Deviance in U.S. Society
SOCY 1004 – 001
Spring 2012
MWF 11-11:50am
Instructor:
Jesse M. Smith, M.A.
Class Location:
Office:
Email:
Office Hours:
Required Textbook:
RAMY N1B23
Ketchum 207
jesse.m.smith@colorado.edu
M and W 12-1pm
Adler, Patricia and Peter Adler. 2012. Constructions of
Deviance: Social Power, Context, and Interaction, (Spring
2012 Custom 7th ed.) Belmont, CA: Cengage Publishing.
Class Description:
This class will examine the social construction of deviance in the context of the
United States. In addition to inquiring of the basic theories and methods used to
understand deviance, we will study the process of acquiring a deviant identity, examine
the ways in which people manage deviant identities, and investigate the social
organization of deviant behaviors, lifestyles, relationships and careers.
We will cover a good deal of information over the semester, but the class is also
designed to foster discussion and encourage students to effectively learn the material and
“own” the concepts that are taught. Good discussions require that students read and come
prepared and willing to share their insights in class. It is my goal to create a comfortable
and open environment where all members of the class are willing to share their ideas and
thoughts. In order for this environment to be achieved, it is crucial that all students
behave in a respectful manner towards one another.
Given the nature of this course, our discussions will often focus on issues that
may evoke strong feelings and/or disagreements. While enthusiastic discussion and
debate of these issues is wholeheartedly encouraged, insensitive or mean-spirited
comments based on race, ethnicity, gender, class, sexual orientation, religion, ideas or
beliefs will not be tolerated.
Evaluation:
There are 500 points possible in this course. Your grades are based on:
1) Three in-class exam portions at 100 points each = 300
2) Three take-home writing assignments (to coincide with exams) at 35 points each = 105
3) 5 in-class pop quizzes at 10 points each = 50
4) Attendance: forty-five class meetings at 1 point each = 45
In Class Expectations:
1)Arrive to class on time 2)Turn off your cell phones 3) Refrain from talking or
otherwise distracting others during class 4) Remain for the whole class 5) I will allow
laptops, but ONLY for classroom purposes
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Honor Code:
All students of the University of Colorado at Boulder are responsible for knowing and
adhering to the academic integrity policy of this institution. Violations of this policy may
include: cheating, plagiarism, aid of academic dishonesty, fabrication, lying, bribery, and
threatening behavior. All incidents of academic misconduct shall be reported to the
Honor Cole Council and those students who are found to be in violation of the academic
integrity policy will be subject to both academic sanctions from the faculty member
involved and non-academic sanctions given by the Honor Cole Council (including but not
limited to university probation, suspension, or expulsion), Please refer to
www.colorado.edu/honorcode to view the specific guidelines.
Disability Statement:
If you have a specific physical, psychiatric, or learning disability and require
accommodations, please let me know during the first week of the semester so we can
meet your needs appropriately. You will need to provide documentation of your
disability to the Disability Services Office in Willard 322 (ph. 303-492-8671, on the web
at http://www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices).
Accommodation for Religious Observances:
Please notify me as soon as possible if you recognize any conflict with test dates,
assignment due dates, and/or class attendance that will occur as the result of religious
observances. Notification must be made no later than two weeks prior to the date of
conflict so that you and I have time to make other arrangements.
Course Schedule
Date
Wed
Fri
Mon
Wed
Fri
Mon
Wed
Fri
Mon
Wed
Fri
Mon
Wed
Fri
1/18
1/20
1/23
1/25
1/27
1/30
2/1
2/3
2/6
2/8
2/10
2/13
2/15
2/17
Section Topic
Reading/Assignments
Class Introduction
Defining Deviance
Review Syllabus
General Intro; Sociology of Deviance
Middle Class Norms
Relativism: Labeling Theory
Absolutism: The Morality of Deviance
Social Power: Conflict Theory of Crime
Functionalism/Social Structure and Anomie
Differential Association Theory
Control Theory
Feminist Theory
Constructionist Stance
Statistics (Child Abuse Reporting)
Surveys (Sexual Behavior of Americans)
Field Research (Dealers and Smugglers)
Perspectives
Theories of Deviance
Studying Deviance
2
Mon 2/20 Review for Exam/Catch-up
Wed 2/22 First Exam
Fri
2/24 Constructing Deviance
Moral Entrepreneurs (Drug Scares)
Mon 2/27
Blowing Smoke: Status Politics
Wed 2/29
Moral Panics (Satanic Daycare Centers*)
Fri
3/2
Differential Power: Labeling Gender, Race, and Urban Policing
Mon 3/5
Homophobia and Women’s Sport
Wed 3/7
Differential Power: Resisting Saints and Roughnecks
Fri
3/9
Doctor’s Autonomy and Power
Mon 3/14 Deviant Identity
Identity Development (“Fat Identity”)
Wed 3/17
Becoming Bisexual
Fri
3/19
Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia
Mon 3/12 Accounts
Convicted Rapists Vocabulary of Motive
Wed 3/14
Neutralization (Devil Made Me Do It)
Fri
3/16 Review for Exam/Catch-up
Mon 3/19 Second Exam
Wed 3/21 Stigma Management
Men Who Cheer/Stigma of Bankruptcy*
Fri
3/23
Homeless Kids’ Stigma/Collective Stigma
Mon 3/26 Spring Break
Wed 3/28 Spring Break
Fri
3/30 Spring Break
Mon 4/2
Social Org. of Deviance
Loners (Drug Use and Disordered Eating)
Wed 4/4
Online Communities (Self-Injury)
Fri
4/6
Subcultures (Ecstasy Use*)
Mon 4/9
Gangs (Gender and Victimization Risk)
Wed 4/11
Formal Organizations (International Crime)
Fri
4/13 Structure of the Deviant Act Individual (Autoerotic Sexual Asphyxia)
Mon 4/16
Cooperation (Naked Power*)
Wed 4/18
Conflict (Sexual Assault/White Collar)
Fri
4/20 Deviant Careers
Entering (Committing Burglary)
Mon 4/23
Managing (Gay Male Christian Couples)
Wed 4/25
Career Stages (Pimp-Controlled Prostitute)
Fri
4/27
Exiting Deviance (Shifts and Oscillations)
Mon 4/30 Relevance of Deviance
Relevance of Deviance of Sociology*
Wed 5/2
Review for Final/Catch-up
Fri
5/4
Grade Assess/Finalize Class
FINAL EXAM ON THURSDAY MAY 10 AT 7:30am-10:00am
*Readings marked with an asterisk are available on CULearn
Note: The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the course schedule as
needed. Students will be notified promptly of any changes.
Important: Absolutely no make-ups on either exams or quizzes unless there is a
legitimate reason, and the student makes arrangements with the instructor beforehand.
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