Queen’s University, Department of Sociology SOCIOLOGY 276: SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES IN SOCIAL DEVIANCE Winter 2015 Course Outline Location: Stirling Hall, B Time: Wednesdays 1 pm – 2:30 pm and Fridays 11:30 am – 1 pm Course Instructor: Stacey Alarie Office: D428 Mackintosh-Corry Hall Office Hours: Wednesdays 11 am – 1 pm (and by appointment) Email: [email protected] / [email protected] Course Website: https://moodle.queensu.ca Calendar Description: This course examines a variety of substantive topics in the sociology of deviance. The choice of topics will illustrate the range of theoretical approaches discussed in SOCY 275/3.0. The selection of topics will vary from semester to semester but will typically include violence, corporate crime, sexual deviance, and physical stigma. Course Description: The purpose of this course is to build on the theoretical and conceptual knowledge of deviance and social control acquired in SOCY 275. In this course, we will explore how certain attributes/behaviours are defined as deviant, the imposition of norms, values and rules, and the social consequences associated with formal and informal deviant labels. The bulk of this course will be spent considering a different case study/substantive issue in deviance and social control each week. The purpose of this is to initiate a critical discussion of social norms and what is considered ‘deviant’ conduct, explore public reaction, and examine the socio-historical context for ‘deviance.’ Substantive issues to be explored in this course include: appearance issues (i.e., beauty, body modification), mental illness, sexual deviance, substance use, violent and non-violent crimes, victimization, and informal and formal social control. Stigma, identity negotiation and theory application will be consistent themes examined throughout the course. Course Pre-requisites: SOCY 275/3.0 is a prerequisite for this course. This is to ensure that you have a foundation in theories of deviance and social control. Without this theoretical and conceptual foundation, it will be difficult to understand and critically assess the substantive issues covered and apply theoretical perspectives to the 1 deviant behaviours discussed. It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet these course requirements. Course Exclusion: If you have taken or are currently enrolled in SOCY 274, you cannot enroll in SOCY 276. Course Objectives: Broadly speaking, the purpose of this course is to expand students’ theoretical understanding of deviance to substantive topics within this field. This will be accomplished through focused case studies and reviewing empirical research in the field of deviance. The more specific course objectives are: To critically examine the conceptualization of ‘deviance’ and the various attitudes, behaviours and conditions defined as ‘deviant’ To encourage critical thought about the definition, application, and response to ‘deviance’ To apply conceptual tools and sociological theories of deviance to selected topics/case studies To examine the process involved in applying a deviant label and the impact of this identity To promote the application of critical sociological thought to an understanding of deviance in everyday life Course Readings: Tepperman, Lorne and Alex Tepperman. 2013. Deviance, Crime, and Control: Beyond the Straight and Narrow. 3rd Edition. Don Mills, ON: Oxford University Press. This book is required and is available for purchase at the Campus Bookstore. At times in the semester, we rely on journal articles that are available online through the Queen’s University Library website (the availability of all references has been confirmed by the course instructor). From time to time, we will also use Statistics Canada reports (Juristat), newspaper articles, and policy documents. Citations will be provided in lecture and, as appropriate, these will be provided as handouts or links in Moodle. Course Requirements and Evaluation: Your final grade for this course will be based on the grades you receive on the following: Test #1 (FRIDAY, JANUARY 30TH, 2015) …………………………………………25% Test #2 (FRIDAY, MARCH 6TH, 2015)…………………………………………...…25% Paper Assignment (FRIDAY, MARCH 13TH, 2015)………..………………….…...30% Test #3 (WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1ST, 2015)…………………………………………20% Tests: There are 3 tests, all scheduled to be written in-class throughout the semester. You will have approximately 80 minutes to complete each test. Each test will be either all multiple choice OR a 2 combination of multiple choice and short answer questions. You will be notified in advance of each test as to the format. More details will follow. Paper Assignment: This assignment will be due at the beginning of class on Friday, March 13th, 2015. Details regarding this assignment will be provided in lecture (including an in-class handout) and on Moodle. Please note: If any changes are made regarding the above outlined due dates (or anything else laid out in this course syllabus) you will be informed via Moodle. All changes/information provided for you in Moodle will be the most up-to-date and will, thus, take precedence over anything stated herein. In the case of any disagreement between information of different types (provided by course instructor, teaching assistant, Moodle, etc.), Moodle will be considered authoritative. Grading Policy: All components of this course will receive numerical percentage marks. The final grade you receive for the course will be derived by converting your numerical course average to a letter grade according to Queen’s Official Grade Conversion Scale: Queen’s Official Grade Conversion Scale Grade A+ A AB+ B BC+ C CD+ D DF Numerical Course Average (Range) 90-100 85-89 80-84 77-79 73-76 70-72 67-69 63-66 60-62 57-59 53-56 50-52 49 and below Late Penalty: For each day that your assignment is late, you will receive 5% off your grade for that assignment. The paper assignment is due in-class on the designated due date and will be considered late if not received during class time. In addition, a set amount of 10% will be deducted for a weekend. For example, if you submit your assignment on Saturday to the Sociology Drop Box, you will receive a 10% deduction plus any other weekday deductions accumulated after the established due date. The exception to this is in the case of a health-related absence or family emergency accompanied by official documentation. This is described in further detail below. 