Office Phone: 254-519-5441 for Office; 940-600-9193 (Text for Quicker Response)

1

Texas A&M

University

Central Texas

Professor: Ariel M. Cooksey, M.A.

Office Phone: 254-519-5441 for office; 940-600-9193 (text for quicker response)

E-mail:

Office Hours: By appointment only

Mode of Instruction and Course Access:This course is a 100% online course and uses TAMUCT Blackboard Learn system ( You will use the Blackboard username and password communicated to you separately to logon to this system. (As of Spring 2012, Texas A&M Central Texas uses its own Blackboard system and the usernames and passwords that you used to logon to Tarleton State University’s Blackboard are no longer valid.). The student accesses Bb on the TAMUCT website (“Quick Links”). The student may get assistance 24/7 by phone.

Student/Instructor Interaction:Please allow 48 hours for instructor response to e-mail inquiries. Office hours may be scheduled by e-mail for phone or Skype.

UNILERT

Emergency Warning System for Texas A&M University – Central Texas
UNILERT is an emergency notification service that gives Texas A&M University-Central Texas the ability to communicate health and safety emergency information quickly via email, text message, and social media. All students are automatically enrolled in UNILERT through their myCT email account. Connect at to change where you receive your alerts or to opt out. By staying enrolled in UNILERT, university officials can quickly pass on safety-related information, regardless of your location.

Course Overview

A comparative study of deviant behavior and social control as a social institution with emphasis on formation, functions, maintenance, and cultural implications.

Course Objectives

Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Students will develop knowledge as it applies to the full scope of the field of deviant behavior and social control.

1. Students will examine the changing definitions of American families.

1. Students will learn how to apply frameworks to various types of family situations.

1. Students will learn how race, social class, gender, age, and sexual orientation affect people’s experiences in families.

Competency Goals Statements:

1. Students will learn how to analyze family situations, including their own.

1. Students’ critical thinking skills will be enhanced to the extent that they learn about themselves, and their social worlds.

1. Students will be able to interpret social statistics such as the refined divorce rate, sex ratio, and fertility rate.

1. Students will be able to use technical sociology vocabulary.

1. Students will use and develop writing skills by such projects as essay exams, reflection papers, a book review and writing a research paper.

1. Student’s online skills will be enhanced via online discussions, postings, and uploading paper assignments.

Required Texts

Main Text

Adler and Adler. 2015. Constructions of Deviance, 7th edition. Penguin Press.

Erikson, K. 2004. Wayward Puritans. ISBN-13:978-0205424030 (This book is out of print so you will need to seek an alternative provider aside from the bookstore)

Course Requirements

1.Case Study (100 points) - Due FridayDecember 2nd by 11:59 p.m. : You will choose one topic or person relevant to sociology of deviance and complete a case study that examines aspects of that topic that you find important.

• Your case study should be no less than 10 pages in length.This length requirement does not include your title page, abstract or your reference page.
• You must use no less than 7 - 10 scholarly references, but feel free to use more. Scholarly references are those found in social science journals or other scholarly journals. You can also utilize a book or two but the main focus should be on finding sources that have researched your topic.
• You must use ASA (American Sociological Association) or APA as your reference style. Please let me know if you have any questions.
• I will not accept references found on the internet, with the exception of websites ending in .gov. and/or .edu. If you use internet sources such as these, they must be properly referenced in the text of your paper and in your reference page. As I stated above, your references must be scholarly research articles or more specifically, peer reviewed articles. If you want to use a reference such as a website and you are unsure if it is acceptable, please feel free to discuss the reference with me.
• In addition, I do not accept “recycled” papers or more specifically, papers that have been written for another class!
• Please submit your double-spaced paper in Times New Roman using 12-point font.
• Each page should be no less than 250 words for a total of no less than 2500 words.
• You will submit your papers through Turnitin.com which will be available through the Blackboard system. You do not want your paper to go beyond 20%. Please let me know if you have any questions about percentages.
• The cover page shall include the following information, centered on the page:

An Examination of (the topic)

John Smith (student’s name)

RSK 420-Religious Terrorism

Texas A&M University-Central Texas

The words “An Examination of” may be omitted, in accordance with APA guidelines. The student shall use the “running head” feature of APA.

