Sociology: Deviance & Social Control (A)

About SOC 1210 A

Analysis of the causes and consequences of social behavior that violates norms. Examines patterns of deviant socialization and social organization and forms of deviance control.

Notes

Open to Degree and PACE students

Section Description

In the most general terms, this is a course in sociological theory. It is not a course with a “what can we do about (fill in the name of your pet social problem)” thrust. In other words, although it will be grounded in concrete case studies, some readings and most lecture materials will often be fairly abstract and theoretical. Apart from acquainting you with a body of knowledge, then, the course should develop your analytical skills and enhance your ability to deal with abstract ideas. Good verbal (reading and writing) skills will definitely help you to do well in the course, and conversely, the course should also help you to improve those skills.

The primary aim of this course is to acquaint you with the epistemological foundations of a particular perspective in sociology—social constructionism. This is a perspective rooted in the work of Kant, Weber, Simmel and Schutz that argues that all of reality is a social construction, continually recreated as humans engage in social interactions. This perspective also draws on the work of Marx in that it assumes that people with power have a greater ability to define reality and profit from their own definitions of what is real and, relatedly, that they have reason to try to suppress definitions of reality that challenge their own. A related literature deals explicitly with the idea that in creating reality, social and otherwise, humans create themselves and others. Thus a second specific focus of the course is social psychological. To inform our discussions of this material, we will read classic, foundational statements by Mead, Cooley, and James about the formation of the social “self.”

Finally, using the perspective of the course, we will consider how cognitive categories and universes are reified and transformed into moral ones; how and why individuals are sorted into these categories; and the social psychological and symbolic effects of these processes on both the individuals so sorted and society. We will examine deviance and normality creation and contestation as the vehicles by which all of this is accomplished. Mental illness, drug use and trade, witchcraft, alcoholism, physical difference, and stigmatized embodiments/enactments of race, gender and sexuality as well as other categories of socially meaningful difference, both historical and contemporary, will be the data for our theorizing.

(Especially if you have not have Introduction to Sociology, this course should also serve as an introduction to the sociological point of view and to a set of basic, foundational sociological concepts.)

Section Expectation

Learning Objectives for this course include:
- Think sociologically about deviance and social control that critically challenge common sense and politicized notions of these topics
- Reflect on main concepts and contemporary debates for further studies in the field
- Develop critical analytical skills through class readings, discussions, and assignments

Interactive lecture focused on student engagement. Course expectations include attendance, familiarity with course readings, class discussions, exams, short writing assignments.

Evaluation

Exams, short writing assignments.

Important Dates

Courses may be cancelled due to low enrollment. Show your interest by enrolling.

Resources

• Parking
• PACE Course Pricing
• Textbooks