Ateneo - UPO

After an introduction to the sociology of deviance, the first part of the course will cover the main sociological theories on deviance and crime. In the monographic section, the following topics will be analyzed: the biological explanation and the medicalization of deviance; feminist criminologies; the green perspective in criminology; and the prison system.

Scarscelli, Vidoni, Altopiedi (2025), La devianza. Teorie e politiche di controllo, Nuova edizione, Carocci, Roma. Vianello (2019), Il carcere, Carocci, Roma.

The course introduces students to sociological perspectives on deviant and criminal behaviour. The objective is to develop the students' ability to think sociologically about deviance and crime in society.

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To pursue the educational goals of the course, the presentation of the sociological theories adopted to explain the deviance and crime will be integrated, even with the help of audiovisual material and literature pieces, from exercises in which the students will have the opportunity to apply the theories learned to specific cases.
The frequency is therefore recommended.

The educational material used during the lessons will be made available to students on the DIR online platform.

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.

The final examination consists of a two-hour written examination. The assessment includes a series of open-ended questions: several questions on the core component of the course, based on Scarscelli, Vidoni and Altopiedi, La devianza, and one question on Vianello, Il carcere.

The course is divided into two components: a core component and a monographic component.The core component introduces the principal sociological theories of deviance and crime, including Classical School and rational choice theories, social control theories, strain theory, subcultural theories, differential association theory, neutralization theory, and labelling theory.The monographic component examines the following topics: biological explanations and the medicalization of deviance; feminist criminologies; green criminology; and imprisonment and its impact on the life course of incarcerated individuals. Particular attention will be devoted to the question of whether imprisonment fulfils a rehabilitative function, in light of the principle established by the Italian Constitution that penalties must not involve treatment contrary to human dignity and should aim at the rehabilitation of the offender.Examination syllabusRequired readings for all students: Scarscelli, Vidoni and Altopiedi (2025), La devianza. Teorie e politiche di controllo, new edition, Carocci, Rome (excluding the third section, "Applicazione delle teorie ai casi", in the first five chapters).Vianello (2019), Il carcere, Carocci, Rome.

The students must demonstrate that they have acquired the knowledge of the main sociological theories on deviance and be able to recognize the implications of social and penal policy of each theory. As regards, instead, the verification of the learning of the monographic part, the students will have to demonstrate that they have acquired the knowledge of the most significant contents.