Bernard Cohen, Queens College, CUNY



Professor Bernard Cohen, Queens College, CUNY

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(September 2, 2008)

Deviance and Social Pathology: 3credits

(PLAS Course Development Template)

Prerequisites: Sociology 101

Existing course: Revision of Sociology 213 (offered each semester)

Department: Sociology

Department Contact: Professor Bernard Cohen

Area of Knowledge and Inquiry: CV Context of Experience: WC

I. Course Description

A variety of definitions, key theoretical perspectives, and concepts are presented and analyzed in an effort to increase knowledge and understanding of the numerous ways that deviant behavior may be defined, explained and interpreted. Although strong emphasis is placed on sociological determinants of deviant behavior, biological and psychological factors also are examined in order to present students with a balanced view and appreciation of the complexity and diversity of this subject. Each student is encouraged to formulate his/her conceptualization of deviance and assess each position and orientation. Several methodological approaches are illustrated in order to familiarize students with various limitations of these procedures. Ethnographic procedures are selected for detailed analysis. The student is shown how to conduct research on deviant behavior emphasizing ways in which theories, concepts, and policy recommendations are formulated from data. Prostitution, drug abuse and mental illness are utilized as the primary illustrative examples. One major feature of this course is its cross-cultural and global perspective. Current research examining how police deal with quality-of-life offenses in a variety of cultures, including the Bronx, N.Y., the Alverado-Lake area in Los Angeles, Frankfurt, Germany and Hong Kong, China is a major feature of this course.

II. Justification

The justification and objectives for this course help people develop respect for human dignity in all individuals of all cultures, backgrounds, and orientations. These objectives strive to:

Broaden our understanding of the meanings of deviant behavior.

Identify various key theoretical perspectives concerning deviant behavior and integrate them.

Examine how the social structure impacts on deviance and how deviance affects the social structure.

Learn a variety of methodological techniques for conducting research on deviant behavior.

Determine when, where and how it is useful to treat deviant behavior.

Develop skills in expressing, interpreting, and using information and ideas.

III. Course Materials, Assignments, and Activities : (Readings will be selected from the list below and taken together highlight the objectives of this course for PLAS.)

(Note: Readings must be completed when the subject is presented in class.)

1. Asylums: Essays on the Social Situation of Mental Patients. Erving Goffman,

Garden City, NY: Anchor Books, 1961. Pp.171-321 This work deals with the

medical model and illustrates how total institutions and social structure contribute

to deviant behavior.

2. Crime and Human Nature. James Q. Wilson and Richard Herrnstein, N.Y: Simon

& Schuster, Inc., 1985. Chapters 1 and 2 on theory and chapter 15 on altering

behavior. This volume focuses on an in-depth integrated bio-psychological theory

of deviant behavior especially crime.

3. The Outsiders, Howard Becker, NY: The Free Press, 1963. Chapters 1 and 2 on

definitions of deviance, and chapter 8 on theoretical perspectives. The Outsiders

focuses on the Labelling Perspective: Key concepts related to this theoretical

perspective include stigma, self-concept, self-fulfilling prophecy, rejection, role,

subculture, master status, subordinate status, and moral entrepreneur.

4. Theories of Deviance. Stuart H. Traub and Craig B. Little (eds.), Itasca,

IL: Peacock, Latest ed. These biological, psychological, sociological, and cultural

theories attempt explanation of why individuals engage in deviant behavior.

5. “Towards an Interactional Theory of Delinquency,” Terence P. Thornberry

Criminology, 25:863-891. This theory illustrates integration

of learning and social structural theories on deviance.

6. The Sociology of Deviant Behavior. Marshal Clinard and Robert Meier (eds,),

New York, N.Y., 13th edition, 2008. This book demonstrates the major differences

between proponents and opponents of the medical model.

IV. Assessment

The form of assessment will be a product of the instructor and faculty representatives of the department of sociology. Evidence of performance and success will include examinations, student work, level of participation, and perhaps a simple, short before- after questionnaire. Oversight will be conducted by course instructors and department.

V. Administration

The course instructor, department chair and faculty committee will oversee this course with reference to revisions and assessment. This course can be taught by full time faculty and adjuncts.

VI. Syllabus

The full course syllabus is attached.

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