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SYLLABUS
DR. ALLISON FOLEY, Ph.D.
SOCIAL DEVIANCE
Sociology/Criminal Justice 3330
TR 5:30-6:45pm Allgood N233
DR. FOLEY’S CONTACT INFORMATION:
Email: ajfoley@gru.edu
In person: Office – Allgood Hall Room N229
Office Hours: T 4-5:15 and by appointment
Phone:
Electronic office hours W 12-3 and F 10-12
706-667-4578 (direct line)
706-737-1735 (To leave message with the sociology office – please only use this method as a last resort. It is generally the least efficient way to contact me. Email and office hours are the best.)
REQUIRED READING
1.) Adler, P., & Adler, P. (2012). Constructions of Deviance. 7th Edition.
***If you do not purchase this text in the ASU Bookstore, I advise you to get the 7 th
edition. This edition has material, required for this class, which does NOT appear in older versions. I will not give you permission to purchase an earlier version; if you do so, you do so at your own risk. You will have to take the responsibility to borrow the proper edition and make copies of the chapters that are assigned that are not in your version.***
2.) Venkatesh, Sudhir. (2008). Gang Leader for a Day: A Rogue Sociologist Takes to the Streets.
3.) On occasion, and as you can see on the Course Calendar at the end of the syllabus, additional readings will be assigned to supplement the text. These readings will be provided for you electronically and, when possible, in hard copy format.
ACCESSING COURSE MATERIALS ONLINE
A variety of course materials will be posted in Desire2Learn. These materials include slides, readings that are not in the required texts, study guides, and the like. Always remember that ITS, and not me, handles issues with accessing the online system. If you cannot pull up a reading or a copy of the slides, always try another browser or another computer, restart the computer, or update the computer’s version of Adobe Reader.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
"…deviance is not a quality of the act the person commits, but rather a consequence of the application by others of rules and sanctions to an
'offender.' The deviant is one to whom that label has successfully been applied; deviant behavior is behavior that people so label" (Howard S. Becker in Outsiders , 1963:9).

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The above quotation represents one of many possible ways to understand the concept of deviance. The overall goal of this course is to introduce you to and explore the concept of deviance, the methods by which sociologists learn about it, its theoretical underpinnings, and its causes and consequences. We will ask ourselves, “What constitutes deviance? How can we define it? Why do we define it in this way? Who defines it? Why does it exist? What are the consequences of deviance?” It will be easy to fall into discussions of criminal behavior but remember that this (the violation of law) is only one type of deviance. While discussions of criminal behavior are certainly important and relevant, we cannot understand the violation of law without first, or simultaneously, understanding the violation of norms. As such, we will focus more so on understanding the power of norms in governing (or controlling) people and their behavior, beliefs, lifestyles, and identities.
To do this, we will examine the concepts of social power and social order and study how these factors influence the definition and regulation of deviant behavior as well as the lives and identities of deviant persons. We will see how groups of people utilize social power to create and shape definitions of what is normal and what is deviant, thus creating and maintaining their idea of the proper social order – a social order that perpetuates their powerful status. We will also see how these groups come to place the label of “deviant” onto individuals or groups and we will examine the consequences of such labeling on individuals and groups. It is important to remember that we are starting our examination of deviance with that which has already been defined by society as deviant. This is not to suggest that everything we study SHOULD be defined as deviant; it means that, historically, it has been . We can, will and should deconstruct and challenge these definitions. Keep an open mind!
GENERAL COURSE EXPECTATIONS:
1. BE RESPECTFUL TO YOUR PROFESSOR AND TO YOUR FELLOW STUDENTS. This is required in order to receive full participation/engagement points for this course. To determine part of your grade in this area, I will consider your adherence to the following rules, which appear in order of significance on your grade.

Be on time to class. Stay alert, attentive, and IN THE CLASSROOM until you are dismissed. Do not leave early without permission. Repeated early departures will have a significant impact on your grade if they are not excused with documentation (see Late
Policy for definitions of “excused” and “documentation”).

