3:00-5:30 Monday

Fall, 2002
Faner 3410

Instructor: Diane Taub Office Phone: 453-2466
Office: Faner 2427 Office Hours: by appointment
E-mail: dtaub@siu.edu

REQUIRED READING

Social Deviance: Readings in Theory and Research (Fourth Edition). Henry N. Pontell.

Theories of Deviance (Fifth Edition). Stuart H. Traub and Craig B. Little.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

-- to acquire an overview of the major theoretical perspectives in the sociology of deviant behavior;

-- to become familiar with empirical findings in the sociology of deviance literature;

-- to be exposed to the original works of major theorists and researchers in the sociology of deviant behavior;

-- to appreciate the variety of research methodologies utilized in the study of deviance;

-- to gain a better understanding of the heterogeneous nature of deviant behavior;

-- to experience a personal involvement in the research context.

GRADES

Percentage of
Source Total Grade

Oral Presentations
Seminar Leader 20
Research Paper 10
Field Experience Project 15
Research Paper 30
Final Examination 25

(Students who choose to audit are required to be a seminar leader and to complete a field experience project.)

ORAL PRESENTATIONS (30% of total grade)

Each student is required to conduct two oral presentations: leading the seminar for one meeting, and summarizing the theoretical and/or empirical significance of a research paper.

Seminar leaders are responsible for reporting the main points of the readings, emphasizing applications of the assigned theoretical perspective. Presenters should also lead discussion of issues relevant to the chosen topic. Handouts, visual aids, and/or the blackboard should be used to enhance the dialogue. Students are cautioned not to lecture, but to facilitate discussion and be able to answer questions from seminar members related to the assigned material.

In the last two regular class meetings (November 18 and December 2), each student will summarize their research paper. The presentation should demonstrate a sound understanding of the theoretical and empirical literature of the topic. Each presenter should also explain the relevance of their study and the significance of their findings.

FIELD EXPERIENCE PROJECT (15% of total grade)

A. Introduction

Each student is to visit, observe, and sociologically evaluate (utilizing Weber's "verstehen"- an empathetic understanding) one so-called "deviant" territory or organization, etc. dealing with "deviance." The following list of research topics is not comprehensive and is only intended to be a guide. The student may elect to do their project elsewhere but only after first conferring with the instructor.

1. Alcoholics Anonymous; AL-ANON; Adult Children of Alcoholics; Mothers Against Drunk Driving; or other alcohol-related groups or organizations
2. Abuse or family violence shelters or organizations, such as Women's Center
3. Nursing homes; agencies for the elderly; Hospice Care; senior citizens centers
4. Adult criminal court; Probation/Parole offices
5. Institutions, agencies, or groups related to physical disability and mental disability/illness, e.g., Center for Independent Living; Clyde L. Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center; Families and Friends of the Mentally Ill
6. Adult correctional facilities, e.g., county jails; state or federal institutions; work release centers, such as Southern Illinois Adult Transition Center
7. Juvenile correctional facilities, e.g., Harrisburg Youth Center; Huber's Boys Home
8. Weight Watchers; Overeaters Anonymous; TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly)
9. Gateway Youth Foundation; Narcotics Anonymous; or other drug rehabilitation groups or organizations
10. Meetings or locations of subcultures, e.g., involving gays; prostitutes; juvenile delinquents; cults; the homeless (at Good Samaritan House or Mary's House, for example). Do not merely interview a member of a subculture.
11. Smokers Anonymous; Gamblers Anonymous
12. Riding in patrol cars; foot patrol with SIUC police
13. Suicide Support Group for Family Members and Friends

B. Requirements

1. It is the responsibility of the student to contact an agency and to make arrangements for an appointment, tour, etc.
2. The student must choose a situation they have never experienced.
3. Assignments of projects will be made on a first come-first serve basis. A particular agency or location may only be chosen once.
4. Each project must be typed, doubled-spaced, and be 5-6 (no more or less) pages long. Papers not meeting these guidelines will not be accepted.
5. Projects are due October 25 by noon in my sociology mailbox. No late papers will be accepted.

C. Project Outline

1. State when and where the study was conducted. Include the date and range of time spent (for example, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.).
2. Depict the clientele of an agency or the study sample of a nonagency (for example, sex, age, ethnicity, social class, number of individuals).
3. Briefly discuss the agency or location, etc. What are its norms or goals? At times it may be necessary to infer these. If so, note that the norms and goals were not stated specifically and explain how they were determined.
4. Describe findings and impressions.
5. Apply the sociology of deviant behavior (using concepts, theories, information from notes or articles) to the study. In what ways has the knowledge of deviance enhanced or altered perception of this experience? This application should comprise the majority of the paper.
6. Based on this project, assess whether or not the agency, etc. should be recommended for an individual.

RESEARCH PAPER (30% of total grade)

A. Introduction and Requirements

The purpose of the research paper is to provide an opportunity for the student to conceptualize and investigate a research question. The paper must either reflect a completed study or constitute a mini-prospectus for those who are currently working on a research paper or dissertation prospectus in deviance.

Theoretical papers may be approved if they involve a new theoretical approach or synthesis. The student should not simply do a literature review. Instead, the paper should address a void or weakness in the field.

Each student must have a brief statement of their research topic and approach approved by September 27. Final papers should be approximately 20 pages typed, double-spaced, with citations and references in the American Sociological Association style. Manuscripts not meeting these guidelines will not be accepted. Papers are due November 18 by noon in my sociology mailbox. No late papers will be accepted.

B. Paper Outline

1. Describe the research problem and its significance.
2. Review the literature on the chosen theoretical perspective.
3. Discuss the theoretical and empirical findings related to the research topic.
4. State the research questions and/or hypotheses.
5. Describe the methodology, including data collection and analysis.
6. Present results.
7. Discuss and interpret findings.

FINAL EXAMINATION (25% of total grade)

The in-class final examination is intended to assist students in preparing for comprehensive examinations; studying for the final should also aid students in assimilating and integrating course material. Questions (essay and short answer) will focus on sociological concepts, theoretical perspectives, and research findings in particular topics of deviance.