Module:                                SOS303 Crime and Deviance

Programme:                         BA in Political Science and Sociology

Credit Value:                        12

Module Tutor:                      

1. General Objective

This module will provide a theoretical and empirical overview of deviant behaviour. It will introduce sociological concepts necessary to understand processes and theories of deviance and explore link between deviance and social control. Then the module will identify and explain leading theories and sociological perspectives of deviance. Various forms of deviant behaviour will be examined in-depth to understand process involved in deviant behaviours such as crime, drug use, suicide and greed (elite deviance).

2. Learning Outcomes

On the completions of the module, the learners will be able to:

• Explain the role of biology in crime

• Use social learning theory to explain crime and deviance

• Use self-related constructs in context of deviance and crime

• Elaborate self-control theory of crime and it methodological criticisms

• Synthesize the role of strain in increasing the likelihood of crime

• Summarize the role of social labelling in development of crime and deviance

• Use social disorganization theory to explain prevalence of crime

• Examine the role of delinquent peers in crime and deviance

• Summarize the development pattern and comorbidity of substance abuse and violence

• Use maximization theory to explain greed and elite deviance

• Examine deviant behaviour such as prostitution, property and violent crime using deviant theories

3. Learning and teaching approach

4. Assessment approach

 A. Writing assignment: Portion of the final marks: 25%

Student  will  write  a  2500  word  assignment  applying  one  of  the  theories  of deviance to understand and explain a deviant behaviour familiar to them. Marks will be awarded on:

9% - Content (understanding of the subject, relevance of information)

9% - Critical evaluation and discussion of evidence with examples

4% - Use of sociological concepts

3% - Grammar and syntax

B. Oral presentation: Portion of the final marks: 10%

Student will present assigned topic to the class in groups of two. Students will be assessed as indicated below:

2.5% - Delivery

10% - Content and organization

2.5% - Enthusiasm/Audience Awareness

C. Mid-semester examination: Portion of the final marks: 10%

Class test will be conducted after the completion of Unit II. The total marks for the test will be 50 and the duration of the test will be an hour.

D. Reflection Paper: Portion of the final marks: (5x3)15%

Student will write 3 brief reports for 400-500 words each reacting to some ideas discussed in the class or in the assigned reading and relate them to real life circumstances or experience (not necessarily your own)

3% content – creative and critical reflection

2%   understanding   –   demonstration   of   understanding   of   topic   under consideration

End of semester examination: Portion of the final marks: 40%

The exam will after the completion of all the units and with total mark set at 100. The 3 hour long exam will contain both short-answer/objective type questions and long-answer questions.

Overview of assessment approaches and weighting

Prerequisite: none

5. Subject matter

5.1.           Unit I: Introduction to Deviance

5.1.1.       Nature   and   meaning   of   deviance:   Defining   deviance   – normative and relativist definitions, alternative definition; Deviance in Society – norms, subcultures, Dimensions of deviance: institutionalized, individualistic, innovation, negative and positive deviance; physical deviance; the relativity of deviance, creating deviance;

5.1.2.       Deviant events and social control: informal and formal social control; socialization; deviant socialization;

5.1.3.       Becoming deviant

5.2.           Unit II: Theories of Deviance

5.2.1.       Biosocial criminology: Genetics and crime, molecular genetics, epigenetics; Evolutionary psychology – the evolution of traits related to criminal behaviour; Neuroscience; Biosocial approaches to major

5.2.2.       Anomie theory: Merton's social structure and anomie; social organization and crime; external restraints; reciprocity; contemporary issues and trends

5.2.3.       Conflict  theories:  Cultural  conflict;  Class  conflict;  Political conflict; power theory

5.2.4.       Labelling theory: Process triggered by labelling – deviant self- concept,  processes  of  social  exclusion,  involvement  in  deviant groups; Empirical evidence

5.2.5.       Control theory: defining, conceptualizing and measuring self- control; self-control and crime; sources of self-control; stability of self- control

5.2.6.       Learning  or  socialization theory:  differential  association  and reinforcement,   social   structure   and   social   learning,   empirical evidence, application of social learning theory

5.2.7.       Strain theory – major types of strain; strain and likelihood of crime; characteristics of strain conducive to crime; group differences in crime; policy implication of the strain theory

5.2.8.       Maximization Theory: The role of greed – individual personal characteristics, social control, personal controls, reward and punishment, loyalty. Maximization and property crime – fraud and maximization, deceptive advertising. Elite violent crimes – defective product and maximization, the tobacco industry. Corporation and social justice, crime prevention.

5.3.           Unit III: Examining Deviant Behaviours

5.3.1.       Peers   and   delinquency   –   social   influence   and   criminal behaviour: features of delinquent groups, importance of groups, theories  of  peer  influence;  research  on  peer  delinquency: Street gangs

5.3.2.       Criminal  Homicide:  Meaning  of  homicide;  background  of offenders; education, occupation and social class of offenders; personality factors; theoretical explanations

5.3.3.       Violent   crime:   forms   and   incidence;   characteristics   of offenders; theoretical explanation of assault and robbery

5.3.4.       Substance abuse and violence: association between alcohol and drug use and violence; alcohol related violence; drug related violence; pathways of substance use and violence; theoretical explanations

5.3.5.       Prostitution: defining prostitution; forms of prostitution; characteristics of prostitution; careers in prostitution; theoretical examinations

5.3.6.       Suicide:   background;   education   and   occupation,   family experience; personal factors; situational factors; theoretical explanations

6. Reading list

6.1.           Essential reading

Clinard, M. B. & Meier, R. F. (2010). Sociology of Deviant Behaviour. (14 Edition). Belmont, CA. Thomson Wadsworth

Krohn, M. D. (2010). Handbook on Crime and Deviance (2012 edition). Springer. Robinson,  M.,  &  Murphy,  D.  (2008).Greed  is  Good:  Maximization  and  Elite

Deviance in America. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.

6.2.           Additional reading:

Curra, J. (2011). The Relativity of Deviance. Thousand Oaks, CA: Pine Forge Press, an Imprint of Sage Publications.

Goode, E., & Ben-Yehuda, N. (2009). Moral Panics: The Social Construction of Deviance (2 edition). Chichester, U.K.; Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell

Traub, S. H., & Little, C. B. (1999). Theories of Deviance (5 edition). Itasca, Ill: Cengage Learning

Date: August 2015