This unit (ASS2004) is interested in the regulation of normal and 'deviant' citizens, including corporate citizens, in contemporary Western societies. Interrogating the claim that both normality and deviance are 'managed', students are introduced to the ways in which deviance and normality has been thought about, identified and acted upon. Students are introduced to sociological analyses of deviance, and to questions concerning the contribution of sociological investigation to the work of social regulation. Broad topic areas explore normality and deviance in popular culture, and through medicalisation and crime and justice.

Unit details

Location:
Online Real Time
Study level:
Undergraduate
Credit points:
12
Unit code:
ASS2004

Prerequisites

Nil.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. Analyse processes through which individuals and groups are constructed as 'deviant'.  
  2. Appraise key sociological approaches to the study of deviance and social control.  
  3. Critically reflect upon sociological approaches to deviance by relating these to contemporary examples.  

Assessment

Assessment type Description Grade
Exercise Exemplify knowledge of key concepts from sessions 1-3 of unit through a set of short answer questions. End of Week 1. 25%
Test Assessing knowledge of sociological theory and concepts at mid-point. End of Week 2. 15%
Case Study Critically evaluate a key concept from the sociology of deviancy drawing upon a current example. End of Week 3. 40%
Portfolio Tutorial portfolio (500 words) Written summary map and short presentation. End of Week 4. 20%

Where to next?

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