SOCI 4221: The Social Construction of Crime and Deviance
Students engage in an in-depth examination of the processes involved in the social construction of crime and deviance from the perspectives of structural conflict theory, symbolic interactionism, and ethnomethodology. Students research the work and influences of citizens, legislators, police, courts, welfare agencies, schools, and others in the creation of deviance and deviants. Students use a distinctly interpretivist point of view in the course and examine numerous examples of real-life situations. Students are encouraged to apply the conceptual and theoretical materials to their own lives and work experiences.
Learning outcomes
- Discuss the relationship between theory and research.
- Discuss the contributions of sociological theories to our understanding of crime, deviance, and justice: structural conflict theory, symbolic interactionism, and ethnomethodology.
- Discuss the key differences among the three sociological theories and how these theories lead us to focus on different aspects of the criminal justice system.
- Critique correctional criminology.
- Discuss the decision making of members of the criminal justice and social services communities from a sociological viewpoint.
- Explain the importance of the organizational context in which crime and deviance are constructed.
- Explain how crime and deviance can be seen as social constructions.
Course topics
- Unit 1: Sociological Perspectives on Crime and Deviance
- Unit 2: Media and Crime — Youth and Justice
- Unit 3: Feminist and Postcolonial Approaches to Crime and Deviance
- Unit 4: The State and Social Control
Required text and materials
The following materials are required for this course:
- Ksenych, E. Exploring deviance in Canada: A Reader. Don Mills, ON: Oxford University
Press, 2011.
Type: Textbook. ISBN: 978-0-19-543990-8
The following material will be available within the course:
- Course Readings from Kramar, K. (2011). Criminology: Critical Canadian perspectives.
Toronto, ON: Pearson Canada.
Type: Custom Reprint. ISBN: 978-0-13-175529-1
Assessments
Please be aware that should your course have a final exam, you are responsible for the fee to the online proctoring service, ProctorU, or to the in-person approved Testing Centre. Please contact exams@tru.ca with any questions about this.
To successfully complete this course, students must achieve a passing grade of 50% or higher on the overall course, and 50% or higher on the final mandatory exam.
| Assignment 1: Sociological Perspectives on Crime and Deviance | 15% |
| Assignment 2: Media and Crime — Youth and Justice | 15% |
| Assignment 3: Feminist and Postcolonial Approaches to Crime and Deviance | 15% |
| Assignment 4: The State and Social Control | 15% |
| Final Exam (mandatory) | 40% |
| Total | 100% |
Open Learning Faculty Member Information
An Open Learning Faculty Member is available to assist students. Students will receive the necessary contact information at the start of the course.
