Deviance and Social Control
Course Syllabus – Florida State University
Fall 2011 – SYP 4570, Section 03
Tuesday & Thursday 11:00 – 12:15
Bellamy Building 0023
Instructor: R. Serkan Erdemli
Office Location: Bellamy 510
Office Hours: Tuesday 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM (or by appointment)
E-mail: rse08@fsu.edu
Course Description
This course is designed to provide an overview of theoretical, empirical, and policy issues in the
sociology of deviance. The primary focus will be on the construction and social consequences of
deviant behavior and appearances, as well as class, race/ethnicity, and gender issues pertaining to
deviance. The course starts with an up-to-date assessment and critique of major sociological and
social-psychological theories and perspectives on deviance. The course, then, will proceed to the
examination of specific behaviors that have come to be defined as social deviance, such as family
violence, mental disorders, suicide, heterosexual deviance, and drug use. The course will also
touch on newly recognized deviant behaviors (e.g. prescription drug abuse, Internet deviance).
Note that this course is dealing with various aspects of deviance and discussions or assignments
on such issues may make some students feel uncomfortable. If this is the case, students are
encouraged to see the instructor after the first meeting.
Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Define deviance from a sociological perspective
2. Describe major research findings in subfields of deviance literature
3. Explain the ways social structures and social interaction produce, maintain, and change
the experience and expression of deviance
Course Materials
Required Textbook
Thio, Alex. 2010. Deviant Behavior. 10th Edition. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon
ISBN: 9780205693238
The instructor has the option of placing additional required readings under “Course Library” on
the Blackboard website. All students are expected to read assigned readings prior to class.
Course Requirements
To satisfactorily pass the course, students are expected to:
1. Perform satisfactorily on the tests given by the instructor
2. Perform satisfactorily on the writing assignments
3. Complete all reading assignments and be able to discuss topics from those assignments in
class.
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Evaluation & Grading
The final grade will be based upon attendance & participation, three short essays, and three
midterms.
Attendance & Participation (10 points): Attendance is not mandatory but highly encouraged.
Students are expected to contribute to the class by asking questions and participating in class
discussions. Attendance is essential for making such contributions. Random attendance will be
taken throughout the semester. The student, whether present or not, is responsible to complete
all work assigned in class, keep track with the announcements and material presented during the
lectures, and follow the instructor’s policies regarding making up missed assignments/exams and
providing any required documentation related to the absence.
Short Essays (10 points each): Students are required to complete three 2-4 pages (double-spaced,
1” margins, times new roman 12pt font, page numbered) written assignments during the semester.
Detailed instructions for these assignments will be provided in class at least a week before the due
dates.
Midterms (20 points each): Three midterm exams, consisting of multiple choice, short answer,
and essay questions, will be given during the semester. Midterm exams aim to test students’
familiarity with the course material and understanding of particular concepts, theories, and
implications.
All students are expected to be present for the midterms at the beginning of the exam period.
Students arriving late will nevertheless only have the remaining time of the exam period. Makeup exams will be given for those who missed the exams and have legitimate excuses. The
legitimate excuses include documented illness, deaths in the family and other documented crises,
call to active military duty or jury duty, religious holy days, and official University activities.
These absences will be accommodated in a way that does not arbitrarily penalize students who
have a valid excuse. Consideration will also be given to students whose dependent children
experience serious illness.
Cheating and Plagiarism
Students must abide by the highest standards of academic integrity. Any form of academic
dishonesty will result in a “zero” for that particular assignment or an “F” for the course, at the
instructor’s discretion. Any student who plagiarizes, cheats on exams, or otherwise behaves in a
dishonest way may be reported to the university administration for further disciplinary action as
specified in the Academic Honor Policy
(http://www.fsu.edu/~dof/forms/honorpolicy.pdf).
Grading Scale
Final course letter grades will be assigned based upon the scales shown below:
A
93-100
B
83-86
C
73-76
D
A90-92
B80-82
C70-72
DB+
87-89
C+
77-79
D+
67-69
F
Extra Credit
There will be no extra credit available in this course.
