SOC 211 Deviance, Power, and Prisons

This course examines the complex relationships between social deviance, power, and the prison system through a sociological lens. Students will explore how societies define and regulate deviance, the role of power in shaping these definitions, and the ways in which social control is enforced. Special attention will be given to the historical development of prisons, the rise of mass incarceration, and the systemic inequalities embedded in these processes. By the end of the course, students will have background knowledge to identify and understand the social construction of deviance and contribute to informed debates on justice and social reform. This course is ideal for those interested in sociology, criminology, social justice, and public policy.

Credits

4

Prerequisite

N/A

General Education Requirements

Social Science

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Analyze sociological approaches to theorizing social deviance

2. Examine the intersections of power and social control

3. Contextualize the role of prisons in society

4. Engage with debates on crime and punishment

5. Reflect on alternatives to incarceration, punishment and the movement for prison reform