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Course Information
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Course Description:
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Deviance is a diverse and controversial concept, which is of great
importance to society and individuals. Using primarily a sociological
perspective this course will explore definitions of deviance, theoretical
perspectives, which attempt to explain deviance, and how deviance is
organized and managed. The course will take a social constructionist and interactionist perspective looking at the processes that
create and control deviance. Contemporary forms of deviance will also be
analyzed and discussed. We will have class meetings on Mondays and
Wednesdays, but not Fridays. You will
have Friday’s off to compensate for your work on online assignments, quizzes,
and discussions.
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Course Objectives:
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1. Expose students to the various perspectives on how
deviance is defined and constructed.
2. Expose students to the major theoretical perspectives that have been
used to analyze and explain deviant behavior.
3. Explore contemporary forms of deviance, and how society attempts to
manage and control them.
4. Broaden the perspectives of
students regarding deviance, social order, and social control.
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Prerequisites and Corequisites:
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Sociology 1010: Introduction to
Sociology
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Course Topics:
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1. Definitions, Social
Construction, and Measurement
2. Deviant Events and Social Control
3. Anomie and Conflict Theories
4. Labeling, Control, and Learning Theories
5. Interpersonal Violence
6. Nonviolent Crime
7. White-Collar and Corporate Crime
8. Drugs and Alcohol
9. Sexual Deviance
10. Mental Illness
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Specific Course Requirements:
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The student must have a
basic knowledge of computers, the Internet, and email. The student's computer
must have Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat reader
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Textbooks, Supplementary
Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements
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Required Textbooks:
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Sociology of Deviant Behavior 13th Edition
Marshall B. Clinard, Robert F. Meier
Wadsworth Publishing
ISBN: 0-15-506569-6
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Assessment and Grading
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Testing Procedures:
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The
course is divided into five modules. Students must take 5 timed online
quizzes based on the text book and other readings, and a final exam based on
lectures.
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Grading Procedure:
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The grade will be based on quiz
scores, assignments, attendance, discussions, group project, and the final
exam.
No one part of the course will constitute a large portion of the final grade,
but work must consistently be done in
a conscientious and accomplished manner in order for the student to receive
an A or a B.
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Grading Scale:
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Grading: Quizzes 20%,
Assignments 15%, Group Project 20%,
Final Exam 25%, 10:30 - 12:30 Thursday, May 1,
Discussions 10%, Attendance 10%
90-100 A
80-89 B
70-79 C
60-69 D
00-59 F
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Assignments and Participation
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Assignments and Projects:
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1. There is an online assignment
for each module.
2. There is a written and oral
presentation group project.
3. If you
are taking this course for graduate credit (Soc 5510) you must also do an in
depth paper on
either a sociological theory of deviance or a particular type of
deviance. The paper can be based on
library and web research, or empirical research on some aspects of deviance
or deviants. The paper should be at
least 4000 words in length excluding references.
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Class Participation
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Students are expected to take part in online discussions.
There will be five online
discussion topics each of these lasting about three weeks. Students are
expected to make 3-4 posts each week and read the posts of others. Grading of the discussion participation
will be based on the quality and quantity of posts, spacing of posts and
reading the posts of others. .
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Discussion Groups:
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- Review the discussion threads
thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker then a
discussant.
- Try to maintain threads by
using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
- Do not make insulting or
inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be
respectful of other’s ideas.
- Be patient and read the
comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
- Be cooperative with group
leaders in completing assigned tasks.
- Be positive and
constructive in group discussions.
- Respond in a thoughtful and
timely manner.
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Students With Disabilities
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Qualified
students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic
accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff.
Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor
must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific
accommodations from the disability services staff. It is the student's
responsibility to initiate contact with disability services staff and to
follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to
the instructor.
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