SOC 216 - Sociology of Deviance

 
Description
In this course, students gain the ability to analyze a variety of deviant behaviors from sociological, critical and cross-cultural perspectives. Deviant Behavior is any activity or action that attracts widespread social disapproval. Topics include but are not limited to homicide, rape, family violence, mental disorders, unconventional sexuality, drug use, suicide, physical disability and appearance, unconventional behavior and freedom of expression.

1. Explain the difference between criminal and non-criminal deviance.
2. Discuss societal definitions of deviance and identify the impact on society.
3. Define Stigma and discuss its effects on individuals and society.
4. List and define various theoretical perspectives as applied to Deviance including, Structural Functionalism, Conflict Theory, Labeling, Strain Theory, Differential Association, Control Theory, and Phenomenology.
5. Identify specific variant forms of personal, interpersonal and lifestyle deviance and explain each influence on social interactions.
6. Identify positive and negative consequences of deviant behavior.
7. Discuss deviance as a catalyst for social change.

1. Various objective, subjective, and cross-cultural definitions of deviance
2. Theories of deviance formation
3. Specific forms of criminal and non-criminal deviance which will include physical violence, substance deviance, sexual deviance, deviant language, physical disability, economic deviance, political & ideological deviance, obesity & eating disorders, deviance as expression, deviance as catalyst for social change

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