SOCY1030

Deviance and Social Control

This course explores the social construction of boundaries between the "normal" and the so-called "deviant." It examines the struggle between powerful forms of social control and what these exclude, silence, or marginalize. Of particular concern is the relationship between dominant forms of religious, legal, and medical social control and gendered, racialized, and global economic structures of power. The course provides an in-depth historical analysis of theoretical perspectives used to explain, study, and control deviance, as well as ethical-political inquiry into such matters as religious excess, crime, madness, corporate and governmental wrong-doing, and sexual subcultures that resist dominant social norms.

Course overview

Department
Sociology
School
MCAS
Credits
3

Requirements fulfilled

  • University Core: Cultural Diversity (All undergraduates)
  • University Core: Social Science (All undergraduates)

Requirement eligibility can vary by school, cohort, and section. Confirm the selected section in EagleApps or with an advisor.

Official evaluation summary

3.53 / 5

Based on 409 aggregate responses from BC Avalanche/Blue evaluations.

Data freshness

Course and evaluation data last updated 2026-07-23. Source details and limitations are documented in Data Sources and Methodology.

Instructors

  • Stephen J Pfohl
    Fall 2026
  • Deniz Uyan
    Summer 2025, Summer 2024, Summer 2023, Summer 2022 · Official rating 4.36/5
  • Stephen Pfohl
    Spring 2026, Fall 2025, Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Spring 2023, Fall 2022, Spring 2022, Fall 2021 · Official rating 3.75/5

Sections

  • Section 01
    Fall 2026 · Stephen J Pfohl · Stokes Hall 295S TuTh 10:30AM-11:45AM · Offered