Monday, March 23, 2009

Homework for Wednesday, March 25

Both the Milgram experiment and the prison experiment suggest that peoples’ values vary dramatically depending on the situation they are placed in? Do you agree? Why or why not?

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Saints and the Roughnecks

Of the sociological theories explaining deviance that we he have discussed, pick two that you think apply to the The Saints and the Roughnecks and explain why you think these theories apply.

Also, please read “The Pathology of Imprisonment” on pp. 297-304 of the textbook. There will be a discussion about this article on Monday, March 23rd.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Social-functional theories of deviance

1. What kind of evidence do you see of Merton's strain theory at MHS? Without disclosing names, please give at least two examples.

2. Cloward and Ohlin's theory attempts to explain the formation of gangs based on certain individuals being denied access to both legitimate and illegitimate means of achieving success. Do you think there are individuals who fall into this category in Vermont? If so, why do you think that there are no gangs in this state?

3. Also, please read pages 179-183 for tomorrow's class.

Monday, March 9, 2009

Eating your friends is hardest

Please write a short reflection (1 paragraph) on the article we discussed today and how it relates to your understanding of deviance.