Overview
This unit looks at the contributions that culture, social structures and interpersonal relationships make to the formation of normal and deviant identities and behaviours in contemporary society. In addition to undertaking an analysis of competing theoretical perspectives of deviance and identity, you will be given the opportunity to explore key debates and controversies related to identified forms of deviant behaviour. You will also be required to compare and contrast beliefs and attitudes toward the major forms of personal deviance with focus on current formal and informal responses and practices. Special attention will be given to behaviours that are thought to be wild, risky, unacceptable or dangerous including: drug and alcohol use, sexual deviance, offensive behaviours, such as offensive humour and swearing, and body modification practices. You will be provided opportunities to consider questions such as, ‘is ‘being bad’ a form of resistance to, or a symptom of, a culture that has commodified deviant identities and can ‘bad behaviour’ ever be good? The unit will draw on a range of theoretical perspectives in Sociology and Cultural Studies and also use examples from The Arts, Philosophy, and Religious Studies.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2022
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student 'Have your Say' survey
Some students requested tutorials to be recorded.
Review tutorial format to investigate suitability for recording and posting to Moodle.
- Explain the contributions that culture, social structures and interpersonal relationships make to the formation of normal and deviant identities in contemporary society.
- Apply sociological concepts and theories to key debates and controversies related to identified forms of deviant behaviour.
- Analyse competing theoretical perspectives of deviance and identity.
- Outline the positive and negative consequences of deviance.
- Compare and contrast beliefs and attitudes to contemporary views of behavioural social norms and deviance.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
1 - Written Assessment - 40% | |||||
2 - Written Assessment - 25% | |||||
3 - Written Assessment - 35% |
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
1 - Communication | |||||
2 - Problem Solving | |||||
3 - Critical Thinking | |||||
4 - Information Literacy | |||||
5 - Team Work | |||||
6 - Information Technology Competence | |||||
7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||||
8 - Ethical practice | |||||
9 - Social Innovation | |||||
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures |
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
1 - Written Assessment - 40% | ||||||||||
2 - Written Assessment - 25% | ||||||||||
3 - Written Assessment - 35% |
Textbooks
Short Introductions. Social Deviance.
Edition: Second (2019)
Authors: Henry, S with Howard, L
Polity Press
Cambridge Cambridge , United Kingdom
ISBN: 978-1-5095-2350-4
Binding: Paperback
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
h.thorne@cqu.edu.au
c.dittman@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
The Sociology of Deviance: An introduction.
Chapter
Your reading for this week is to familiarise yourself with the unit Moodle site and to read:
Chapter one of the prescribed text: Henry, S., & Howard, L. M., 2019, Social Deviance, 2nd edn, Polity Press, Cambridge.
Further readings that will support your understanding of this week's topic are available from the Moodle site.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Labelling theory, social control and critical theory.
Chapter
Readings will be posted on the Moodle site.
"On Being Sane in Insane Places" by D. L. Rosenhan.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 1: Plagiarism.
Chapter
Readings will be posted on the Moodle site.
"Plagiarism: a misplaced emphasis" by B. Martin.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 2: Disability.
Chapter
Readings will be posted on the Moodle site.
"Revolution" by V. Finkelstein.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Topic 3: Mental illness.
Chapter
Readings will be posted on the Moodle site.
"Division of Clinical Psychology Position Statement on the Classification of Behaviour and Experience in Relation to Functional Psychiatric Diagnoses: Time for a Paradigm Shift" by British Psychological Society Division of Clinical Psychology (2013).
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Creating the deviant: Stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination.
Chapter
Watch one of the recommended films from the Moodle site.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 2 due.
Written Assessment - Powerpoint Presentation Due: Week 6 Monday (22 Aug 2022) 9:00 am AEST
Module/Topic
Deviant cultures: Othering indigenous people.
Chapter
Watch one of the recommended films from the Moodle site.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Online trolling. Ethereal imagined communities.
Chapter
Read:
Chapter six by Henry, S., & Howard, L. M., (2019). Failed socialization and weak social control.
Further readings will be posted on the Moodle site.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1 due.
Written Assessment - Online Focus Questions (40%) Due: Week 8 Monday (5 Sept 2022) 9:00 am AEST
Module/Topic
'On yer bike mate': Moral panics an excuse for more social control?
Chapter
Read:
Chapter nine by Henry, S., & Howard, L. M., (2019). Becoming normal: The politics of stigma.
Further readings will be posted on the Moodle site.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
'The sound of the suburbs': From counterculture to mainstream.
Chapter
Read:
Primack, A. B., Dalton, M. A., Carroll, V. M., Agarwal, A. A., & Fine, J. M., (2008). Content analysis of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs in popular music.
Further readings will be posted on the Moodle site.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
'A bit of blow': Substances - social use or social abuse?
Chapter
Read:
Richman, J., (1985). Sociological perspectives on illegal drug use: Definitional, reactional and etiologic insights.
Further readings will be posted on the Moodle site.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Unit review and preparation for Assessment 3.
Chapter
This week will be a review of the materials and readings covered in the course (Weeks 1-11) in preparation for the submission of the final assessment piece (Written Assessment 3).
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 3 due.
Written Assessment - Deviance Reflective Project Due: Review/Exam Week Tuesday (11 Oct 2022) 9:00 am AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Unit Coordinator
Dr Hannah Thorne
h.thorne@cqu.edu.au
Located on the Adelaide Campus.