Turn off your phones and do not use them during class.
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Do not be disruptive when anyone else is speaking. No whispering, no side conversations, no speaking “on top” of another person.
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Disagree respectfully. Do not criticize or make hateful comments to anyone else in the classroom. There is a respectful way to disagree with people and I expect you to work on this throughout the semester.
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Do not dominate conversation – I want to hear from everyone in the classroom, and so does everyone else.
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Laptops in the back row and sides of the classroom only.
Consistent deviation from these policies will result in expulsion from the classroom.
2. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CLASS MATERIAL BY:

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Completing the Assigned Reading Before Class.
I prefer an interactive classroom and like to ask questions. Some questions will be general and not specifically related to the course readings, but others will be based on the readings. If you don’t complete the reading, it will be difficult for you to make positive contributions to our class discussions and your grade will suffer.
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Attending Class.
I don’t take attendance. There are many reasons for this. It should be sufficient here to state that I expect more from you than showing up. If you don’t attend, you can’t participate in discussion, complete in-class assignments, ask questions about the course material, or watch the films we watch in class, and your grade will suffer.

Taking the Initiative to Obtain the Materials/Assignments You Missed if You Were
Absent.
It is YOUR responsibility to find out what you missed in class but it is not my responsibility to track you down if you miss in-class assignments. You must contact me, or another student, to find out what you missed and the best way to do this is to come to office hours. Lecture slides will be made available via WebCT, but I post slides primarily to assist you in your note taking. The slides are not a sufficient substitute for being in class.
3. DO YOUR OWN WORK AND DO NOT PLAGIARIZE!
 Plagiarism is defined as “using the ideas or writings of another as one’s own,” according tothe ASU student handbook. Plagiarism is also:
 T urning in a paper purchased or otherwise acquired from “paper mills” and the like.
 Turning in another student's work with or without that student's knowledge.
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Copying any part of your paper from a source without proper in-text citations.
 Paraphrasing materials from a source without proper in-text citations.
Copying materials from a source text, supplying acknowledgement through in-text citations, BUT LEAVING OUT QUOTATION MARKS.
The goal of learning is not simply to memorize what other people had to say about something but to be able to make your own connections between the ideas/writings of two or more scholars/topics. You need to be able summarize what a scholar had to say and/or summarize what is known about a particular field/topic, but you usually need to bring your own voice and perspective into the assignment/paper as well. When you utilize a concept that another person came up with, you must cite that person so that it is clear whose ideas are whose. This also allows you to demonstrate that you understand not just what a term/idea/theory/etc means but why it is meaningful for society as a whole.
When you write, balance your own words with the words of your sources.
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For more information on this issue, there are examples of inappropriate writing and appropriate, original writing on the Sociology Department’s website: http://www.aug.edu/sociology/plagiarism.html
-- It is a good resource, so use it! You should also consult the “Avoiding Plagiarism” page on this website: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/ -- it also contains great information on how to citations,
APA format, and grammar and punctuation, etc.

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In addition to the code of conduct outlined by me, you are required read and adhere to the mandates of the honor code as outlined in your student handbook (find it here: http://www.aug.edu/student_activities/docs/handbook.pdf
).
COURSE GRADING POLICIES
LATE POLICY: I do accept some forms of late work, sometimes for full credit. If you foresee yourself unable to complete work by the deadline, please read the following policies carefully to determine your best course of action.
1.) I do not give full credit for late work unless you provide DOCUMENTATION of a
LEGITIMATE EXCUSE for your absence/inability to complete your work on time.