Multimedia Posts & Responses (200 points)-Due Saturdays at 11:59 p.m.: In this course, participation will take the form of postings on a multimedia discussion board. The class is oriented on a ‘Monday-Saturday’ schedule. Each student will be required to post a link to a relevant multimedia representation. These may include recent news articles or blog posts, songs, movie clips, stand-up comedy, interviews, artwork, etc., and you will explain how the multimedia dialogues with our course readings for that week in a minimum of two paragraphs. A new Multimedia Board will be available for each week’s unit. Your postings must demonstrate that you are reading the assigned material, and be a significant substantive contribution where you raise issues, ask a pertinent question, or reflect on contemporary developments in real life which bear on the topic of our reading. Be creative and have fun with this!

Discussion Board Posts and Responses (200 points): Each week you will be required to post two critical thinking questions on a designated discussion board. These questions are intended to expand the conversation arising from our reading. You will then respond to two other students’ questions with no fewer than two paragraphs. This assignment, unlike the multimedia posts, do not require a chapter summary, just two critical thinking questions. Your responses should be thoughtful and refer to your text. Your questions must be posted no later than Wednesday at 11:59 p.m., and your responses no later than Saturday at 11:59 p.m.

*** Off topic and inappropriate postswill receive no points. Postings which are not made within the week they are assigned will receive zero points. A strong record of additional postings (beyond your two minimum posts) will be to your benefit if you have a borderline grade at the end of the semester. I have provided a guide to DB posts under Important Info that will give examples of inappropriate responses so you may avoid the pitfalls.

In your tentative schedule below, you will find the dates and times when postings open for discussion and when they are no longer available. “No longer available” means that once the discussion is closed, you will not be able to make up those points. Weekly posts will open up on Mondays at 8:00am and close on Thursdays at midnight. Please do your best not to post at the last minute. Doing so does not allow other students to respond to your posting. Keep up with your readings and pace yourself so that you are not rushing around at the last minute.

I will always grade your posts the week that they are due so that you can go back and respond to my comments and/or questions. Please check back for my comments, providing an answer as appropriate. Responding to my posts and your classmates’ posts enhances the learning process. Remember that discussions are not only about earning points but about learning the material. It is your education and you will get out of it what you put in! 

For issues related to course content and requirements, contact your instructor.

**ALL GRADING RUBRICS ARE LOCATED AT THE END OF THIS SYLLABUS**

Grading Scale

A = 450-500 (Excellent)

B = 400-449 (Better than Average)

C = 350-399 (Average)

F = 349 and below (Failing)

All student grades will be posted on the Blackboard Grade book and students should monitor their grading status through this tool. Grades will be posted within one week of submission date.

Texas A&M University Central Texas is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate, master's, and specialist degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of A&M-Central Texas.

TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS AND SUPPORT

Technology Requirements

This course will use the TAMUCT Blackboard Learn learning management system for class communications, content distribution, and assessments.

Logon to to access the course.

Username: Your MyCT username (xx123 or everything before the "@" in your MyCT e-mail address)

Initial password: Your MyCT password

For this course, you will need reliable and frequent access to a computer and to the Internet. You will also need a headset with a microphone or speakers and a microphone to be able to listen to online resources and conduct other activities in the course. If you do not have frequent and reliable access to a computer with Internet connection, please consider dropping this course or contact me (your email and phone number) to discuss your situation.

