Sociology 380
Winter Semester 2011
Instructor: Bert Burraston, PhD
Office: 2035 JFSB
Office Hours: Tue and Thu at 2:50-3:50
Office Phone: 801 422-1692
Email: bert_burraston@byu.edu
Course Information
Course Materials
Required
Deviant Behavior (10th Edition)
By Alex Thio
ISBN: 9780205693238
Vendor
Price (new)
Price
(used)
BYU
$103.60
$77.70
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Introducing Students to the Concept of the Sociological
Imagination: A Written Assignment
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Kathleen M. O'Flaherty
Teaching Sociology, Vol. 20, No. 4, Gifts: 20 Great Ideas
for Teaching Sociology. (Oct., 1992),
pp. 326-328.
Stable URL:
Contextual Risk Across the Early Life Span and Association
http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0092with Antisocial Behavior
055X%28199210%2920%3A4%3C326%3AISTTCO%3E2.
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Deborah Capaldi, David DeGarmo, Gerald R. Patterson, and
Marion Forgatch
Chapter 6 of OSLC APA Book, posted on BLackboard
Sociology of Terrorism
Austin T. Turk Source: Annual Review of Sociology, Vol.
30 (2004), pp. 271-286 Published by: Annual Reviews
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/29737694
The Mind of the Terrorist: A Review and Critique of
Psychological Approaches
Jeff Victoroff Source: The Journal of Conflict Resolution,
Vol. 49, No. 1 (Feb., 2005), pp. 3-42 Published by: Sage
Publications, Inc. Stable URL:
http://www.jstor.org/stable/30045097
Some Roots of Terrorism
Paul R. Ehrlich and Jianguo Liu Source: Population and
Environment, Vol. 24, No. 2 (Nov., 2002), pp. 183-192
Published by: Springer Stable URL:
http://www.jstor.org/stable/27503829
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International Terrorism and the World-System
Albert J. Bergesen and Omar Lizardo Source: Sociological
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Theory, Vol. 22, No. 1, Theories of Terrorism: A
Symposium (Mar., 2004), pp. 38-52 Published by: American
Sociological Association Stable URL:
http://www.jstor.org/stable/3648958
Explaining Terrorism: The Contribution of Collective Action
Theory
Anthony Oberschall Source: Sociological Theory, Vol. 22,
No. 1, Theories of Terrorism: A Symposium (Mar., 2004),
pp. 26-37 Published by: American Sociological Association
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/3648957
The Geometry of Terrorism
Donald Black Source: Sociological Theory, Vol. 22, No. 1,
Theories of Terrorism: A Symposium (Mar., 2004), pp. 1425 Published by: American Sociological Association Stable
URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/3648956
Friendships in Childhood and Adolescence: The Life Course
and New Directions
Robert Crosnoe: Social Psychology Quarterly, Vol. 63, No.
4, Special Millenium Issue on the State of Sociological
Social Psychology. (Dec., 2000), pp. 377-391. Stable URL:
http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=01902725%28200012%2963%3A4%3C377%3AFICAAT%3E2.
Writes of Passage: Writing an Empirical Journal Article
0.CO%3B2-G
LYNN WHITE: Journal of Marriage and Family 67
(November 2005): 791–798
Parental Conflict and Marital Disruption: Do Children
Benefit When High Conflict Marriages are Dissolved?
Donna Ruane Morrison, Mary Jo Coiro: Journal of Mariage
and Family, Vol. 61, No.3 (Aug., 1999), pp. 626-637.
An ecological approach to child clinical and counseling
psychology
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Stormshak, Elizabeth A ; Dishion, Thomas J:Clinical child
and family psychology review, Sep, 2002, Vol.5(3), p.197215
Can general strain theory explain white-collar crime? A
preliminary investigation of the relationship between strain
and select white-collar offenses
Lynn Langton, Nicole Leeper Piquero: Journal of Criminal
Justice 35 (2007) 1–15
Course Description
In this course we shall examine both sociological knowledge and theories related to crime, deviance, and social
control. We will be look at both social structural and social psychological explanations for deviance. This is a junior
level course where discussion, writing, critical thinking, and application are emphasized.
