Fall 2001: Section 005

Syllabus
 

Instructor: Betsy Erbaugh                     Office Hours: Mon. 4-5pm, Tues. 3:15-4:00pm
Classroom: Dane Smith Hall 225                                                    Office:  SSCI  1065
Class Times: Mon. & Wed. 7-8:15pm                                     Office Phone: 277-8991
Website: www.unm.edu/~erbaugh/                                 Email: erbaugh@unm.edu

Course Objectives:  In this course we will critically analyze the concept of deviance, examine available theoretical explanations of deviant behavior, and explore the relationships among deviant behavior, social organization and social control.  We will use sociological approaches to examine how various categories of deviant behavior are defined, why particular individuals and groups are labeled deviant, and how deviance and societal conditions influence one another.  Substantively, the course will combine lecture material and group discussions (largely based on the assigned texts), relevant films, and activities both in and outside the classroom.

Sociological approaches to deviance can be understood in terms of two categories: positivism and constructionism.  To put it simply, positivists tend to ask: Why do “deviants” do what they do?  Constructionists tend to ask: Why do we (society) construct certain attitudes, behaviors and characteristics as “deviant?”  Students in this course will become familiar with basic theories of deviance and be able to  identify whether a given theory is positivist, constructionist, or falls somewhere along the spectrum between the two.  Students will be able to understand and evaluate a range of theoretical explanations for any given behavior defined as “deviant,” and will be encouraged to develop their own theories of deviance. Views about what is right and wrong, normal and deviant, vary enormously.  This course will give students tools for investigating the personal and social factors that contribute to widely differing perspectives on deviance and social control.  Relations of power as expressed across ethnic, gender and class lines will be central to our analysis.

As an instructor, I aim to create a learning atmosphere that is conducive to critical and sociological thinking, writing, and discussion.  I want you as students to go beyond merely digesting other people’s ideas to actively engage with the material and to critique both commonly held assumptions and sociological theories about deviant behavior.  We live in a society where deviance occurs and is defined, redefined, and responded to all around us on a daily basis.  I want this course to be a catalyst for moving beyond our roles as participants and passive observers in these social processes toward active sociological analysis.

Required Texts:    1. Deviant Behavior, Erich Goode, 6th Edition, Prentice Hall.
                                2. Course reader available at ECS (at Central and Harvard).

Website: There is a website for the class which you should check weekly.  The syllabus and all assignments will be on the website.  Questions about the course?  Please check the website first, then email me.

Exams: There will be three exams during the semester which will draw from the readings, lectures, films, activities, etc.  (Anything covered in readings or class is fair game.)  The exams are not cumulative, and study guides will be provided.

Makeup exams: Whereas makeup exams are the bane of my existence, they will be given only if all of the following criteria are met: 1. It is absolutely impossible for you to be present for the exam.  2. If you know ahead of time you will not be in class the day of the exam due to an athletic event or other obligation, you must notify me as soon as you become aware of it.  In case of illness or dire emergency, you must notify me (preferably by email) by 5pm on the day of the exam. 3.  You must bring me original written proof of your incapacity to take the exam (from a doctor or the dean).  4. Makeup exams must be completed by the Friday following the exam.
Requests for makeups that fall outside these parameters will not be looked upon favorably.

Paper: A five-page research paper will be due the last day of class.  You will also turn in a proposal, revised proposal, bibliography, outline, and rough draft on the dates specified in the syllabus.  Bring two copies of each to class on the dates specified, one copy for me and one to exchange with a classmate for in-class comments.  You will also meet with me once during the semester (to be scheduled) to talk about your project.

Click here for details of paper assignment.

Attendance and Participation: Given that the class will revolve around discussion of the readings, small group work, lecture, films, and other relevant information, your attendance, preparedness, and participation are essential.  Please note that you are responsible for any and all material missed because of any absences.  (Do not ask me if we did anything important.)

Grading:  Exams (3 @ 20% each):                                            60%
                 Paper (10% for proposal, bibliography and draft,
                            10% for final product):                                   20%
                 Participation and other assignments:                           20%

Notice: Any student who, because of disability, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact the instructor as soon as possible to make necessary accommodations.  It is the responsibility of the student to request accommodation for individual learning needs.  UNM will make every attempt to accommodate all qualified students with disabilities.  For further information, contact Student Support Services at (505) 277-3506.

Tentative Course Schedule: Dynamics and issues raised in class will likely affect the pace of the class.  With that in mind, the following is a tentative outline of the material we will cover.  You should complete the readings indicated by class time on the dates specified.  Chapters are from the Goode text; articles (and excerpts) are in the Reader.

