SOCI 3352 SOCIAL STATISTICS (Section 001)

SOCI 3348, Section 001 – The Sociology of RiskSpring 2012

Course Description

This course will examine how individuals and groups define and manage risk and uncertainty in everyday life. We will discuss differences in risk tolerance, when and why risk-taking behavior is encouraged and rewarded, when and why it is discouraged and punished, how risks and rewards are distributed, and the consequences of misestimating risk.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:(1)explain major theories of risk (e.g., Edgework, Risk Society, and Governmentality), (2) explain changes in the meaning of risk, (3)explain why individuals engage in voluntary risk-taking behaviors, and (4) explain how and for what purpose various social actors define risk (e.g., the government, the scientific community, etc.).

Required Materials

Books

Barthelme, Frederick and Steven Barthelme. 2001. Double Down: Reflections on Gambling and Loss. Mariner Books. ISBN:0-395-95429-0

Sheridan,Lynnaire M. 2009. “I Know it’s Dangerous:” Why Mexicans Risk their Lives to Cross the Border. The University of Arizona Press. ISBN: 978-0-8165-2857-8

Available in the UTA Library Course Reserves(

Canaan, Joyce E. 1996. “‘One Thing Leads to Another’: Drinking, Fighting and Working-class Masculinities.” Pp. 114-125 in Understanding Masculinities: Social Relations and Cultural Arenas, Edited by Mairtin Mac an Ghaill. Buckingham: Open University Press.

Fine, Gary Alan and Bill Ellis. 2010. “Migrants: Disease in the Body Politic.” Pp. 73-94 in The Global Grapevine: Why Rumors of Terrorism, Immigration, and Trade Matter. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Muchembled, Robert. 1985. “A World of Insecurity and Fears.” Pp. 14-42 in Popular Culture and Elite Culture in France 1400-1750, by Robert Muchembled, Translated by Lydia Cochrane. Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University Press.

Available online through the UTA Library *

Brents, Barbara G. and Kathryn Hausbeck. 2001. “State-sanctioned Sex: Negotiating Formal and Informal Regulatory Practices in Nevada Brothels.” Sociological Perspectives 44(3): 307-332.

Cater, Carl I. 2006. “Playing with Risk? Participant Perceptions of Risk and Management Implications in Adventure Tourism.” Tourism Management 27: 317-325.

Handwerker, Lisa. 1994. “Medical Risk: Implicating Poor Pregnant Women.” Social Science and Medicine 38(5): 665-675.

Edwards, Nelta. 2008. “An Ounce of Precaution.” Contexts 7(2): 26-30.

Lupton, Deborah and John Tulloch. 2002. “‘Life Would be Pretty Dull Without Risk’: Voluntary Risk-taking and Its Pleasures.” Health, Risk, & Society 4(2): 113-124.

Lyng, Stephen. 1990. “Edgework: A Social Psychological Analysis of Voluntary Risk Taking.” American Journal of Sociology 95(4): 851-886.

Pauwels, Luc. 2009. “The Urban Canvas.” Contexts 8(4): 54-61.

Sanders, Teela. 2004. “A Continuum of Risk? The Management of Health, Physical and Emotional Risks by Female Sex Workers.” Sociology of Health & Illness 26(5) 557-574.

Slovic, Paul. 1987. “Perception of Risk.” Science 236(4799): 280-285.

Schwalbe, Michael. 2008. “Smoke Damage.” Contexts 7(2): 50-57.

* To find these articles, search for the journal name (italicized above) in the ‘Books and More’ section of the UTA Library web page. Ask if you need help and do not wait until the last minute.

Course Requirements

Attendance:Class attendance counts toward your final grade. I will take attendance every day! Students are allowed two free absences without penalty. University authorized absences do not count against the two free absences (see Aside from university authorized absences, there are no excused absences.

In-class exercises:I will occasionally incorporate in-class exercises into our class sessions (e.g., short writing assignments, etc.). I will collect these before the end of the class. If you miss class, you will NOT be permitted to complete a make-up exercise.