1 Written Assessment
Online focus questions
The first assessment for this unit consists of two short answer questions that in total will amount to 40% (each question will be weighted 20%). A total of three questions will be set across teaching weeks 2,4 and 6 with one question set during each of those weeks. You will be asked to answer all three questions and then chose which two you wish to submit for the assessment. The questions will encourage you to apply key sociological concepts relating to deviance and this will provide you with important foundational knowledge in sociology but also engage you with key, contemporary debates occuring in society around deviant behaviours.
The Academic Learning Centre (ALC) has numerous resources on its Moodle website to assist you with your study and writing skills.
Week 8 Monday (5 Sept 2022) 9:00 am AEST
Week 10 Monday (19 Sept 2022)
2 weeks after submission
You will be assessed on: your ability to apply sociological concepts and theories to key debates and controversies related to identified forms of deviant. behaviour; your use of critical thinking skills in considering both the positive and negative dimensions to deviant behaviour and your ability to draw on contemporary debates around deviant behaviours. e and contrast beliefs and attitudes to contemporary views of behavioural social norms and deviance. The marking rubric and further information sheets will be available on the Moodle site.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
- Apply sociological concepts and theories to key debates and controversies related to identified forms of deviant behaviour.
- Outline the positive and negative consequences of deviance.
- Compare and contrast beliefs and attitudes to contemporary views of behavioural social norms and deviance.
2 Written Assessment
This task consists of the design of four PowerPoint slides with accompanying speaker notes. This assessment provides you with the opportunity to develop an argument for how a particular deviant behaviour (chosen from 3 topic areas covered in the unit) need to be understood in a cultural context, how it is expressed in an interpersonal context and how it can be critiqued through an understanding of the contemporary literature on the topic.
The Academic Learning Centre (ALC) has numerous resources on its Moodle website to assist you with your study and writing skills.
Week 6 Monday (22 Aug 2022) 9:00 am AEST
Week 8 Monday (5 Sept 2022)
Two weeks after submission
You will be assessed on: a) how you acknowledge the positive effects and contrast with negative effects of a label; b) applying the theory of deviance amplification; c) applying your understanding of how social norms shift in time in ways that impact social deviance.
The marking rubric and further information sheets will be available on the Moodle site.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
- Explain the contributions that culture, social structures and interpersonal relationships make to the formation of normal and deviant identities in contemporary society.
- Outline the positive and negative consequences of deviance.
- Compare and contrast beliefs and attitudes to contemporary views of behavioural social norms and deviance.
3 Written Assessment
This task is a piece of reflective writing. This assessment gives students the opportunity to show how they can apply their learning to one of two central topics – disability and mental illness. By this point in the unit, students should have got to the point where they have obtained a good appreciation of how the culture in which we live is abundant with media that present examples of mainstream deviance. This task provides the opportunity for students to apply learnings about deviance and show how they can engage in self-criticism of their prior assumptions, values, and beliefs to shift their mode of thinking from the mainstream to a critically informed sociological perspective on deviance.
This assignment is designed to enable the demonstration of learning against the first three of the unit’s Learning Outcomes: 1) Explain the contributions that culture, social structures and interpersonal relationships make to the formation of normal and deviant identities in contemporary society; 2) Apply sociological concepts and theories to key debates and controversies related to identified forms of deviant; 3) Analyse competing theoretical perspectives of deviance and identity.
You must use a minimum of 3 references that have been supplied either in the unit reading list or in the lecture and/or tutorial presentations.
Standard requirements: As this work requires a component of personal reflection, you are advised to use the first person in the writing of your personal reflection. The word count limit is 800 words (inclusive of in-text citations and exclusive of your reference section). Presenting good standards of spelling and grammar are essential requirements for this written assessment. Other presentation standards include at least 1.5 line spacing and 12 point font, preferably Arial.
Suggested breakdown of component:
200 words: Briefly make an argument as to why the topic is of interest to sociologists studying social deviance (what theory or concept does the topic inform in the area of deviance?).
600 words: Distinguish between a mainstream and a critically informed sociological perspectives on the topic. Engage in self-criticism to identify the assumptions, values, and beliefs you held in relation to the topic that have been challenged by the critically informed sociological perspective studied on this unit and detail how that has opened you to new modes of thinking about the topic.
Title, Reference list and Appendices (if relevant) are not included in the word count. Further guidelines for this assessment will be made available during the lectures and tutorials.
The Academic Learning Centre (ALC) has numerous resources on its Moodle website to assist you with your study and writing skills.
Review/Exam Week Tuesday (11 Oct 2022) 9:00 am AEST
Assignment will be returned 2 weeks after submission
You will be assessed on your ability to describe in full, the example of deviance that you have chosen and how you then explore the application of theory from a sociological perspective to that chosen form of deviance. You will also be assessed on your ability to personally reflect on how the unit content has influenced your thoughts on deviance and specifically to the topic you have chosen. What is being looked for is how you are able to reflect on the unit content and how you are able to reflect on how that content has impacted your understanding of your chosen topic. Full marking criteria is available on the unit Moodle site.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
- Explain the contributions that culture, social structures and interpersonal relationships make to the formation of normal and deviant identities in contemporary society.
- Apply sociological concepts and theories to key debates and controversies related to identified forms of deviant behaviour.
- Analyse competing theoretical perspectives of deviance and identity.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.