Welcome to Module 1!

"Spiritual Explanations of Deviance & Religious Social Control"

Welcome to your first unit of Deviance & Social Control!

I recommend that you complete this module (and all it’s components) by this date: ________.

In this unit you will…

  • be exposed to 16th century ideologies about deviance, conformity, and social control

  • critically consider religiously-endorsed social control measures, in their historical context

  • engage this history by examining and reflecting on primary texts from the Salem Witch Trials

  • consider contemporary cases of religious authority over deviant behavior by reading Lancaster’s essay on “Moral Panics,” and by considering a contemporary case study: The case of the “West Memphis Three”

You’ll find that this class focuses on these topics from the point of view of Western philosophy and Euro-American history. But our orientation to that perspective will be critical. The philosophies we consider in this class (philosophies about possession, pathology, crime, and crowds) have been some of then most violent ideologies in American history, and as such they pay an important role in our critical, sociological examination of conformity and difference.

There are 15 points to be earned in this unit. You will be graded on…

  1. Journal Entry: Tituba Archival Exercise: 3 points

  2. Journal Entry: West Memphis Three: 4 points

  3. Discussion Posts: Moral Panics: 6 points

  4. Journal Entry: Positioning the Self Activity: 2 points

Watch

Watch, and take notes as you watch the film. Pay attention to these guiding questions:

  • What was the dominant logic that defined “deviance” and “social control” in Salem during this time?

  • What behaviors were considered to be unacceptable? And what were the assumed consequences of these actions?

  • What systems of power appear to have shaped these standards? What institutions appear to have policed them?

(you do not need to journal on the guiding questions, they are just guides)

In Search of History: Salem Witch Trials : BC Library Collections

https://fod-infobase-com.proxy.bc.edu/p_ViewVideo.aspx?xtid=42734

Read & Reflect

Given what you’ve learned in the above film. Take this opportunity to consider a primary document in more detail. The language may be a bit difficult to stumble through, that’s ok! You will read the short passage three times, and submit a journal entry on Canvas in response to these three prompts:

  1. First Read — Comprehend: What is actually being described in the text?

  2. Second Read — Observe: What phrase or sentence jumps out at you?

  3. Third Read — Consider: Critically consider only that phrase or sentence in the context of the broader passage. What do you make of this section of the text? What does it tell you about this historical moment? What insight does it offer?

The Salem witch hunt : a brief history with documents, Richard Godbeer

Tituba. First examination of Tituba (as recorded by Jonathan Corwin), March 1, 1692 ; Second examination of Tituba (as recorded by Jonathan Corwin), March 2, 1692 ; Elizabeth Hubbard against Tituba, March 1, 1692 ; Ann Putnam Jr. against Tituba, March 1, 1692 ; Indictment against Tituba for covenanting with the devil, May 9,

[Link to Submit Journal Submission]

3 points. You will receive 1 point for fully addressing each of the three above prompts (comprehend, observe, and consider). You will lose 1 point for every element that is omitted from your submission. The journal entry should be casual, and requires no citations. Simply reflect on each of the three prompts above.

Reviewing the 16th/17th Century Logic

Contemporary Resurgences

Let’s consider these dynamics with a more contemporary case study. In the reading that follows, you will consider the case of the West Memphis Three, a group of teenagers from West Memphis, Arkansas who were tried, falsely convicted, and incarcerated over the deaths of three young boys in their town. You will learn about this case study by reading the following article:

Hunting Our Bad Selves: Projective Identification and the Case of the West Memphis Three

Roger Davis Gatchet & Amanda Davis Gatchet

Journal

  • Consider the three logics of early American religious social control: possession, scapegoating, and public shaming. Where do you see these logics appear in the case of the West Memphis Three? Can you find 2, specific examples?

  • In your own words, how would you define projective identification? Can you provide an example from your own life where you’ve observed projective identification?

[Submit your Journal Responses Here]

4 points. You will receive 1 point for reflecting fully on each of the two examples from West Memphis, 1 point for a complete definition of projective identification, and one point for including a relevant example.

Read & Discuss

Once you’ve completed your journal submission, complete your second reading for this unit.

"Panic: A Guide to Uses of Fear" Lancaster

“Transient Feelings” Janice Irvine

After you’ve completed and considered the reading, you’re ready to submit your first discussion question to the class discussion board. To receive full credit on this assignment, you must offer one discussion question (following the guidelines below), and two, text-based responses to the discussion questions of your peers.

6 points: You will receive 2 points for each of your three contributions (the discussion question, and your two responses to the questions posted by your peers). To receive both points for each element, your contribution must adhere to the best practices below. Partial credit will be given to attempts that do not follow the guidelines.

Review

Let’s review the most important elements of these readings.

Activity

This activity invites you to position yourself in the political history we’ve been exploring.

[Link to Journal Submission]

2 points: You will receive full credit for a journal entry that reflections casually on the activity and addresses the given prompts. Partial credit will be awarded for entries that address only part of the prompt.

Watch: Food for Thought

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2dTdx4g8Kc

You’ve now been introduced to one of our authors for this class! You’re ready to begin his book! Before Beginning the next module, you should read Chapters 1-4 in Jon Ronson’s book, So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed.

(You may use the print version of the book, the audiobook or the ebook versions)

You’ve now completed Module 1!

Make sure to complete all of the graded components of the module by May 20th at 5pm EST. in order to receive full credit

When you’re ready, you may begin Module 2.