SOCI8015 Sociology of Deviance

2016

4.5

1 x 110-minute workshop weekly

SOCI8014 has been successfully completed

Graduate Diploma in Sociology

This topic will examine various conceptions and sociological understandings of regulation, deviance and social control. This involves identifying the social processes and conditions leading to the definition and treatment of acts as deviance and actors as deviant. This focus is on everyday life experiences of deviance and social control and the topic considers the ways in which laws, rules, norms and mores structure social life and render some behaviours and activities unacceptable and deviant. Criminal deviance is just one type.

Specific issues and behaviour to be addressed include the ways in which sexuality, drug use, and the body are subject to regulation and designations of deviance. The topic also investigates mental health and criminal deviance, also paying attention to government.

This topic aims to provide:

• A solid introduction to sociological approaches to deviance, regulation and social control
• A grounding in sociological approaches to deviance, regulation and social control necessary for further study

On successful completion of this topic students should be able to:

• Critically evaluate theories and research in contemporary discussion and deviance, regulation and social control
• Identify major themes in research and deviance
• Apply sociological discussion of deviance to Australian society
• Discuss the relevance of sociological discussions of crime and deviance in a global/intemational context.