Sociology 1004, Sociology of Deviance                                                          Fall 2006

 

Instructor: Paul Harvey, M.A.

Paul.Harvey@colorado.edu

(970) 663-9065

 

Class Hours: MWF 9:00 - 9:50, Humanities 1B80

Office Hours: MW 10:00 – 11:30, 409 Ketchum

 

Required Text

 

Constructions of Deviance, Custom Ed., Adler and Adler

ISBN 0-495-21491-4

 

Course Objectives

 

In this course we will conduct a survey and analysis of deviant social groups; who and what defines them as deviant, how they deal with that label/status, and why society in general has a need for deviance and deviants.  The sociological approach used to examine deviance and those who participate in it will be eclectic, but will rely heavily on a social constructionist perspective.  In a dry academic sense, we will attempt to examine deviance in modern US society.  There is no ONE way to perform sociology, as each attempt to study society carries with it its own pedagogy, that is to say that every sociologist approaches society with different perspectives, knowledge, and theories.  Understanding some of the theoretical approaches to deviance, how people create and perpetuate deviant social groups and social institutions, and finally how we can conduct social change and understanding regarding deviance are the central themes of this class.  The central pillar to learning, understanding, and applying this material will be the sociological concept of perspective.  By providing an opportunity for you to acquire a working knowledge of the varied perspectives and viewpoints of deviance at the societal, cultural, and individual level I hope that you, the student, will better understand the choices and values in all societies.  At the same time I hope that you can provide for me a venue to continue to learn about the people in our society today.

 

This course is designed to teach you sociological concepts that will confront the way you think, challenge you to understand, and defend, society from multiple viewpoints, and to understand what happens when ideas, institutions, and actions are viewed from different perspectives.  This process will probably be annoying at some point and offensive at others.  When we challenge our viewpoints at their very foundation, the core of our value system is shaken.  For many people this is disturbing and scary.  That’s ok.  The classroom environment for this course will be one of challenging the idea, not the individual; therefore all individuals are safe from ridicule and scorn, ideas are going to be challenged for support not content.  By integrating common themes from your lives and asking you to test commonly held assumptions, learning sociology will be taken to a new level, beyond rote knowledge becoming useful, applicable study.  Hopefully, this will also stimulate further interest in the subject matter.

 

Course Requirements

 

This course will have a total of four grading elements composed of two factors: one component will be an in class project and the other will be three (3) In-Class Exams.  Each element will be worth an equal portion, 33 points, towards your final grade.  A portion of the project grade may involve class participation or demonstration of the concepts of sociological conflict.  Of these four (4) total elements, the lowest score will be dropped, and the remaining five will comprise the final grade of 100 points.

 

The In-Class Exams will be modified essay questions.  This format will be detailed later, with examples and copious amounts of help.  The material covered in the book, in any assigned readings, and in lecture is testable material. The daily discussions will cover the material that is the assigned reading for the day and the lecture material. If you miss class you miss the opportunity to participate in lecture and to gather those notes and it may be detrimental to your grade.  If you miss an exam, or are absent the day of an exam, you will not be allowed to make up the exam at no other time.  I do not make allowances for missing exams; if you have any unusual circumstances happen to you and it causes you to miss an exam, please come see me and together we can go before the Dept Chair to discuss your options.

 

The Final Exam is not cumulative.  Each exam will cover material from either the start of class or the previous exam. 

 

The Final Exam is on Wednesday, Dec. 20th, at 7:30am.  Please note that this is not at normal class time, but it is in the normal class location.

 

The In-Class assignment is a short presentation of an article that you will find and complete a short worksheet on.  The presentation itself is basically a short question and answer session straight off of the presentation worksheet and will not require any formal attire or speech.  I want you to contribute your ideas in a meaningful, structured way, but this isn’t a speech class so I don’t expect the next Gettysburg Address.

 

You are responsible for all of the requirements in this syllabus.  Any changes to this syllabus will be announced during classes.

 

 

Class Participation

 

Typically, in this class, the material generates enough interest to elicit responses and discussion.  If the class, as a whole, is not participating on a routine basis, I reserve the right to add a Participation element to your grade.  I will of course notify you, in class, if this comes to pass, please make every effort to keep this out of the grading rubric.  Your education is one of the few things that can NEVER stripped from you, please be attentive to the fact that college is a voluntary experience and act accordingly.

 

Disabilities Statement

 

I encourage students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, leaning disabilities, head injury, ADHD, psychiatric disabilities, to discuss with me, after class or during my office hours, appropriate accommodations so that your learning needs may be met.

 

If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit to me a letter from Disability Services in a timely manner so that your needs may be addressed. Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities. (303-492-8671, Willard 322, www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices)

 

The University of Colorado abides by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 which stipulates that no student shall be denied the benefits of an education “solely by reason of a handicap.”  Disabilities covered by law include but are not limited to learning disabilities and hearing, sight, or mobility impairments.

 

Campus policy states that faculty must make reasonable accommodation for students’ religious observances and in so doing, be careful not to inhibit or penalize those students who are exercising their rights to religious observance. If you have any religious holidays that conflict with any portion of the class please come talk to me and we can work out a solution.

 

Honor Code

 

I highly value the mental labour that you and I both perform in this class.  I honor the time and commitment that you have put forth as a student, to earn an honest grade, and to achieve an honest accomplishment.  I expect you to honor my commitment as an instructor, the endeavor I try to accomplish, and the time I expend.  I expect us all to uphold the University Honor Code.