Blackboard supports the most common operating systems:

PC: Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista

Mac: Mac OS X 10.9 (Mavericks), 10.8 (Mountain Lion), and 10.7 (Lion)

NOTE: Computers using Windows XP, Windows 8 RT and OS X 10.6 or lower are NO longer supported

Check browser and computer compatibility by following the “Browser Check” link on the TAMUCT Blackboard logon page. ( This is a CRITICAL step as these settings are important for when you take an exam or submit an assignment.

Upon logging on to Blackboard Learn, you will see a link to Blackboard Student Orientation under My Courses tab. Click on that link and study the materials in this orientation course. The new Blackboard is a brand-new interface and you will have to come up to speed with it really quickly. This orientation course will help you get there. There is also a link to Blackboard Help from inside the course on the left-hand menu bar. The first week of the course includes activities and assignments that will help you get up to speed with navigation, sending and receiving messages and discussion posts, and submitting an assignment. Your ability to function within the Blackboard system will facilitate your success in this course.

Technology issues are not an excuse for missing a course requirement – make sure your computer is configured correctly and address issues well in advance of deadlines.

Technology Support

For technology issues, students should contact Help Desk Central. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:

Email:

Phone: (254) 519-5466

Web Chat:

When calling for support please let your support technician know you are a TAMUCT student.

For issues related to course content and requirements, contact your instructor.

Tentative Course Schedule

Date Topics/Activities Readings Assignments Due

8/22 / Defining Deviance / Syllabus, Part 1 / Introduction post due by Saturday by 11:59 p.m.
8/28 / Theories of Deviance / Part 2 / DB1 due by 11:59 p.m.
9/5 / Studying Deviance / Part 3 / DB2 due by 11:59 p.m.
9/12 / Constructing Deviance / Part 4 / Multimedia 1 due by 11:59 p.m.
9/19 / Deviant Identity / Part 5: 23-28 / DB3 due by 11:59 p.m.
9/26 / Deviant Identity / Part 5: 29-33 / Multimedia 2 due by 11:59 p.m.
10/3 / The Social Organization of Deviance / Part 6 / DB4 due by 11:59 p.m.
Multimedia 3 due by 11:59 p.m.
10/10 / Structure of the Deviant Act / Part 7:40-42 / DB5 due by 11:59 p.m.
10/17 / Structure of the Deviant Act / Part 7: 43-44 / DB6 due by 11:59 p.m.
Multimedia 4 due by 11:59 p.m.
10/24 / Deviant Careers / Part 8: 45-47 / DB7 due by 11:59 p.m.
Multimedia 5 due by 11:59 p.m.
11/7 / Deviant Careers / Part 8: 48-49 / DB8 due by 11:59 p.m.
Multimedia 6 due by 11:59 p.m.
11/14 / Wayward Puritans / Preface, Chapter 1, 2 / DB9 due by 11:59 p.m.
Multimedia 7 due by 11:59 p.m.
11/21 / Thanksgiving Break!
11/28 / Research paper work / Research paper due Friday December 2nd by 11:59 p.m.
Multimedia 8 due by 11:59 p.m.
12/5 / Wayward Puritans / Chapter 3, 4 / DB 10 due by 11:59 p.m.
Multimedia 9 due by 11:59 p.m.
12/8 / Wayward Puritans / Chapter 5, Afterward / Multimedia 10 due Wednesday by 11:59 p.m.

*Professor reserves the right to amend this syllabus at any time.

COURSE AND UNIVERSITY PROCEDURES AND POLICIES

Drop Policy

If you discover that you need to drop this class, you must go to the Records Office and ask for the necessary paperwork. Professors cannot drop students; this is always the responsibility of the student. The record’s office will provide a deadline for which the form must be returned, completed and signed. Once you return the signed form to the records office and wait 24 hours, you must go into Duck Trax and confirm that you are no longer enrolled. Should you still be enrolled, FOLLOW-UP with the records office immediately? You are to attend class until the procedure is complete to avoid penalty for absence. Should you miss the deadline or fail to follow the procedure, you will receive an F in the course.