3 All requests for a deferral of a test or extension of the assignment will be granted only under exceptional circumstances (health-related reasons, family emergency, etc.). These requests must be accompanied by official written documentation presented to the course instructor. Extensions on the assignment and deferrals of tests will not be granted unless you have demonstrated an extenuating circumstance and provided the proper documentation. Without appropriate documentation or a valid reason, you will receive a ZERO for any test not completed or receive late penalties of 5% for each day and 10% for each weekend that the assignment is late. If you anticipate difficulties with the class requirements, you must discuss these concerns with the course instructor as soon as possible. If you require any accommodations through the Disability Services Office, please ensure you make an appointment as early as possible in the semester (see Academic Accommodations below). Grade Review Policy: If you are unhappy with the grade you receive on your assignment, please adhere to the following guidelines. First, thoroughly review all comments on your assignment. Do not contact the course instructor or teaching assistant until at least 48 hours have passed since your assignment was handed back. Second, along with your original marked assignment, you are to submit a letter to the course instructor. This letter should outline the reasons for a review of your assignment. Possible reasons could include a grade miscalculation or finding a passage in the literature that confirms an element in your assignment. You are not to write simply that you are unhappy and deserve better. Along with your outlined reasons for review, you should provide a suggestion for what you believe you deserve and an explanation for this. Third, give the course instructor approximately one week to review the assignment. The course instructor will keep your grade the same, increase the grade or lower it. Please keep in mind that the course instructor will have reviewed assignments prior to handing them back initially and has confidence in the grading skills of the teaching assistants. Course Communication: You are welcome to come speak with me during my office hours and/or by appointment about course material. You are also encouraged to meet with your teaching assistants to discuss questions related to subject matter or assignments. It is preferred you use e-mail to set up meetings. Please refrain from sending e-mails with particular questions/queries about course material or assignments – questions of this nature should only be discussed in person with the instructor or teaching assistants or during class time for the benefit of all students. E-mail Policy: As noted, you may e-mail the instructor or teaching assistant to set up a meeting. You may also send an e-mail to inform us of an emergency. All e-mail transactions should take place via your Queen’s email account for professional purposes and to ensure that your messages are not diverted into the instructor’s or teaching assistants’ ‘junk mail’ folder. When you send an e-mail to the instructor or a teaching assistant, please be sure to provide a proper greeting (e.g., Ms. Alarie, Good Afternoon Stacey), use a professional tone, and sign your name and student number. Course Policies: You are responsible for knowing all material covered in course readings, as well as in the weekly lectures, including all films, guest lectures, etc. Thus, it is strongly recommended that you attend all 4 scheduled lectures. To get the most out of this course, you are expected to come to lectures prepared to participate. The material that will be covered in lecture will not be an exact duplicate of the weekly readings. Rather, lectures will build on the readings and provide you with additional information that will complement but are not substitutes for the required readings. You are expected to arrive to lectures on time, to remain there for the allotted lecture time, and to provide the instructor with your undivided attention. Please be respectful when your fellow students are speaking and listen to their questions and comments. You are encouraged to engage in class discussions to obtain a more fulfilling experience. The subject matter that will be covered is sensitive, contentious, and rich. Students may find some material offensive. This is often unavoidable in a discussion that concerns the moral meaning of behaviour and the imposition of value judgments. There is a need to be open-minded in all class lectures and discussions with respect to the material and the viewpoints shared by others. As a class, there will likely be much critical discussion. In relation to this point, please be respectful of your fellow students and the subject matter when engaging in class discussions and debates. Also, the behaviours we discuss range from minor