12078 - Sociology of Deviance

Learning outcomes

The aim of this course is to introduce students to the sociological study of deviance and delinquency. By the end of the course students will be able to appraise the contribution of the theoretical frameworks analysed to our understanding of crime and deviance.

Course contents

The first part of the program concerns the relationships between the sociology of deviance and the other human sciences putting into evidence the existence of different and sometimes opposing paradigms. Afterwards we will examine the historical and developing aspect of this discipline in order to focus our attention on the specific theoretical contributions which have fostered a debate in the criminological field.

Within this historical excursus, some aspects about the crime dynamics will be illustrated with a particular reference to the interaction between the offender and the victim.

Readings/Bibliography

Balloni A., Bisi R., Sette R., Principi di criminologia - Le Teorie, Wolters Kluwer, Padova, 2015.

Students have to study all the articles published in:
Rivista di Criminologia, Vittimologia e Sicurezza, vol. XII, n. 2, May-August 2018 (available on the website: www.vittimologia.it/rivista)

Teaching methods

Lessons and class discussions.

Assessment methods

The final exam aims to verify the achievement of the following goals:

1) knowledge of the main criminological theories;

2) the ability to use these theories in order to analyze crime.

 

For not regular attendees, the exam will consist in a written text (exam duration: 1hr30mins) followed by an oral examination.

For regular attendees there will be two written exams: the first one after the first part of the lessons, and the second one at the end of the lessons. After having passed the written examinations, regular attendees have access to oral interview.

For regular attendees the assessment of the degree of preparation will be made through training exercises/workshops, group works, written tests, and participation in classroom discussions on topics analysed during lessons. The active participation of regular attendees will substitute the oral interview.

 

The student’s ability to find information in the literature and other educational materials in order to ascertain whether the learning objectives have been met will be highly evaluated. The student’s attainment of a complete view of the topics covered in the course, along with their critical analysis, a demonstration of having an adequate expressive mastery and a specific language, will be evaluated with high marks. Less well articulated knowledge mostly from memory, the ability to understand, analyse, and summarise, a language not always appropriate, will be evaluated with lower marks. If the study of the topics covered in the course is basic but is accompanied by educational gaps and inappropriate language, the marks will not be more than passing grades. Educational gaps, inappropriate language, lack of capacity to find information in the literature and other educational materials will lead to negative marks.

 

It is forbidden to use books, notes and electronic appliances during the written exams.

Teaching tools

Video projector, overhead projector, PC, video recorder

During lectures, the professor will use Power Point presentations that will be published on the website:

https://iol.unibo.it/course/view.php?id=23034

These documents do not substitute the compulsory reading materials, but they are supplementary and constitute a study guide to help gain a better understanding of the course contents.

Links to further information

http://www.vittimologia.it; http://www.cirvis.eu

Office hours

See the website of Sandra Sicurella