UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY
SOC 224-A1: Sociology of Deviance and Conformity
Fall 2019 (Sept. 03-Dec 06)

Instructor: Dr. Bede Eke Class Days/Time: MWF (10:00-10:50 AM)

Department: Sociology Lecture Room: TL 12
Email: [email protected] Office: Room 4-7 Tory Building
Phone: 780-492-4524

Office Hours: 10:55-11:15 AM (WF) or by appointment.

TERRITORIAL STATEMENT:
“The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and
respects the histories, languages, and cultures of the First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and all First
Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.”

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The Sociology of Deviance and Conformity offers an overview of (i) the major
sociological theories that explain and analyze deviant behavior, (ii) processes involved in
defining behaviors as deviant, and (iii) factors that influence conformity and change.
Specific behaviors examined include sexual behavior; drug abuse; interpersonal criminal
violence; commercial crime; body modification; and youthful deviance.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
1. Explain sociological analysis of deviance and conformity by highlighting the
complexity associated with the concept of “deviance” in our society.
2. Apply theoretical perspectives in the explanations, analysis and understanding of
sociology of deviance and conformity.
3. Gain practical insights that will assist students in their understanding and dealing
with issues of deviance and conformity.
4. Apply the knowledge of the concept of deviance and conformity in explaining
social construction of reality in a given society.
5. Appreciate the enduring and changing nature of deviance and conformity in
Canadian society.

REQUIRED TEXT:
Tami M. Bereska (2018). Deviance, Conformity and Social Control in Canada (5th
Edition). Toronto: Pearson

RECOMMENDED TEXT:
Lorne Tepperman, (2013). Deviance, Crime, & Control. 3rd Ed.Ontario: Oxford
University Press.

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TEACHING FORMAT:
A lecture format will be used, but questions and discussion are encouraged.

EXAMINATIONS:
Examinations will be based upon information provided in the text and lectures. There
will be three examinations—1st Mid-term, 2nd Mid-Term and Final Exam. The format of
exams will be multiple-choice. The second midterm and final exams are on-cumulative.

The following grade distribution weight will be used:

 1st Mid-term Examination-------30%
 2nd Mid-term Examination ---------30%
 Final Examination-------------40%

 The First Mid-term Examination will be held in class on Friday, September 27, 2019.
 The Second Mid-Term Examination will be held in class on Friday, October 25, 2019.
 The Final Examination: Dec. 17 (Tentative): check Beartracks for information.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
“The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and
honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic
honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are
particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student
Behaviour (online at https://www.ualberta.ca/governance/) and avoid any behaviour which
could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts
and/or participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result
in suspension or expulsion from the University.” For more information on academic
integrity, visit:
https://www.ualberta.ca/current-students/academic-resources/academic-integrity

RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS

For student services on campus, visit: https://www.ualberta.ca/current-students

ABSENCE FROM EXAM: Absence from Exams (University Calendar, Attendance

Section)

“Excused absence for a missed exam is not automatic and is granted at the discretion of
the instructor (in the case of term exams) or the student’s Faculty (in the case of final
exams).

Instructors and Faculties are not required to grant excused absences for unacceptable
reasons that include, but are not limited to personal events such as vacations, weddings,
or travel arrangements. When a student is absent from a term or final exam without
acceptable excuse, a final grade will be computed using a raw score of zero for the
exam missed.

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MISSED MID-TERM EXAM:
Students are to contact the instructor within two working days from the date of the missed
exam, or as soon as the student is able to, in regards to the circumstance underlying the
absence. Students who are unable to write a mid-term exam on the scheduled date based
on reasons normally granted by the University (e.g., medical emergency) will write a
make-up exam at a later date to be arranged between the student and instructor.

Documentation to be presented for consideration for writing a make-up term exam:

For incapacitating medical illness, students can present one of the following:

 “University of Alberta Medical Statement” signed by a doctor (this cannot be

required, but will be accepted if provided in lieu of other documents)
 “Request for Excused Absence or Deferral of Term Work.” The link to the
form is:
https://www.ualberta.ca/arts/student-services/undergraduate-student-services/for
ms-for-students
 "Statutory Declaration" (to be obtained from home Faculty or the Office of the
Registrar)

For all other cases, such as domestic afflictions or religious convictions, the student should
submit appropriate documentation to the situation. This could include the following:

 For a death in the family – a copy of the death certificate

 For a religious conflict – a letter from the church or pastor
 For a car accident – a copy of the accident report
 For other serious afflictions – consult with Instructor or Department about
appropriate documents

DEFERRED FINAL EXAM:

If you fail to write the FINAL EXAM you must formally apply to your Faculty office
within two working days following the missed final exam, or as soon as the student is able
to in regards to the circumstance, in order to be considered for a deferred final
examination. The decision to grant a deferred final exam is not the instructor’s. Deferred
examinations are intended to accommodate students who have experienced an
incapacitating illness or severe domestic affliction; applications based on minor or
inconsequential ailments will not be approved.

DEFERRED EXAM DATE & TIME: Students granted a deferred final exam will write
on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at 9:00 AM (Location: BUS 1 10)

IN-CLASS EXAMS:
Your student photo I.D. is required at exams to verify your identity. At the discretion of the
instructor, students may or may not be allowed to begin an examination after it has been in
progress for 30 minutes.