deviance to more serious crimes. Likewise, some behaviours labelled as ‘deviant’ may not be considered as such to everyone. Should you encounter language, depictions, attitudes or discussions to be disturbing, offensive or confusing, the course instructor and teaching assistants are available to discuss any concerns you have with the material. Every effort will be made to foster an accessible and safe learning environment. Only use personal communication devices (laptops, ipads, etc.) for lecture-related activities (taking notes, facilitating class discussions/research). Text messaging, playing computer games, watching videos, surfing the internet, and listening to music are disruptive and disrespectful to your classmates and your instructor. Please be courteous and turn off your electronic devices before class. Academic Accommodations: Queen's University is committed to achieving full accessibility for persons with disabilities. Part of this commitment includes arranging academic accommodations for students with disabilities to ensure they have an equitable opportunity to participate in all of their academic activities. If you are a student with a disability and think you may need accommodations, you are strongly encouraged to contact the Disability Services Office (DSO) and register as early as possible. For more information, including important deadlines, please visit the DSO website at: http://www.queensu.ca/hcds/ds/ Academic Integrity: Academic integrity is constituted by the five core fundamental values of honesty, trust, fairness, respect and responsibility (see www.academicintegrity.org). These values are central to the building, nurturing and sustaining of an academic community in which all members of the community will thrive. Adherence to the values expressed through academic integrity forms a foundation for the “freedom of inquiry and exchange of ideas” essential to the intellectual life of the University (see the Senate Report on Principles and Priorities http://www.queensu.ca/secretariat/policies/senateandtrustees/principlespriorities.html). Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the regulations concerning academic integrity and for ensuring that their assignments conform to the principles of academic integrity. 5 Information on academic integrity is available in the Arts and Science Calendar (see Academic Regulation 1 http://www.queensu.ca/artsci/academic-calendars/regulations/academicregulations/regulation-1), on the Arts and Science website (see http://www.queensu.ca/artsci/academics/undergraduate/academic-integrity), and from the instructor of this course. Departures from academic integrity include plagiarism, use of unauthorized materials, facilitation, forgery and falsification, and are antithetical to the development of an academic community at Queen's. Given the seriousness of these matters, actions which contravene the regulation on academic integrity carry sanctions that can range from a warning or the loss of grades on an assignment to the failure of a course to a requirement to withdraw from the university. Copyright of Course Materials (Moodle): This material is copyrighted and is for the sole use of students registered in SOCY 276. This material shall not be distributed or disseminated to anyone other than students registered in SOCY 276. Failure to abide by these conditions is a breach of copyright, and may also constitute a breach of academic integrity under the University Senate’s Academic Integrity Policy Statement. LECTURE AND READING SCHEDULE* Week 1 (January 7th and 9th): Introduction / Defining Deviance Tepperman and Tepperman, Chapter 1 Hills, Stuart. 1977. “The Mystification of Social Deviance.” Crime and Delinquency 23(4):417-426. Week 2 (January 14th and 16th): Appearance Issues Tepperman and Tepperman, Chapter 2 Week 3 (January 21st and 23rd): Mental Illness Tepperman and Tepperman, Chapter 3 Rosenhan, D. L. 1973. “On Being Sane in Insane Places.” Science 179(4070):250-258. Week 4 (January 28th and 30th): Unit Completion and Test #1 TEST #1 – FRIDAY, JANUARY 30TH Week 5 (February 4th and 6th): Sexual Deviance Tepperman and Tepperman, Chapter 4 Week 6 (February 11th and 13th): Substance Use Tepperman and Tepperman, Chapter 5 6 Week 7 (February 16th – 20th): Reading Week READING WEEK – NO CLASSES Week 8 (February 25th and 27th): Criminal Activity Tepperman and Tepperman, Chapters 7, 8 and 9 (Please note: These chapters will be covered over this week and the next) Week 9 (March 4th and 6th): Criminal Activity Continued and Test #2 TEST #2 – FRIDAY, MARCH 6TH Week 10 (March 11th and 13th): Victimization Tepperman and Tepperman, Chapter 10 PAPER ASSIGNMENT DUE (BEGINNING OF CLASS) – FRIDAY, MARCH 13TH Week 11 (March 18th and 20th): Informal Social Control Tepperman and Tepperman, Chapter 11 Week 12 (March 25th and 27th): Formal Punishment Tepperman and Tepperman, Chapter 12 Week 13 (April 1st and 3rd): Test #3 TEST #3 – WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1ST APRIL 3RD – NO CLASSES *Please note that reading items may be added, removed or changed throughout the course of the semester. As well, the course instructor reserves the right to change a weekly topic. Any changes to the Lecture and Reading Schedule will be announced in class and over Moodle (well in advance of the week/topic in question). Further, media resources (including print and film) will be used throughout the course. If scheduling permits, we will also have at least one guest lecture in the semester. Recommended readings, to advance your knowledge base in the field, will be part of each weekly lecture and are available upon request. 7
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