I cannot provide specific information about a particular course, "CJ 3348 Deviant Behavior," taught by Lagreta McClain at Troy University. This is due to privacy concerns and the lack of publicly available, detailed course syllabi. Information about specific university courses is often only accessible to enrolled students.
However, I can offer general information about the topic of deviant behavior as it is commonly studied in criminology and sociology courses. This overview should provide a useful framework for understanding the subject matter typically covered in such a class.
Understanding Deviant Behavior: A Comprehensive Overview
Deviant behavior, a core concept in sociology and criminology, refers to actions that violate social norms and expectations within a particular society or group. It's crucial to understand that what constitutes "deviant" behavior is highly contextual and varies significantly across cultures and time periods. An action considered deviant in one context might be perfectly acceptable in another.
What are some key concepts explored in Deviant Behavior courses?
1. Defining Deviance: This often involves exploring different sociological perspectives, such as functionalism (Durkheim's concept of anomie), conflict theory (focus on power and social control), and symbolic interactionism (labeling theory and the self-fulfilling prophecy). Understanding how societies define and react to deviance is paramount.
2. Types of Deviant Behavior: This section typically covers a broad range of behaviors, including crime (violent crime, property crime, white-collar crime), substance abuse, mental illness, sexual deviance, and various forms of social deviance (e.g., homelessness, poverty, body modification).
3. Social Control and Sanctions: This explores the mechanisms societies use to regulate behavior and maintain social order. This includes formal social control (laws, police, courts) and informal social control (social norms, peer pressure, family). The course will likely examine the effectiveness of different types of sanctions (punishment, rehabilitation, restorative justice).
4. Theories of Deviance: This is often a major focus, covering various theoretical approaches to explaining why people engage in deviant behavior. These theories might include:
- Strain Theory: Focuses on the strain between societal goals and the means to achieve them.
- Social Learning Theory: Emphasizes the role of learning and observation in the acquisition of deviant behaviors.
- Labeling Theory: Examines how societal reactions shape individual identities and behavior.
- Control Theory: Focuses on the factors that prevent individuals from engaging in deviant behavior.
- Conflict Theory: Explores how power structures and inequalities influence the definition and enforcement of deviance.
5. The Impact of Deviance on Society: This section would likely discuss the consequences of deviant behavior on individuals, communities, and society as a whole, including economic costs, social disruption, and changes in social norms.
6. Methods of Studying Deviance: This would cover the research methods used to study deviant behavior, such as surveys, interviews, participant observation, and statistical analysis.
7. Social Policy and Deviance: This often includes examining approaches to address and prevent deviant behavior, such as crime prevention strategies, drug treatment programs, and mental health services.
This provides a general overview. To gain specific details regarding the curriculum of CJ 3348 at Troy University, you would need to contact the university directly or consult the university's course catalog.
