This essay will be a formal 7-10 page research paper for the purpose of critically applying, comparing, and evaluating two major deviance perspectives using one of the novels from the list below.  For example, you could read Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter and look at adultery as a form of deviance and look at the significance of "the scarlet letter" in terms of a pre-scientific demonic theory and then compare the worth of this theory to contemporary labeling theory. Try to answer questions such as: Why was this behaviour considered deviant? Is the behaviour/activity still considered deviant today? How does each theory describe what is happening in sociological terms? Do the theories complement one another? If not, which has better explanatory value? The paper should include a short summary of the main ideas of the book (just a few paragraphs - this is not a book report!) but should concentrate primarily on critically evaluating or analyzing the book in the context of two contrasting or complementary theories. Since this paper is relatively short (7-10 pages or approximately 1500-2000 words), you might want to focus on only one or  two of the main ideas of the novel.  After summarizing the book and outlining the main themes, narrow your discussion down to an idea (or two) that you think is particularly relevant or interesting.

Be creative - there are no right answers or right ways to do this assignment.  The paper will be evaluated on its overall organization, its theoretical merit, and its creativity. Spelling,  grammar, and style will also be considered. Please include citations and bibliography (use the ASA or CSAA format - a complete sociological guide can be obtained at the Brescia library front desk.)

The essay will be due in class on November 25 and is worth 20% of the final mark. The penalty for late submissions is 2%/day.

Remember that all words and ideas that are not your own (including any taken from the Internet) must be referenced.  Please review and remember the university regulations on plagiarism (for instance, see U.W.O. 2003 Academic Calendar.)
 

Book List:

Berendt, John                   Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
Hawthorne, Nathaniel      The Scarlet Letter
Kesey, Ken                       One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Kidder, Tracy                    Hometown
Piercy, Marge                   Woman on the Edge of Time