Legitimate excuses include: illnesses, hospitalizations, observance of religious holidays, university-related absences (due to sports travel, etc.), and work or family emergencies.
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Documentation includes: A note from a doctor, a religious leader, a coach, a supervisor/boss, a family member (or funeral program or announcement in the newspaper), etc.
2.) An assignment is considered late if I receive it either a) after the due date OR b) on the due date, but after I have collected the assignments from the rest of the students IN
CLASS.
3.) If I receive your late work but do not receive documentation of a legitimate excuse, half a letter grade will be deducted from your final score for each day it is late. This equates to a
5% deduction per day. If you turn your work in on the same day that it was due, but after
I collected the assignments from other students in class, you will receive a 5% deduction.
If you turn it in the day after the due date, you will receive a 10% deduction, etc.
4.) I WILL NOT GRADE YOUR ASSIGNMENT IF IT IS OVER 5 DAYS LATE unless you notified me ahead of time about your situation AND ALSO rescheduled the due date with me IN WRITING/ELECTRONICALLY. Please keep in touch with me, or have a friend/family member do so for you.
COMPONENTS OF YOUR GRADE (335 points total):
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EXAMS: There will be a midterm and a final exam. Both are worth 100 points. The majority of questions are multiple choice. Some are fill in the blank with a word bank. At my discretion, I may write part of the theory assignment (so, essays) into an exam or write in one or two short answer questions.
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NORM VIOLATION PAPER: This paper will be worth 50 points and you have two options to choose from – refer to the end of your syllabus for details. You must submit a hard copy of your paper.
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CLASS ASSIGNMENTS, ENGAGEMENT AND PARTICIPATION: 85 PTS

5 o THEORY ASSIGNMENT: You will complete a written assignment during our theory unit. It will be worth 50 points total and will consist of a set of essay questions. You must submit a hard copy of this assignment. o CLASS ASSIGNMENTS and ENGAGEMENT AND PARTICIPATION: You will also complete several other assignments that, along with Engagement and Participation points, will be worth a total of 35 points. Some assignments are listed on the Course Calendar below. There will also be 3-4 short quizzes over Gang Leader. I will drop the lowest of the Gang Leader quiz scores. o ENGAGEMENT AND PARTICIPATION: The remaining points will be awarded based on the extent to which students follow the course expectations outlined earlier in this syllabus, the level of detail and depth the student demonstrates in assigned response papers, and the extent to which students participate in discussion and demonstrate their engagement in the course through other means. In other words, you do not have to share your thoughts and questions or answer questions in class in order to show that you are thinking about the course material and doing your readings. You can take time to write out your thoughts on some of the material and hand it in to me (this is essentially like doing extra reading reflection papers on your own time) and/or alerting me to news stories or entertainment media that relate to our course.
GRADING SCALE:
A: 299 to 335 points
B: 267 to 298 points
C: 233 to 266 points
D: 200 to 232 points
F: 199 points and fewer
Additionally, Incompletes will not be given to students who do not complete any coursework. If you need/want to withdraw before the midterm deadline, feel free to do so – you need to initiate those proceedings, however. After the deadline, per university policies, you will not be able to withdraw unless you have completed some coursework and unless you have extenuating circumstances. That means you will have to come talk to me about your situation. While I understand it might be uncomfortable to do so, please know that you need only say what you are comfortable saying and do not need to be detailed. A letter from a family member or something similar could also help explain your circumstances. Please also consider that this could be the difference between an F and a W.
GRADE DISPUTES: Please keep all returned work in the event that you have a grade dispute at the end of the semester.