Prerequisites
The are no prerequisites.
Course Learning Outcomes
 To be conversant within the issues within crime, deviance, and social control (street & property crime,
white collar crime, domestic violence, substance abuse, etc.) and the variety of theories (structural
functionalism (Anomie), conflict, neo-Marxism, social learning, differential association, rational
choice, control, etc.) and research methods associated with criminology.
 Be able to critically assess the strengths and weaknesses of current sociological theories and research
related to criminology.
 Know the major controversies and debates, new developments, emerging issues, and current trends
associated within sociology of crime and deviance.
 Learn the limitations of extrapolating from your own experiences and be able to articulate how the life
experiences of others may differ from your own.
 Know how race, gender, and/or class intersect with other social categories to create a variety of life
experiences and influences the life chances of individuals.
 Be able to articulate the sources of social conflict and describe the relations of power.
 Conduct an electronic bibliographic search and determine the scientific quality of the research you
find, and demonstrate your knowledge of an issue within crime and deviance by developing an original
sociological argument in a research paper (e.g. literature review, research proposal, or theoretical
analysis).
 Integrate the knowledge and skills learned in sociology of crime and deviancy with your life goals and
professional interests.
Assignments
Assignment Descriptions
Paper 1: Sociological Imagination and College:
This assignment is worth 25 points. Using the Sociological Imagination, in about 2 pages compare both the macro and
micro events from your life that lead you to attend college with those from someone in a different social class. It is ok
to use the life of a fictional character or a friend rather than your own. Macro factors include the political,
economic, and cultural climate as well as historic and world events. Micro factors include your family, peers, and other
close personal relationships such as teachers and/or counselors. Remember part of the sociological imagination is to put
one’s life into historical context. Connect your experience with the class material. In writing this paper here are some
question you should address:
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How does family influence the decision (remember to included social class)?
Did most of your peers go on to college? Why or why not? What types of jobs did your friend’s parents have?
What community factors had an influence? For example, what was the labor market like in your community?
What international and national factors influenced you?
What major world events or world trends have influenced you directly or indirectly?
Paper 2:
What do you think is the most important issue of crime or deviance facing the United States?In the paper please
describe what the issue is, why you think is important, and briefly how sociology can help us understand the issue. This
paper should be 1 to 2 pages long (25 points).
Mock Trial and Paper 3:
On Monday March 28 we are going on a field Trip to The federal Courthouse in Salt Lake City to participate in a mock
trial.The mock trial starts at 6:00pm and typically finished at by 8:30. We will be driving BYU vans to and from the
trial.
On Monday, March 28th you are required to be jurors in mock criminal trials presented by BYU law students.
Those that are driving in the BYU vans need to be ready to leave the motor pool by 4:30 p.m. The trials will be
held at the federal courthouse at 350 S Main, Salt Lake City. Please arrive by 5:30 p.m. so you have time to check
through security and find your assigned courtroom by 5:45 p.m. The judge presiding in your courtroom will give you
instructions. After participating as a juror in the mock trial, write a 2-4 page paper (50 points) in which you do the
following:
1. Describe the key facts of the case.
2. State the jury’s decision and explain their reason for the decision.
3. Evaluate the court system from your experience.
4. Explain what you learned from your experience
Paper 4 Research Paper:
The final paper is to be a research paper on your choice of deviant topic. This paper will be worth approximately 125
points, should be 8-10 pages in length, and you should use the American Sociological Association (ASA; a derivative
of APA), or American Psychological Association (APA) style. Improperly prepared papers will be docked points. This
final paper assignment is intended to get you into the professional Sociology and criminology literature. Thus, the
worldwide-web (i.e. non-peer reviewed journals), newspapers, and magazines (including Psychology Today, Time, and
the Ensign) cannot be used for this assignment. Instead use professional journals articles (peer reviewed articles);
several of these journals are listed at the end of the syllabus and will be posted on Blackboard. If you feel a need to use
a popular press article you will have to write a one page paper justifying its use. You may use articles cited in the text,
but you should also read and include articles that are not discussed there. At least some of the articles must be recent
articles, published within the last few years (2007-2010). Your final paper should include a minimum of 8 peer
reviewed articles. Note minimum work is not 'A' or even 'B' level work. In order to receive an ‘A’ your paper must
have a clear thesis statement, be well thought out, well organized, and have at least 15 peer reviewed articles.
