Deviance & Social Control

1. Module Title: Deviance & Social Control
2. Module Prefix/Number: SOC 444
3. Credit Hours: Three (3)
4. Description: This sociology module explores the ways in which deviant behavior is socially constructed, how individuals are labeled and stigmatized as deviant, and how mechanisms of social control are activated
   and challenged. We will also explore several theories of social deviance that offers answers to our
   questions. The topic examines the changing moral landscape regarding hay marriage and the
   importance of social media in facilitating deviant acts; political crimes and cultural and social reactions
   to deviance.
5. Student Learning Outcomes:
   

   By the end of this course, students should achieve the following Learning Outcomes
   1. A deeper understanding of the individual and social forces affecting both conforming and deviant behaviors.	1.1 Students will have a clearer understanding of the definition of deviance and the theories regarding the causes and the role of both social control and deviant behavior. 1.2 Discussions of various policy implications and other perspectives.
   2. Develop student’s ability to critically analyze the interactions of individuals and society regarding deviance and social control with real world topics.	2.1 Provide students with the relativity and normative aspects of deviance. 2.2 Introduced to the various methods of social controls used to regulate deviant behaviors. 2.3. Explore the characteristics, causes, and consequences of a deviant label.
   3. How deviant is define in a cultural and organizational perspective.	3.1 Understand deviances on several conceptual levels, which includes social norms, labeling of deviance, societal reactions to norm violators and formal and informal controls of social/legal norm violations.

6. Grading Scale: Your letter grade in this course will be determined by calculating your score on all assignments and exams as a percentage of the total possible score, on a standard grading scale:
   

   Your Letter Grade	Your Score as % of Total
   A	90–100
   B	80-89
   C	70-79
   D	60-69
   F	0-59

   Assignments 40%

   As part of the requirements, students must complete short assignments based on these studies. There will be 2 assignments, each attracting 20% of total course grade.

   Assignment (Essay) 20%

   Students are also required to turn in an essay assignment.

   Guidelines for the essay assignment:

   • Word limit: 1500 – 2500
   • The assignment should be typed using Times New Roman, 12-point size, double spaced, and 1″ margins.
   • The assignment should be edited for spelling and grammar.
   • References to be provided using the APA guidelines.

   Exam 40%

   There will be a Final exam. The exam will be based on material covered in the textbook readings and lecture notes.

7. Course Outline
   

   Topic
   The Nature & Meaning of Deviance Deviant Events & Social Control
   Becoming Deviant Major Theories of Deviance
   Crimes of Interpersonal Violence Nonviolent Crime
   Drug Use & Addiction
   Drunkenness & Alcoholism Suicide
   Heterosexual Deviance Gays, Lesbians, & Homophobia
   Physical Disabilities Mental Disorder
   Recent Forms of Deviance

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