deviance

Discusses the development of social ecological theory, and provides a primer for broader discussion of Social Disorganization, and its application to other incidents and contexts of deviance.

Today we are concluding our theory ‘primer’ and moving into our first case study of what many criminologists and theorists call “minor” or “routine” deviance. We will be considering the subculture of Star Trek fans, commonly called Trekkies or Trekkers (see discussion debating difference). This is an interesting first foray into the idea of subculture – and in particular, the expansion of subcultural behaviors. This type of fandom also raises questions about deviance. Are Trekkies deviant?

This video recaps items covered in class on January 28th, especially theoretical paradigms, classical criminology, positivism and social constructionist theory. Looking for the password? You can get it via eLearning within the video folder, or in class.

As discussed in our very first introductory class, the idea of deviance is one that is variably defined and understood. If you survey the host of (often simplistic) definitions offered by textbooks, dictionaries and other resources, this will be come evident immediately.

Of course, the whole point of studying the incidence of deviant behavior over the course of this term, is to understand how deviance is a living concept, one that is constantly changing and evolving based on social contexts. So a glossary definition simply would not suffice anyhow.