Visual sociology project: All students will create a photo essay documenting representations of risk in everyday life.

Exams:Exams may involve a combination of multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions. Exams will begin promptly. No additional time to complete an exam will be allowed for those tardy to exams. I will only reschedule a missed exam under extreme conditions (i.e., a death in the immediate family, an illness or accident requiring medical attention, an automobile accident on the way to class, and a court appearance). Documentation of the cause of the missed exam must be presented in writing within one week of the exam date. If events do not warrant a make-up exam, a grade of 0 will be recorded for that exam.

Drop Policy: Students may drop or swap (adding and dropping a class concurrently) classes through self-service in MyMav from the beginning of the registration period through the late registration period. After the late registration period, students must see their academic advisor to drop a class or withdraw. Undeclared students must see an advisor in the University Advising Center. Drops can continue through a point two-thirds of the way through the term or session. It is the student's responsibility to officially withdraw if they do not plan to attend after registering. Students will not be automatically dropped for non-attendance. Repayment of certain types of financial aid administered through the University may be required as the result of dropping classes or withdrawing. Contact the Financial Aid Office for more information. The census date is February 1. The final drop date is March 30. Failure to officially drop the course will result in the grade of F.

Americans with Disabilities Act: The University of Texas at Arlington is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of all federal equal opportunity legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). All instructors at UT Arlington are required by law to provide "reasonable accommodations" to students with disabilities, so as not to discriminate on the basis of that disability. Any student requiring an accommodation for this course must provide the instructor with official documentation in the form of a letter certified by the staff in the Office for Students with Disabilities, University Hall 102. Only those students who have officially documented a need for an accommodation will have their request honored. Information regarding diagnostic criteria and policies for obtaining disability-based academic accommodations can be found at or by calling the Office for Students with Disabilities at (817) 272-3364.

Academic Integrity: It is the philosophy of The University of Texas at Arlington that academic dishonesty is a completely unacceptable mode of conduct and will not be tolerated in any form. All persons involved in academic dishonesty will be disciplined in accordance with University regulations and procedures. Discipline may include suspension or expulsion from the University. According to the UT System Regents’ Rule 50101, §2.2, "Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the attempt to commit such acts."

Student Support Services Available:The University of Texas at Arlington provides a variety of resources and programs designed to help students develop academic skills, deal with personal situations, and better understand concepts and information related to their courses. These resources include tutoring, major-based learning centers, developmental education, advising and mentoring, personal counseling, and federally funded programs. For individualized referrals to resources for any reason, students may contact the Maverick Resource Hotline at 817-272-6107 or visit for more information.

Electronic Communication Policy: The University of Texas at Arlington has adopted the University “MavMail” address as the sole official means of communication with students. MavMail is used to remind students of important deadlines, advertise events and activities, and permit the University to conduct official transactions exclusively by electronic means. For example, important information concerning registration, financial aid, payment of bills, and graduation are now sent to students through the MavMail system. All students are assigned a MavMail account. Students are responsible for checking their MavMail regularly. Information about activating and using MavMail is available at There is no additional charge to students for using this account, and it remains active even after they graduate from UT Arlington.

To obtain your NetID or for logon assistance, visit If you are unable to resolve your issue from the Self-Service website, contact the Helpdesk .

Other Important Information

I will respond to your e-mail and phone messages. If I do not respond to your e-mail or phone message in a reasonable amount of time, then you should assume that I did not receive your message.

Students are responsible for all announcements and information provided during the lectures and through e-mail. If you must miss a lecture, be sure to get a copy of the notes from someone else.

It is unfair to everyone if I make exceptions to the policies described in this syllabus...so I will not make exceptions.

I use the full grade distribution: A, B, C, D, and F. Remember that a grade of C means ‘fair,’ which I interpret as ‘average’ (i.e., acceptable work, but not above average).

Course Calendar(dates are subject to change)

1