Ateneo - UPO

Teaching will be divided into two parts: 1. general elements of the discipline: concepts, theories and research methods on deviance and crime. 2. specific topics: drug consumption, prison, migration, white-collar and juvenile crime.

For Erasmus students there is the possibility of taking the final exam in English. Those who study in Erasmus are invited to contact the teacher during the period of the lessons.

The course aims to provide students with the tools to critically orient themselves in the panorama of the different definitions of deviance and crime, to know the cognitive tools available to describe and analyze these social phenomena, to deepen the main interpretative paradigms and sociological explanations of deviance, crime and social control.

Basic knowledge in sociology.

Lectures and seminars. Teaching consists of 20 lessons 3 hours each, for a total of 60 hours. Schedule of lessons will be presented at the beginning of the course. Attendance is strongly recommended.

Educational material and extra will be available on Dir. Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/servicesstudents-physical-or-learning-disabilities Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

For Erasmus students there is the possibility of taking the final exam in English. Those who study in Erasmus are invited to contact the teacher during the period of the lessons.

After an introduction to the sociology of deviance and the concepts of crime, norms, sanctions, institutions and control policies, the first part of the course will present the main interpretative paradigms of criminal and deviant behaviour, seen in their historical context and in their persistence and confrontation in the current debate. For each theoretical approach, the implications and links between definitions, interpretations of deviant phenomena, questions of problem solving, regulatory choices and prevention, control and treatment policies will be illustrated. The second part of the course will be dedicated to workshops and seminars for in-depth analysis of some of the most relevant debates on deviance and crime that animate contemporary society, with particular reference to areas such as juvenile deviance, prison and white-collar crime. The course also includes lectures and seminars held by external guests and educational field trips.

1. Knowledge and comprehension skills:
Familiarity with the basic concepts of the sociology of deviance, the interpretative theories of deviant phenomena and related norms and policies for prevention, control and treatment in the Italian and international context.

2. Ability to apply knowledge and comprehension:
Ability to critically orient themselves around the different interpretative models illustrated and discussed, and to apply them to specific cases of deviance shown in the course. Moreover, they should develop awareness of the implications of these models on the policies and the interventions of professionals working in the services and institutions.

3. Independent judgement:
Ability to interpret "common sense" discourses on deviance phenomena, their influence on the public discourse and political choices, acquiring the ability to judge and evaluate autonomously in front of situations and behaviours of individuals and groups, in order to take professional actions (particularly in the case of the social worker profession).