Institution
Course Title
Format
Instructor
Time Required
Relevant
Chapter(s)
Description
Learning
Objective(s)
Relevant Course
Objective(s)
Core Concept(s)
Addressed
Student Retention
Features
Bloom’s
Taxonomy
Targets
Other Learning
Targets
Pre- Class
Preparation
Needed Materials
Activity
Description
Ivy Tech Community College
Introduction to Sociology
Traditional, although adaptable to online or hybrid formats
Evan Brown
Evaluating Deviance
Lesson Title
45 minutes + homework
15-30
Class Size
Crime and Deviance
In this three part activity, students will be asked to evaluate different deviant scenarios and rank them
accordingly. Part 1 of the activity has them evaluating deviant behavior from a US culture perspective, part 2
has them evaluating deviance in other cultures, and part 3 has them evaluating deviance from a cultural
relativistic perspective.
1. Understand the concept of the social construction of reality
2. Practice thinking from a culturally relativistic viewpoint
3. Recognize cultural difference in deviance
1. Describe the processes of socialization, the formation of social structure, and assess the social construction
of reality from a multi-cultural perspective.
2. Define and describe such sociological terms as society, culture, socialization, groups, deviance, institutions
(e.g. religion, family, education, work, political), social movements, demographics (age, gender, race,
ethnicity), social change and social stratification.
3. Describe sociological concepts and their application to everyday living – ways that these concepts
facilitate meeting life’s daily challenges.
1. Social construction of reality/social control
2. Crime/Deviance
3. Cultural Relativism and ethnocentrism
In class, product related, group activity. Both formative and summative assessments. Application to local and
global realities. Outside class responsibility.
Remembering
Analyzing
Understanding
X
Evaluating
Applying
Creating
1. Contextualize and analyze complex connections among local and global phenomena.
2. Make choices and decisions informed by multiple frames of reference, including international and cultural
contexts.
3. Recognize oneself and one’s culture through the perception of others.
For Instructor
Prepare Power Point slides, copy handouts for Parts 1, 2, 3
For Students
Read the crime and deviance chapter beforehand
1. Part 1, 2, 3 handouts
Group Size: 2-3
Group Dynamics/Responsibilities: note taker, mediator, summarizer
Step 1: 10 min - Get into groups of 2-3, review Part 1 behavior scenarios, rank accordingly.
Step 2: Create a table on the board for students to then fill in their ranking.
Step 3: 15 min - Discuss the reasoning behind their evaluation, compare similar behaviors but different
evaluations, relate to perspectives on deviance, answer questions in class.
Step 4: Complete Part 2, rank accordingly, reveal additional information, discuss deviance types.
Step 5: Hand out Part 3, have them read in class, but complete at home to bring in the next period.
Wrap up
Assessment
Details
Results
Notes/Modificatio
ns/Adjustments
Adaptation to
other formats
Further Resources
Other
Relate to core concepts and objectives of deviance, social control, and social construction of reality.
Formative: in class answers to Part 1 and Part 2 questions
Summative: written answers to Part 3 questions
Students can demonstrate: openness, recognition, and acceptance of differences.
Students have willingness to act upon acquired knowledge, skills, and attitudes in global and local contexts.
Online: Discussion board activity for Parts 1 and 2 – have students post their rank/order and reasoning. Create
a blog assignment for Part 3 – require replies.