This is a research paper. Pick a topic within crime and deviance that you want to learn more about. Write a research
question and then search the sociological literature to see what we know and do not know on the topic (the literature
review will be the bulk of your research paper). Then based on what we know and do not know on your topic discuss
what further research should be done in order to further our understanding or what social policies should be
implemented. Use the article by White (2005) as guide to your final research paper. The paper is due in class
Wednesday 12/1 and should be about 8-10 pages (of text) and should included the following:
 Title page – title, name & affiliation
 Abstract (100 words or less)
 Paper (intro, lit review, discussion and references). This portion of the paper should be around 8 pages.
Peer Review of Research Paper:
This final paper is to be peer-reviewed. There are 2 ways to receive the 25 points for peer review. The first is to take
your paper to FHSS’s writing center and have them review it with you. Have the writing center send me a note saying
they reviewed your paper. The second way to receive the 20 points for peer review is to give your paper to at least two
other people for comments. Then write me a letter (approximately one full page) indicating how you have changed the
paper in light of the comments you received.
FHSS Writing Lab: To get help with your paper’s organization, structure, focus, tone, and documentation style, you
can go to the FHSS Writing Lab in 1051 JFSB to meet one-on-one with a peer advisor. All advisors are students from
our college and are trained in APA and ASA. To prepare for a tutorial, take:
 a copy of the assignment
 a hard copy of your draft, whatever stage it may be in
 a list of questions and concerns you have about your paper
Drop in or make an appointment: Monday through Friday 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
For more information, go to http://fhsswriting.byu.edu or email: fhss-writinglab@byu.edu
Reading Journal of Weekly Written Response (100 point for 12 Responses):
The purpose of the weekly reading responses is to encourage students to read the assigned chapters before coming to
class. This will facilitate class discussion and participation. Responses do not have to be long (approximately ½ to one
page) and should demonstrate that you have read the assigned material. Do not simply summarize the information in
the chapter; rather, focus on the points in the chapter that interested you most and explain why they interest you. (Some
questions you might consider when writing your responses are: Do I agree with the conclusions in the chapter? What
are the implications of the theories presented? How do the ideas in the chapter relate to observations and experiences
from my own life? Do the theories help provide an explanation for current world events?) You will turn in your
responses in the form of a journal the week after exam one and the last day of class.
Assignment Point Breakdown
Assignments
Points
Total Points
750
Paper 1
25
Exam 1
200
Exam 2
200
Paper 2
25
Paper 3 and Mock Trial
50
Paper 4
125
Peer Review of Paper 4
25
Journal of Weekly Critiques
100
Grade Breakdown
A
94-100
B-
80-83
D+
67-69
A-
90-93
C+
77-79
D
64-66
B+
87-89
C
74-76
D-
60-63
B
84-86
C-
70-73
E
59 and lower
Library Information
Librarian Information
Name: Barbaraella Frazier
Office: 1222 HBLL
Phone number: 422-6346
Email: b_frazier@byu.edu
Reference Desk Information
Name: Social Sciences / Education
Phone number: 422-6228
Hours: M-Th : 8am-9pm; F: 8am-6pm; Sat: 10am-6pm
Department Research Information
https://wrlab.lib.byu.edu/
E-reserve Information
http://www.lib.byu.edu/reserve.html
University Policies
BYU Honor Code
In keeping with the principles of the BYU Honor Code, students are expected to be honest in all of their academic
work. Academic honesty means, most fundamentally, that any work you present as your own must in fact be your own
work and not that of another. Violations of this principle may result in a failing grade in the course and additional
disciplinary action by the university. Students are also expected to adhere to the Dress and Grooming Standards.
