. Rubington and Weinberg, Chapter 8.

Thursday, April 1, 1998 Examination Number Two

Tuesday, April 7, 1998 Paper Two Due - Noninstitutional Deviance / Deviant Subcultures: Kelly, Chapters 31, 32, 33, 34. Rubington and Weinberg, Chapter 9. 10.

Thursday, April 9, 1998 Continuation of April 7 materials.

Tuesday, April 14, 1998 Cultures and Subculture - Learning Deviant Worlds and Variations: Rubington and Weinberg, Chapter 11 and 12.

Thursday, April 16, 1998 Continuation of April 14 materials.

Tuesday, April 21, 1998 Elite Deviance and Systematic Responses: Kelly, Chapters 35, 36, 37, 38.

Thursday, April 23, 1998 Continuation of April 21 materials.

Tuesday, April 28, 1998 Acquiring and Managing Identity: Rubington and Weinberg, Chapters 13, 14.

Thursday, April 30, 1998 Changing Deviance: Kelly, Chapters 39, 40, 41, 42

Tuesday, May 5, 1998 Transforming Deviant Identity: Rubington and Weinberg, Chapter 15. Kelly, Chapters 43, 44.

Thursday, May 7, 1998 Paper Three Due

Tuesday, May 12, 1998 - 9:30 am Examination Number Three