63-66
60-62
<60
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Incomplete Grades
Missing work or uncompleted assignments are insufficient reasons for a grade of Incomplete (I).
An Incomplete grade will not be given except under extenuating circumstances at the instructor’s
discretion. Note that College of Social Science guidelines require that students seeking an “I”
must be passing the course.
Late Work Policy
Any work turned in more than 10 minutes after the deadline will be considered as late. A late
assignment will receive a 10% grade deduction. An additional 10% reduction will be given for
every 24 hours of late submission.
Course Policy
Classroom Courtesy
Classroom courtesy is necessary to ensure that all students have the opportunity to learn without
distractions. Please behave in this class in a courteous and respectful manner toward fellow
students, the instructor, and any substitute teacher or guest speaker. Courteous class behavior
involves:
1. Avoiding being late for class; tardy arrivals are very disruptive.
2. Refraining from talking in class unless making a contribution to class discussion.
3. Resisting any temptation to engage in written communication with fellow students.
4. Not gathering supplies five minutes before the end of the class.
5. Staying in your seat until the instructor dismisses the class.
6. Not using cell phones or any other electronic devices during class. If you must have a cell
phone to receive emergency calls, keep it on vibrate.
This class involves sensitive topics such as mental disorders, substance use, and sexuality, which
might start heated debates. Although discussion is a key part of learning, no student is allowed to
attack other students for their political or religious beliefs, personal appearance, race/ethnicity,
gender, gender identification, sexuality, age, or abilities.
Academic Honor Policy
Students are expected to abide by the Academic Honor Policy of the Florida State University,
including the statement on Values and Moral Standards published in The Florida State University
General Bulletin. The Academic Honor Policy outlines the University's expectations for students’
academic work, the procedures for resolving alleged violations of these expectations, and the
rights and responsibilities of students and faculty throughout the process. Please see the following
website for a complete explanation of the Academic Honor
Policy: http://www.fsu.edu/~dof/honorpolicy.htm.
Americans with Disabilities Act
Students with disabilities needing academic accommodation should: (1) register with and provide
documentation to the Student Disability Resource Center; (2) bring a letter to the instructor
indicating the need for accommodation and what type. Your request should be made during the
first week of semester. For more information about services available to FSU students with
disabilities, contact:
Student Disability Resource Center, 108 Student Services Bldg., Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL 32306-4167. Tel: (850)644-9566 (voice), (850)644-8504 (TDD).
E-mail: SDRC@admin.fsu.edu. Website: http://www.fsu.edu/~staffair/dean/StudentDisability/
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Syllabus Change Policy
This syllabus is a guide for the course and is subject to change with advance notice.
Course Schedule
This is a tentative, abbreviated course schedule.
Aug. 30
Overview of the Course Syllabus
Perspectives & Theories
Sep. 1
Introduction to Deviance: The Nature & Meaning of Deviance
Sep. 6
Positivist Theories
Sep. 8
Constructionist Theories
Sep. 13
Evaluation of Theories
Interpersonal Violence
Sep. 15
Physical Violence
#1 Assignment Due
Sep. 20
Physical Violence, cont’d.
Sep. 22-27
Rape & Child Molestation
Sep. 29-Oct. 4 Family Violence
Oct. 6
#1 Midterm
Self-Destructive Deviance
Oct. 11-13
Suicide
Oct. 18-20
Mental Disorder
Diverse Life Styles
Oct. 25
Heterosexual Deviance
#2 Assignment Due
Oct. 27
Heterosexual Deviance, cont’d.
Nov. 1-3
Victims of Stigma
Nov. 8
#2 Midterm
Substance Use & Abuse
Nov. 10-15
Drug Use
Nov. 17-22
Drinking & Alcoholism
Nov. 24
Thanksgiving – No Class
Nov. 29
Drinking & Alcoholism, cont’d.
Inequality in Deviance
Dec. 1-6
Privileged/Underprivileged Deviance
#3 Assignment Due
Cyberspace
Dec. 8
Internet Deviance