August 20:
COURSE CALENDAR
(Subject To Slight Change At My Discretion)
Topic: Introduction
UNIT 1: What is Deviance?
August 22: Topic: Norms and the Sociology of Deviance
Reading: General Intro pg 1-10, Intro to Part 1 (pg 11-15) & AND
Fish’s NYTimes Column (On Desire2Learn or accessible here: fish.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/01/norms-anddeviations-whos-to-say/ )
August 27: Topic: Perspectives on Defining Deviance
Reading: Schafer & Zellner Article on Gypsies (Desire2Learn)
August 29: Topic: Norms and the Sociology of Deviance, continued
Reading: Ch. 2 in Adler & Adler
Sept 3: Topic: Perspectives on Defining Deviance continued
Reading: Finish Ch 2 and start Ch 3 in Adler & Adler
OTHER: UNIT 1 ASSIGNMENT DUE TODAY – Find it on
Desire2Learn
Sept 5: Topic: Perspectives on Defining Deviance continued
Reading: Finish Ch 3 and start Ch. 5 in Adler & Adler
UNIT 2: Researching Deviance
Sept 10: Topic: Surveys and Official Reports
Reading: Intro to Part III and Ch 12 in A&A
Sept 12: Topic: Ethnographic Methods
Reading: Chapter 14 in A&A
AND Chapter 1 in Venkatesh’s Gang Leader for a Day
OTHER: UNIT 2 ASSIGNMENT DUE TODAY – Find it on
Desire2Learn
UNIT 3: Constructing Deviance
Sept 17: Topic: Moral Entrepreneurial Campaigns
Reading: Intro to Part IV in A&A
OTHER: FILM!
Sept 19: Topic: Drug Scares
Reading: Ch 15 in A&A
Sept 24: Topic: Drug Scares continued
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Sept 26: Topic: Moral Panics
Reading: Ch 17 in A&A AND DeYoung Article Online
Oct 1: Topic: Social Power and Labeling
Reading: Anderson article (Online) and Chs 20 & 21 in A&A
Reading: Chapter 2 in Gang Leader
Oct 3:
Oct 8:
Catch Up Day
MIDTERM
Reading: Chapter 3 in Gang Leader
UNIT 4: Theories of Deviance
Oct 10: OTHER: FILM!
Reading: Ch 4 in Gang Leader
Oct 15: OTHER: FILM!
Reading: Ch 5 in Gang Leader
Oct 17: Topic: Structural Theories: Functionalism
Reading: Intro to Part II in A&A; Ch 1 & 6 in A&A
Oct 22:
Oct 24:
Topic: Structural Theories: Strain AND Cultural Perspectives
Reading: Intro to Part II in A&A; Ch 7 in A&A
Topic: General Strain Theory
Reading: Agnew Article (Desire2Learn)
Oct 29: Topic: Interactionist Theories
Reading: Ch 8 in A&A and Becker Article (Desire2Learn)
Oct 31: Catch Up
November 5: Topic: Social Organization of Deviance and Case Studies
Reading: Intro to Part VI and Chapters 32, 33 in A&A
AND TBD Reading on Punk Rock (Online)
November 7: Topic: Social Organization continued…
OTHER: THEORY ASSIGNMENT DUE TODAY – Find it on
Desire2Learn
UNIT 5: The Deviant Career
November 12: Topic: Identity Development and Stigma Management
Reading: Intro to Part V and Chapter 6 in Gang Leader for a Days
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November 14: Topic: Identity Development
Reading: Chapters 23, 24, 25 in A&A
November 19: Topic: Stigma Management: Accounts
Readings: Ch 26 and 27 in A&A AND Ch 7 in Gang Leader
November 21: No Class Today – I will be attending the annual American Society of
Criminology conference in Atlanta
November 26: Topic: Stigma Management continued…
Readings: Ch 28 & 30 in A&A
November 28: NO CLASS TODAY – University Closed – HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
December 3: Topic: Exiting Deviance
Reading: Ch 46 in A&A AND Ch 8 in Venkatesh
December 5: Topic: Exiting Deviance
FINAL EXAM TIME: Wednesday, December 11 th 6:00pm to 8:00pm in our regular classroom
Reading: Ch 47 in A&A
OTHER: NORM VIOLATION PAPER DUE!