Academic Integrity

Texas A&M University - Central Texas expects all students to maintain high standards of honor in personal and scholarly conduct. Any deviation from this expectation may result in a minimum of a failing grade for the assignment and potentially a failing grade for the course. All academic dishonesty concerns will be reported to the university's Office of Student Conduct. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on an examination or other academic work, plagiarism and improper citation of sources, using another student's work, collusion, and the abuse of resource materials. When in doubt on collaboration, citation, or any issue, please contact me before taking a course of action. More information can be found at

Disability Support Services

At Texas A&M University – Central Texas, we value an inclusive learning environment where every student has an equal chance to succeed and has the right to an education that is barrier-free. The Office of Disability Support and Access is responsible for ensuring that students with a disability enjoy equal access to the University's programs, services and activities. Some aspects of this course or the way the course is taught may present barriers to learning due to a disability. If you feel this is the case, please contact Disability Support and Access at(254) 501-5831in Warrior Hall, Ste. 212. For more information, please visit their website at Any information you provide is private and confidential and will be treated as such.

Tutoring

Tutoring is available to all TAMUCT students, both on-campus and online. Subjects tutored include Accounting, Finance, Statistics, Mathematics, and Writing. Tutors are available at the Tutoring Center in Warrior Hall, Room 111. Visit and click "Tutoring Support" for tutor schedules and contact info. If you have questions, need to schedule a tutoring session, or if you're interested in becoming a tutor, contact Academic Support Programs at 254-501-5830 or by emailing .

Chat live with a tutor 24/7 for almost any subject on your computer! Tutor.com is an online tutoring platform that enables TAMUCT students to log-in and receive FREE online tutoring and writing support. This tool provides tutoring in Mathematics, Writing, Career Writing, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Spanish, Calculus, and Statistics. To access Tutor.com, log into your Blackboard account and click "Online Tutoring."

The University Writing Center

The University Writing Center at Texas A&M University-Central Texas is a free workspace open to all TAMUCT students. The UWC is located in 416 Warrior Hall. The center is open 1pm-6pm Monday-Thursday during the summer semester. Students may work independently in the UWC by checking out a laptop that runs the Microsoft Office suite and connects to WIFI, or by consulting our resources on writing, including all of the relevant style guides. Students may also arrange a one-on-one session with a trained and experienced writing tutor. Tutorials can be arranged by visiting the UWC. Tutors are prepared to help writers of all levels and abilities at any stage of the writing process. Sessions typically last between 20-30 minutes. While tutors will not write, edit, or grade papers, they will help students develop more effective invention and revision strategies.

Library Services

Library distance education services aims to make available quality assistance to A&M-Central Texas students seeking information sources remotely by providing digital reference, online information literacy tutorials, and digital research materials. Much of the TAMUCT collection is available instantly from home. This includes over half of the library's book collection, as well as approximately 25,000 electronic journals and 200 online databases. Library Distance Education Services are outlined and accessed at:

Information literacy focuses on research skills which prepare individuals to live and work in an information-centered society. Librarians will work with students in the development of critical reasoning, ethical use of information, and the appropriate use of secondary research techniques. Help may include, but is not limited to: the exploration of information resources such as library collections, the identification of appropriate materials, and the execution of effective search strategies. Library Resources are outlined and accessed at:

Class Policies

Incomplete Grades: I DO NOT GIVE OUT INCOMPLETE GRADES. ALL ASSIGNMENTS AND TESTS ARE DUE ON THE DATES OUTLINED IN THE SYLLABUS.

Late Work: I will NOT be accepting late work under any circumstances. If you are turning in assignments, they must be uploaded under the assignments tab at the specified due date and time. If you miss the due date and time, the Blackboard system will not allow you to upload your assignment. If you are late on your assignment, I will not accept that assignment through email. You will earn a zero for the assignment and/or paper. In addition, please do not cut/paste your assignment into the assignment box in Blackboard. I will only accept work that is uploaded to Blackboard attached in a Word document or Rich Text File.