Adherence demonstrates respect for yourself and others and ensures an effective learning and working environment. It
is the university's expectation, and my own expectation in class, that each student will abide by all Honor Code
standards. Please call the Honor Code Office at 422-2847 if you have questions about those standards.
Preventing Sexual Discrimination and Harassment
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination against any participant in an educational
program or activity that receives federal funds. The act is intended to eliminate sex discrimination in education. Title
IX covers discrimination in programs, admissions, activities, and student-to-student sexual harassment. BYU's policy
against sexual harassment extends not only to employees of the university, but to students as well. If you encounter
unlawful sexual harassment or gender-based discrimination, please talk to your professor; contact the Equal
Employment Office at 422-5895 or 367-5689 (24-hours); or contact the Honor Code Office at 422-2847.
Students with Disabilities
Brigham Young University is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere that reasonably
accommodates qualified persons with disabilities. If you have any disability which may impair your ability to complete
this course successfully, please contact the Services for Students with Disabilities Office (422-2767). Reasonable
academic accommodations are reviewed for all students who have qualified, documented disabilities. Services are
coordinated with the student and instructor by the SSD Office. If you need assistance or if you feel you have been
unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of disability, you may seek resolution through established grievance
policy and procedures by contacting the Equal Employment Office at 422-5895, D-285 ASB.
Course Schedule
Date Export
Topics Export
Assignments Export
1/6
Introduction & Sociological
Imagination
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1/13
Theory & Methods
Deviant Behavior Chapter 1, 2 & 3; The article “Introducing
Students to the Concept of the Sociological Imagination"
1/17 Monday
Martin Luther King Jr.
No classes
1/18
Theory, & Terrorism
The articles The articles “Sociology of Terrorism"; “The Mind of
the Terrorist: A Review and Critique of Psychological Approaches”;
“An Analytical History of Terrorism, 1945-2000,”; & “Some Roots
of Terrorism” Paper 1 Due
Paper 1 due
The articles “International Terrorism and the World-System,”
“Explaining Terrorism: The Contribution of Collective Action
Theory,” & “The Geometry of Terrorism,”
1/20
Terrorism
1/27
Underprivileged Deviancy
2/3
Physical Violence
2/10
Sexual Deviance
Deviant Behavior Chapter 5, 9 & pages 392-396 of Chapter 15
2/15
Writing a Research paper &
Midterm Review
White 2005 & pages 29-40 of A Brief Guide to Writing
2/17
Family Violence
Deviant Behavior Chapter 6 & The article “Parental Conflict and
Marital Disruption”
2/21 Monday
Presidents Day
No classes
2/24
Suicide and Mental Disorders
Deviant Behavior Chapter 7 & 8 and the article “An ecological
approach to child clinical and counseling psychology”
3/3
Substance Use
Deviant Behavior Chapter 11 & 12
3/10
No class this Week PSA Conference
Work on you research papers
3/17
White Collar Crime
Deviant Behavior Chapter 13
3/24
White Collar Crime
3/28
Monday
Monday Mock Trial
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3/31
No class Because of Mock
Trial
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4/7
Internet Deviance and Review
for Final
Deviant Behavior Chapter 15 Note we will discuss pages 392-396
during the week on sexual deviance. Paper 3 Due
4/14 & 15
Exam Preparation Days
No class
4/16 Finals
Final Exam in testing center
- You may take the final anytime during finals week
4/21
Finals end today
- Make sure you have taken the exam by today
Deviant Behavior Chapter 14 and the articles “Chapter 6 of the
OSLC APA book” & “Friendships in Childhood and Adolescence
The Life Course and New Directions”
Paper 2 due
Deviant Behavior Chapter 4 and the article “A Family Process
Model of Economic Hardship and Adjustment of Early Adolescent
Boys”
The article “Can general strain theory explain white-collar crime? A
preliminary investigation of the relationship between strain and
select white-collar offenses” Paper 4 Due