Course Description
This course will examine a range of social psychological concepts and theories—conformity, identity, prejudice, stereotypes, stigma—as they relate to the study of deviance, deviant behavior, and deviants. In addition to reading, writing, and discussion, students will engage in a significant field activity, during which time they will have the opportunity to make their own scientific observations of deviant behavior. Upon completion of the course, students should be able to define deviance, describe how deviance is socially constructed, and discuss the social psychological impacts of the experience of stigma. (3 credits)
Prerequisites
- ENG 101: English Composition 1
- ENG 102: English Composition 2
- PSY 101: Psychology (Recommended)
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
- Critically analyze competing perspectives on important social psychological issues and debates.
- Explain the importance of incorporating a social psychological perspective in both personal and professional endeavors.
- Apply social psychological concepts to cultural texts and social situations.
- Analyze the nature of deviance through the breaching of social norms.
- Communicate more effectively in collaborative online environments
General Education Outcomes (GEOs)
Please check the applicable GEOs for this course, if any, by outcomes at GEO Category Search, or by subject area at GEO Discipline Search.
Course Activities and Grading
| Assignments | Weight |
|---|---|
9 Discussions (Weeks 1-8) | 50% |
7 Team Project Participation (Weeks 2-8) | 35% |
Team Project Final Report | 15% |
Total | 100% |
Required Textbooks
Available through Charter Oak State College's online bookstore
- Henry, Stuart. Social Deviance. 2nd ed. Medford, MA: Polity Press, 2019. ISBN-13: 9781509523511
Course Schedule
Week | SLOs | Readings and Exercises | Assignments |
1 | 1-5 | Topic: Introduction to the Course
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2 | 1-5 | Topic: What is Deviance?
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3 | 1-5 | Topic: Why Do People Ban Behavior?
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4 | 1-5 | Topic: What Causes People to Deviate?
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5 | 1-5 | Topic: What Motivates People to Break Rules?
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6 | 1-5 | Topic: How Do People Respond to Being Designated Deviant?
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7 | 1-5 | Topic:Becoming Normal and Resisting Stigma
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8 | 1-5 | Topic: Breaching Experiment Final Reports
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03082023
COSC Accessibility Statement
Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.
COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources
Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.