Part I: INTRODUCTION

Week 1:
Monday 8/20 - Go over syllabus, discuss objectives and expectations.
Wednesday 8/22 - Introduction to Deviance (Chapter 1)

Week 2:
Monday 8/27 - What is Deviance?  (Chapter 2)
Wednesday 8/29 - Two Approaches to Deviance: Positivism and Constructionism (Chapter 3)

Part II: THEORIES OF DEVIANCE

Week 3:
Monday 9/3 - LABOR DAY; NO CLASS
Wednesday 9/5 - Positivist Theories of Deviance (Chapter 4)

Week 4:
Monday  9/10- Postivist Theories continued
    Merton, 1938, “Social Structure and Anomie.”
Wednesday 9/12 - Constructionist Theories of Deviance (Chapter 5)
    Durkheim, 1938, “The Normal and the Pathological.”

Week 5
Monday 9/17 - Constructionist Theories continued.
    Lemert, 1951, “Primary and Secondary Deviation.”
    Goffman, 1963, “Stigma and Social Identity.”
    PAPER PROPOSAL DUE - 2 copies
Wednesday 9/19 - Constructionist Theories continued.  Exam Review.
    Chesney-Lind, 2001, “'Out of Sight, Out of Mind': Girls in the Juvenile Justice System.”

Week 6
Monday 9/24 -  EXAM #1 (Bring #2 pencil.)

PART III: DEVIANT BEHAVIORS

Wednesday 9/26 - Introduction, Structural Violence
    Liazos, 1972, “The Poverty of the Sociology of Deviance: Nuts, Sluts and Preverts.”

Week 7
Monday 10/1 - Criminal Behavior (Chapter 6)
    Steffensmeier & Broidy, 2001.  "Explaining Female Offending."
Wednesday 10/3 - Comparing White Collar and Blue Collar Crime
    Pontell and Calavita, 1993, “White-Collar Crime in the S & L Scandal.”

Week 8
Monday 10/8 - Physical Violence
    Hawkins, Laub & Lauritsen, 2001, "Race, Ethnicity, and Serious Juvenile Offending."
    Kruttschnitt, 2001, "Gender and Violence."
    (Columbine article)
    REVISED PROPOSAL & BIBLIOGRAPHY DUE - 2 copies
Wednesday 10/10 - Drug Use and the War on Drugs (Chapter 7)
    (Article on Powder vs. Crack Cocaine)

Week 9
Monday 10/15 - Alcohol and Tobacco Use (Chapter 8)
Wednesday 10/17 - GROUP PRESENTATIONS
    Mancuso & Miller, 2001. "Crime and Punishment in the Lives of Women Alcohol and Other Drug Users."

Week 10
Monday 10/22 - Catch-up, Exam Review.
Wednesday 10/24 - EXAM #2 (Bring #2 pencil.)

Week 11
Monday 10/29 - (Hetero)Sexual Deviance (Chapter 9)
    PAPER OUTLINE DUE - 2 copies
Wednesday 10/31- Film: Live Nude Girls Unite
    Thompson and Harred, 1992, “Topless Dancers: Managing Stigma in a Deviant Occupation.”

Week 12
Monday 11/5 - Heterosexual Deviance continued
    Califia, 1994, “Feminism and Sadomasichism.”
Wednesday 11/7 - Homophobia and its Targets (Chapter 10)
    Clausen, 1990, “My Interesting Condition.”

Week 13
Monday  11/12 - (Homo)Sexual deviance continued
    Humphreys, 1970, “Tearoom Trade.”
    Carrier, 1985, “Mexican Male Bisexuality.”
Wednesday 11/14 - Physical Characteristics as Deviance (Chapter 11)
    Manning, 1997, “The Magic Wand” and “Unsolicited Looking Glass.”
    Clare, 1997, “How to Talk to a New Lover about Cerebral Palsy” and “Learning to Speak”
    Hernández, 1997, “Back Problems.”
    Marah, 1989, “Dyslexic Dispear.”

Week 14
Monday 11/19 - Cognitive Deviance (Chapter 12)
    DRAFT OF PAPER DUE - 2 copies
Wednesday 11/21 - (TBD)

Week 15
Monday 11/26 - Mental Illness  (Chapter 13)
Wednesday 11/28 - Film: Women and Madness
    Rosenhan, 1973, “On Being Sane in Insane Places.”

Week 16
Monday 12/3 - Ideological and Ethical Implications of Studying Deviance (Chapter 14)
Wednesday 12/5 - Overview and wrap up of course.  Exam Review.
    FINAL PAPER DUE.
 

FINAL EXAM (Exam #3): Monday December 10, 7:45pm