Sociology 303 Office: Fanner 3426
Course Time: 6-8:30p.m. Tuesdays Office Hours: 9-12 TTH
Location: Fanner 1222 and by appointment only
Instructor: Dr. Calhoun
email: tcalhoun@siu.edu
Office: 453-7610

Textbooks: Thio, Alex. 2001. Deviant Behavior. 6th Edition. Needham Heights, MA:
Allyn & Bacon.

Thio, Alex and Thomas C. Calhoun. 2001. Readings in Deviant Behavior. 2nd Edition. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

Course Objective: In this course we will study some of the rules that bind us together into a “society,” and some of the behaviors that violate these rules. Over the course of the semester we will investigate such rule-violating behaviors as alcoholism, drug abuse, prostitution, homosexuality, etc. In all instances we will be concerned with the social construction of deviant behavior – how society makes certain behaviors acceptable and others deviant, how deviant behaviors affect those who participate in them and how these behaviors ultimately affect the overall society.

Attendance: You are expected to be in class each scheduled time; however, for whatever reason, you are allowed two (2) absences this semester without penalty. However, for each additional absence 5 percentage points will be deducted your final average. For example, if at the end of the semester, your average is 72 and you have missed a total of five days, your new average will be 57. Therefore, instead of receiving a “C” for the course, you will receive a “F.” Obviously, if you have a legitimate reason for missing class (i.e. personal illness accompanied by a written excuse from a health care provider; death in your immediate family (brother/sister, mother/father, grandmother/grandfather, husband/wife/partner, or child; need to be away on official university business – accompanied by a legitimate document from the appropriate source, your absence(s) will be excused. I strongly recommend that you attend class each day because you cannot anticipate exactly when you will need to be out of class or for how long. You can always reach me via email or you can leave a message for me with the departmental secretary whose number is 453-2494. Do not call me at home unless it is absolutely necessary.

Subject Matter: During this semester we will be scientifically studying some of society’s most disapproved behaviors. If frank, candid discussion of topics such as prostitution, rape, alcohol or other drug abuses and the like offend you, then you are most likely in the wrong course. Therefore, any student who anticipates that the subject matter will be upsetting to you – for whatever reason – withdraw immediately.

Examinations: This semester there are three (3) examinations scheduled and they may be multiple choice, true/false, fill in the blank, short answer/essay or any combination thereof. The mere fact that a particular chapter in Thio or articles in Thio and Calhoun has not been discussed in class does not eliminate that material from the examination. You must bring to each examination one and perhaps two number 2 pencils for the portion of the examination that will be machine scored. For the short/answer, essay, or fill in the blank portion of the examination, these must be completed in blue, blue/black, or black ink or ballpoint pen. I will not grade these portions of your examination if written in pencil or some other unapproved color of ink, and you will receive no credit for these responses.

Class Participation: You are expected to come to class prepared to discuss the material assigned each day. Your contributions must have a foundation and be substantive in nature. To merely hear oneself talk is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Finally, you can disagree with the opinions of others; however, at no time will you be allowed to disrespect another member of this class.

Research Paper: Every student will write a research paper for this course. All topics must be approved by me and are due during the week indicated in the schedule that follows. I would suggest that you review the table of contents of your textbooks for ideas; however, you may write on a topic not included in these sources. Your final paper should not exceed 20 typewritten double spaced pages exclusive of bibliography. The margins of your paper should not exceed 1” from either side or from the top and bottom of the page. Every paper must have an outline and sections in accordance with that outline should break down the body of your paper. The conclusion should be a separate entry on your outline. Every page of your paper must be numbered. Failure to turn in a paper on or before November 12, 2002 will result in automatic failure for this course irrespective of grades made on the examinations. Do not wait until the last minute to try to write this paper because unanticipated problems always have a tendency to crop up (i.e. hard drive crashes, problems with disks, a need to be out of town, etc.). You have been warned and I will not waiver from this deadline. If you have to be away on university business or experience a personal loss, plan now to complete your paper ahead of time. Your paper should primarily be composed of scholarly sources (i.e. journal articles and books) and INTERNET sources should be used sparingly. I expect a minimum of 10 citations of which no more than 3 can be obtained from the Internet. Your research paper should conform to an acceptable style such as APA, MLA, Turabian, etc.

Grading:
Examination # 1 100 points
Examination # 2 100 points
Examination # 3 100 points
Research Paper 100 points
Total Points 400*

A = 360 and above
B = 320-359
C = 280-319
D = 240=279
F = 239 and Below

*Class participation may impact your grade positively; however, it will not affect it negatively.

Do not ask for extra credit work because the request will be denied.

Reading Schedule: The following is presented only for planning purposes; it may change as situations dictate. It is only to be used as a guide and not to be construed as “written in stone.”

Week 1 (August 20)
Introduction, Chapter 1 from Thio and Thio & Calhoun, pages 1-17

Week 2 (August 27)
Thio & Calhoun, pages 18-36
Thio pages 17-23 and Thio & Calhoun pages 41-45

Week 3 (September 3)
Thio, pages 24-48 and Thio & Calhoun pages 46-66
PAPER TOPICS DUE

Week 4 (September 10)
Monday – Thio, pages 48-87 and Thio & Calhoun pages 67-92

Week 5 (September 17)
First Major Examination

Week 6 (September 24)
Thio, pages 89-138
Thio and Calhoun, 94-98

Week 7 (October 1)
Thio, pages 139-153
Thio and Calhoun pages 353-357
Paper outline with proposed bibliography

Week 8 (October 8)
Thio 153-199
Thio and Calhoun pages 247-255

Week 9 (October 15)
Thio 202-234 and Thio and Calhoun pages 293-313

Week 10 (October 22)
Thio and Calhoun pages 147-189

Week 11 (October 29)
Second Major Examination

Week 12 (November 5)
Thio pages 236-259 and Thio and Calhoun pages 193-221

Week 13 (November 12)
Research Papers Due
Thio and Calhoun pages 115-127
Thio 259-295

Week 14 (November19)
Thio and Calhoun pages 128-143
Thio pages 298 – 310

Week 15 (November 26)
FALL VACATION – NO CLASS

Week 16 (December 3)
Thio pages 310-351
Thio and Calhoun pages 105-111, 283-292 and 223-247

Week 17

FINAL EXAMINATION: Tuesday, May 10th from 6 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Do not ask that this examination be given earlier than