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NORM VIOLATION PAPER PROMPT
Option 1: Testing a Middle Class Norm
For this paper, students will engage in three acts of deviance and analyze the reactions of others to these acts. The point of this assignment is to get out there and VIOLATE NORMS by either overconforming to expectations or underconforming/nonconformity. Attempts at overconformity and acts that take place in truly public spaces (Walmart is NOT public space) are strongly encouraged.
(NOTE: YOU MUST NOT ENGAGE IN ILLEGAL BEHAVIOR. YOU MUST NOT VIOLATE
THE POLICIES OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS. YOU MUST NOT VIOLATE THE
STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT. YOU MUST NOT DISRUPT A CLASS OR VIOLATE
POLICIES OUTLINED IN COURSE SYLLABI. ALSO, MY CLASS IS TOTALLY OFF LIMITS.)
To complete and report on this assignment, you should:
(1) PERFORM 3 ACTS that are designed to test ONE of the TEN Middle Class Norms.
(2) Aside from being a requirement for this paper, describe your motivation for choosing each of the acts (e.g., you could perform many acts and have ten norms to choose from: why did you choose those three?)
(3) Describe these experiences in full, as though you were journaling about them. Discuss when you performed the act at you did, where you were and who you were with, how you felt while doing it, and—here’s the key—the reactions of others to your acts.
(4) Identify and describe the norm you were testing in full and whether you violated any other of the Ten Middle Class Norms in addition. Given this, identify and describe the type of deviance you participated in, according to Heckert & Heckert’s typology in
Chapter 2.
(5) Identify how one other perspective (the normativist perspective, above, is the first) on defining deviance (from Unit 1) would explain the reactions you received and why your behavior is considered deviant. Then identify which perspective provides the best or most complete explanation and describe why this is so. In this discussion, be sure to identify those theoretical perspectives clearly, describe the arguments they make in your own words, and then apply those arguments to explain the deviance in your acts.
(6) Conclude by discussing what your experience tells you about the importance/relevance of the norm you intended to violate and the importance of norms and/or deviance for society in general.
Assignment Submission Guidelines: Papers must be typed in 12 pt font, be double spaced, have standard 1” margins, and be PROOFED AND SPELL CHECKED! Please, please proof read and spell check! Take your paper to the writing center on campus if need be. The final product should be about 5-6 pages. WHEN YOU REFERENCE COURSE MATERIAL YOU MUST
CITE THE AUTHORS OF THE CHAPTERS USING APA STYLE IN-TEXT CITATIONS.
You do not need to include an abstract or a reference/works cited page.

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Option 2: My Deviant Career
For this option, students will analyze their own histories of deviant behavior! (I can assure you that I will keep any information you tell me as confidential as I possibly can – just do not tell me about any plans you have to commit serious/violent crimes as I am required to report this.) The goal of this paper is to choose one way in which you are deviant and discuss that in full, rather than discussing three different ways you might deviate from social norms. You should not talk about one specific act, however, unless you are absolutely certain you have a lot to write about. The best papers are those which analyze your deviant IDENTITY, not a deviant behavior.
If you aren’t sure if you have a deviant identity, ask yourself if you feel or felt stigmatized and labeled – like you were different in a negative way and like you had to hide parts of yourself from others – if so, you have a deviant identity. If not, you’re either incredibly good at deflecting your stigma and rationalizing your behavior, or you don’t have a deviant identity.
Here is how you should write about this:
(1) Describe the deviance generally as an introduction. In other words, how are or were you deviant? Make references to other course readings when relevant. You need to talk about identity development and stigma management AND tie this discussion to the course concepts that are presented and discussed in the readings related to identity development and stigma management.
(2) Apply Tittle & Paternoster’s 10 Middle Class Norms and Heckert & Heckert’s typology to your deviance. Obviously, to do this you will have to identify and describe a) the norms you violated, b) how other people evaluated you, and c) where you fall in Heckert & Heckert’s typology.
(3) Discuss how one theoretical perspective on defining deviance (from Unit 1) OR one of the specific theories of deviance (from Unit 2) would explain your deviance. You should also discuss whether this theory provides a full explanation of your deviance – how well suited is it to explain your deviance? This is your chance to critique or defend the validity and overall usefulness of the theory. In doing this, you should discuss the strengths and weaknesses of it.
(4) Conclude by discussing what your self-analysis tells you about the importance/relevance of deviance for both you and society more generally.
Assignment Submission Guidelines for Both Papers: Papers must be typed in 12 pt font, be double spaced, have standard 1” margins, and be PROOF READ AND SPELL CHECKED!
Please, please proof read and spell check! Take your paper to the writing center on campus if need be. The final product should be about 5-6 pages. WHEN YOU REFERENCE COURSE
MATERIAL YOU MUST CITE THE AUTHORS OF THE CHAPTERS USING APA STYLE
IN-TEXT CITATIONS. You do not need to include an abstract or a bibliography.