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ACCESS TO PAST OR REPRESENTATIVE EVALUATIVE COURSE
MATERIAL: Sample exam material will be discussed in class or posted on e-class.

CELL PHONES & RECORDING DEVICE:

“Audio or video recording, digital or otherwise, of lectures, labs, seminars or any other
teaching environment by students is allowed only with the prior written consent of the
Instructor or as a part of an approved accommodation plan. Student or Instructor content,
digital or otherwise, created and/or used within the context of the course is to be used
solely for personal study, and is not to be used or distributed for any other purpose
without prior written consent from the content author(s).”

GRADING:
Your performances on the two mid-term exams and the final exam will be added together
and calculated as a percentage. Your percentage grade will then be converted to the
four-point scale as shown below. A grade of 89.4 will be rounded down to 89. A grade of
89.5 will be rounded off to 90.

Description Percentage Grade Value

Excellent 95-100 A+ 4.0

90-94 A 4.0
85-89 A- 3.7
Good 80-84 B+ 3.3
75-79 B 3.0
70-74 B- 2.7
Satisfactory 66-69 C+ 2.3
62-65 C 2.0
58-61 C- 1.7
Poor 54-57 D+ 1.3
Minimal Pass 50-53 D 1.0
Fail 0-49 F 0.0

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 OUTLINE OF TOPICS

Date Topic Reading

Week 1: Determining Deviance: Bereska, Ch 1.

(Sep. 4 & 6) - Who is Deviant?
- Studying Deviance

Week 2: Explaining Deviance: The Act Bereska, Ch 2.

(Sep. 9,11 - Theorizing Deviance
& 13) - Why Do People Become Deviant
Week 3: Explaining Deviance: The Perception, Reaction, and Bereska, Ch 3
(Sep. 16, 18 Power-
& 20) - Non-positivist Theorizing
- Interpretive Theories-Understandings of “Deviance”
and “Normality”
Week 4: Explaining Deviance: The Perception, Reaction, and
(Sep. 23, 25 Power- Continued
& 27) First Mid-term Exam (Friday, Sept. 27) Covers Chs. 1- 3
Week 5: Deviance 2.0: The Role of the Media Bereska, Ch 4
(Sep. 30, & - Why Media Matter
Oct. 2 & 4) - Studying the Media
- The Media—Deviance Nexus
Week 6: “Deviant” and “Normal” Sexuality Bereska, Ch. 5
(Oct. 7, 9 & - What is Deviant Sexuality?
11) - The Cultural and Historical Construction of Sexuality
- Sexual Culture Today
- Sexuality and the “Deviance Dance”
Week 7: The Troubling and Troubled World of Youth Bereska, Ch. 6
(Oct. 16 & - Deviant Youth: “Troubling” Youth
18) - Deviant Youth: “Troubled” Youth
- Youth “At Risk”
- Aren’t All Youth Deviant?
Week 8: The Troubling and Troubled World of Youth, Continued
(Oct. 21, 23
& 25) Second Mid-Term Exam (Friday, Oct. 25) Covers Chs. 4-6

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Week 9: Looking Deviant: Physical Appearance Bereska, Ch 7
(Oct. 28 & - Voluntary and Involuntary Physical Appearance
30, and - Body Modification
Nov. 1) - “Too Fat,” “Too Thin,” and “Ideal”
Week 10: Mental Disorders: Bereska Ch 8.
(Nov. 4, 6 - Who Has Mental Disorders?
& 8) - The Costs of Mental Illness
- Controlling Mental Disorder: Stigmatization and
Medicalization
- The Deviance Dance: Resisting Stigmatization,
Inadequate Care and Psychiatry Itself

Week 11: Reading Week: No Classes!

Nov. 13,
& 15
Week 12: What Do You Believe? Religion, Science, and Deviance: Bereska, Ch 9.
Nov. 18, 20 - Religion
& 22 - Science

Week 13: The “Deviance Dance” Continues Bereska, Ch 10.

Nov. 25, 27 - The Objective-Subjective Continuum
& 29 - Social Typing, Social Control, and Powerful Groups
- The “Deviance Dance”
- The Search for Standards
Week 14: Review
Dec. 2, 4 &
6
Week 15: Exam Week: Covers Chs. 7-10
Final Exam Date & Time: Tuesday Dec. 17 @ 2:00 PM
(Tentative: check Bear tracks for confirmation)

NOTE VERY CAREFULLY: (1) THIS OUTLINE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. (2)

Please avoid constantly asking to be informed of material already explicitly stated in this
syllabus--e.g., (a) dates of tests, (b) chapters, etc to be covered in tests, (c) percentages
("grades") assigned to tests, and (d) the cut-off points for converting percentage grades to
letter grades.

Disclaimer: The information in this Course Outline regarding lecture schedule is subject to change; any
changes will be announced in class. Note: Videos and documentaries listed in this syllabus will be showed as
time permits. Some of them may not be showed because of time.

"Policy about course outlines can be found in Course Requirements, Evaluation

Procedures and Grading of the University Calendar".