Deviance and Society

In sociology, deviance is the term used to describe actions or identities that differ from group norms. It encompasses everything from serious crimes (e.g. murder) to non-criminal, but frowned upon, behavior (e.g. talking loudly at the movies). Why do certain actions and identities become labeled as deviant and others do not? In what ways do societal conceptions of deviance change over time? How do people labeled as deviant manage their deviant identities and deal with any associated stigma? In this course, students will think about and explore how sociology and related disciplines have approached the study of social deviance and consider what can be learned about societies by looking at the way they construct deviant identities and acts. Prerequisite: successful completion of an introductory Sociology course or consent of the instructor.