Sociology 380
Summer Semester 2011
Instructor: Bert Burraston, PhD
Office: 2035 JFSB
Office Hours: Tue and Thu at 2:45-3:45
Office Phone: 801 422-1692
Email: bert_burraston@byu.edu
Course Information
Course Materials
Required
Deviant Behavior (10th Edition)
By Alex Thio
ISBN: 9780205693238
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:
 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).
Paper 3 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 include 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 25 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
700
Paper 1
25
Paper 2
25
Paper 3
125
Peer Review of Paper 4
25
Exam 1
200
Exam 2
200
Journal of Weekly Critiques
100
Grade Breakdown
A
AB+
B
94-100%
90-93
87-89
84-86
BC+
C
C-
80-83
77-79
74-76
70-73
Library 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
D+
D
DE
67-69
64-66
60-63
59 and lower
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 4225895 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.
Sociology 380 Winter 2011: Course Schedule
Date
Topics
Assignments
6/21
Introduction & Sociological Imagination
6/23
Theory & Methods
The article “Introducing Students to the Concept of the Sociological
Imagination"
Deviant Behavior Chapter 1, 2 & 3
6/28-30
Theory, & Terrorism
The articles The articles “Sociology of Terrorism," “The Mind of
the Terrorist: A Review and Critique of Psychological Approaches,”
“Some Roots of Terrorism” & “The Geometry of Terrorism,” Paper
1 Due 6/30
Underprivileged Deviancy
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
7/7
Physical Violence
Deviant Behavior Chapter 4 and the article “A Family Process
Model of Economic Hardship and Adjustment of Early Adolescent
Boys”
7/12
Sexual Deviance; Exam 1 in
testing center 7/12-19
Deviant Behavior Chapter 5, 9 & pages 392-396 of Chapter 15
7/14
Writing a Research paper
White 2005 & pages 29-40 of A Brief Guide to Writing
7/19
Family Violence
Deviant Behavior Chapter 6 & The article “Parental Conflict and
Marital Disruption”
7/21
Substance Use
Deviant Behavior Chapter 11 & 12
7/26-28
White Collar Crime
Deviant Behavior Chapter 13and the article “Can general strain
theory explain white-collar crime? A preliminary investigation of the
relationship between strain and select white-collar offenses”
8/2-4
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
8/9
Exam Preparation Days
No class
8/10-11
Finals
Final Exam in testing center
NOTE: The Testing center closes at 2:00 pm 8/11 so you have to
be finished by that time!
7/5