Social Deviance (SOC*2070)

Code and section: SOC*2070*DE01

Term: Summer 2025

Instructor: Christopher Tatham

Details

Course Learning Outcomes
In this course, we explore how people are condemned and labeled as “bad” and somehow immoral (deviant) for their actions, beliefs, and characteristics that are considered reprehensible by the broader society. We study both the social phenomena that are considered deviant (such as illegal drug use, crime and unusual sexual practices) and the effects of labeling people for engaging in this deviance.
Some students new to the study of deviance plunge right in without first understanding what it is. It may be helpful to reiterate what the study of deviance is not: It is not saying that some people are bad and irredeemable, it is not the justification of why we condemn some people as bad, and it is not limited to looking at the titillating details of those who lead unconventional lives. Rather, the study of deviance examines how notions of both what is acceptable and unacceptable are socially constructed and people are affected by that construction. People who are labeled as deviant are those people who rightly or wrongly are seen as having “spoiled identities” or being “bad people” because of something that is so unacceptable in its context that it affects how the public would see those people. In a sense, the social processes that make some things socially acceptable are the same that make something else unacceptable.
In other words, in studying social deviance as socially constructed, we are not automatically passing judgement on the people and practices therein, nor denying that the deviance with which we are concerned cannot be often harmful. We are looking at what people are condemned for and the effects of this condemnation, without necessarily passing a moral judgement that make students believe that these things are all either completely unacceptable or alternately all harmless victims of negative labeling.
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
1. Explain and define deviance;
2. Feel a greater sympathy for other people’s points of view;
3. Differentiate between what we think is right and wrong with what is socially acceptable, accepting that both will change over time;
4. Develop an appreciation of the ongoing processes of social control;
5. Analyze how social deviance is created by society and how deviance is socially constructed; and
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6. Analyze the consequences of labeling people and the attribution of stigma.

Teaching and Learning Activities
Method of Learning
In studying social deviance, we learn the methods and rules of the discipline, but there is no substitute for plunging in and immersing yourself in the material. What we learn changes us by changing our perspective, whether it consolidates or challenges our predispositions. Once the basic methods are mastered, the speed of understanding new topics is increased. What I hope is that you all learn and enjoy doing so. I hope we can discuss our different points of view online. The online postings and discussions are not merely for students to passively receive information from the instructor. Ideally, the online technology is to facilitate active learning, multi-directional communication, and a student-centered learning environment. It is also vital that you discuss the material, give opinions, offer insights from your own backgrounds, experiences and past studies, as well as help each other master the course material.
Students who have been able to be successful in past sessions have revealed that they typically access the web site 3-4 times per week in order to keep up with the course and continually contribute to the class.
Personal Expectations and Disclaimer:
I enjoy teaching this course, but I warn you that some of this material is a little groaty. I seek to expose the students to many different points of view and unusual topics while promoting a learning environment of inclusion for students of all value positions. I may need to warn you that the goal herein is not to force any ideological position upon you, but for you to develop the skills and starting points you will need to examine controversial topics. You don’t need to believe all the different theories and points of view (which would be impossible as they may contradict each other), but to understand them. In fact, you don’t have to embrace any point of view, just be yourself. I want students to feel comfortable here regardless of their religious and political values. The position I personally openly support is that of free inquiry, with all that it means of academic freedom, free speech, logic, and objectivity. If you want to take a course that will tell you what to believe and that get you to look down on and judge others, this course is not for you. But if you like to learn new things and surprise yourself with new ideas, come right in!
This material is not for the squeamish. The topics are controversial and the content of our documentaries may be at the adult level. One can voice any opinion as long as one respects the rights of others to do the same. By taking this class, one gives acceptance for the topics, arguments, and language voiced in class, however unanticipated. There will be no formal “trigger warnings” whenever controversial material is floated because there is no guarantee that anything could not bother somebody, and such warnings are not given in the “real life” outside the classroom and also have been shown to do more harm than good. I chose the courseware readings to provide some classic statements, to cover some current developments, and to also introduce some challenges to prevailing opinions. Due to length considerations, the readings cannot cover all opinions on each topic, and it would be redundant to include readings that merely give the information you have already received elsewhere in other classes, so I prefer those that challenge our preconceptions or otherwise offer us something new. So, welcome aboard, and I hope you all find something stimulating and unexpected which will help you in your future studies!
Feel free to give me, the instructor, some feedback. Each time we run the course we change the amount of required readings. Please let me know if you are having trouble keeping up. I am hoping to gather some feedback for the next major renovation of the course. If an online link stops working, please let me know at once, and I can help.

Course Structure
This course is comprised of 12 units titled as follows:
• Unit 01: Introduction to Social Deviance
• Unit 02: Explaining Deviant Behaviour: Positivist Theories
• Unit 03: Constructing Deviance
• Unit 04: Drug Use as Deviance
• Unit 05: Crime and Criminalization
• Unit 06: Tribal Stigma
• Unit 07: Is Decriminalization the Solution?
• Unit 08: White Collar Crime
• Unit 09: Sexual Deviance
• Unit 10: Unconventional Beliefs
• Unit 11: Mental Disorder
• Unit 12: Deviant Physical Characteristics

Syllabus

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Outline_SOC2070_DE01_S25_FINAL_AODA.pdf	378.72 KB