Overview
When we think of “deviance,” we often consider it to be a quality of distinct groups of Others who cause problems for society. However, we must ask ourselves who it is that causes such problems, and indeed, why their actions are considered problematic in the first place. Looking across cultures and over time reveals that actions considered “deviant” in one culture or at one time in history may not be viewed as such in another culture or at a different time. In fact, even if we focus attention on a single culture at a specific time in history, there will be varied points of view as to whether a certain behaviour is deviant or not.
Therefore, it may be more accurate to think of deviance as a process rather than a quality. Furthermore, it is a process in which each of us is a participant. Each of us has been subjected to measures of social control, either in response to being perceived as deviant or in order to prevent us from becoming deviant to begin with. We even subject ourselves to measures of social control, whether by joining a self-help group to address issues of substance use or weighing ourselves to see if we have gained or lost weight. Conversely, each of us also socially types others as deviant and subjects them to measures of social control, whether formally via our occupations or informally in our casual interactions with friends, family members, co-workers, or strangers. This course introduces you to the sociology of deviance as an area of study.
Evaluation
Your final grade in SOCI 365 is based on the grades you achieve on the Unit Quizzes, the Midterm Assignment, the Critical Analysis Assignment, and the Final Assignment. To receive credit for this course, you must achieve a minimum of 60% on the final assignment and a minimum composite course grade of C- (60 percent). The chart below summarizes the course activities and the credit weight associated with each.
| Activity | Weight |
| Unit Quizzes (10 @ 2% each) | 20% |
| Midterm Assignment | 25% |
| Critical Analysis Assignment | 25% |
| Final Assignment | 30% |
| Total | 100% |
Materials
Digital course materials
Links to the following course materials will be made available in the course:
Bereska, T. M. (2022). Deviance, conformity, and social control in Canada (6th ed.). Pearson Canada.
Other Materials
All other course materials can be found online.
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the SOCI 365 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least C- (60 percent) on the online challenge examination.
The challenge examination for this course must be taken online with an 小优视频-approved exam invigilator at an approved invigilation centre. It is your responsibility to ensure your chosen invigilation centre can accommodate online exams. For a list of invigilators who can accommodate online exams, visit the Exam Invigilation Network. Challenge for credit course registration form