Please note - Swinburne University of Technology

AS205 Sociology of Deviance and Social
Control
Uhis subject cannot be taken by students who
have passed AS202 Sociology of Deviance)
No. of hours per week: three hours
Prerequisites: AS1 00 and AS1 01
Assessment: continuous
Subject aims and description
The study of deviant behaviour and social control raises
questions about the nature of social order and the use of
knowledge and power by some groups in society to
reinforce their positions of dominance and control.
This subjed deals with persons and actions defined as
socially unacceptable and the attempts to control, reform or
eliminate them. The first part of the subjed examines the
contributions a variety of sociological perspectives have made
to the understanding of deviant behaviour and the social
responses it evokes. Three main forms of control: the
criminal justice system, the medical, psychiatric, or
therapeutic system and the welfare system will be analysed
in the second section of the course. Finally, the ways in
which a sociological approach can inform policy and practice
in a number of specific social problem areas such as child
abuse, corporate crime, domestic violence and AIDS will be
n identified.
c
u" References
o+ Anleu, S and Roach, L. Deviance, Conformity and Control.
Melbourne: Longman Cheshire, 1991
a Edwards, A. Regulation and Repression. Sydney: Allen & Unwin, 1988
YI
Findlay, M. and Hogg, R. (eds.) Understanding Crime and Criminal
Justice. Sydney: The Law Book Company. 1988
AS206 Sex and Gender in Society
No. of hours per week: three hours
Prerequisites: AS 100 and either A51 01 or AP112
for students majoring in Australian studies
Assessment: two essay; and a class test
Subject aims and description
This subject examines the ways in which the biological
differences between men and women are socially structured
to produce gender differences within and between societies.
It analyses arguments about male-female differences and the
idealogical uses of these arguments.
All social institutions encode gender, but two in which
gender is of central importance (family and work) are
examined in detail. The ways in which these institutions are
built on and, in turn, contribute to gender divisions in
Australian society are studied.
Sexuality is considered in the context of its implications for
social~structures and the social meanings attached to
heterosexuality and homosexuality.
The relationships between power, gender and sexuality are
explored, including social and political power and sexual
violence.
References
Connell, R. Gender and Fbwer. Sydney: Allen & Unwin, 1987
Eisenstein. H. Contemporary Feminist Thought. London: Unwin, 1984
Lupton, G., Short, P. and Whip, R. Sociery and Gender: An
Introduction to Sociology Melbourne: Macmillan, 1992
AS300
Urban Sociology
No. of hours per week: four hours daytime or
three hours evening
Prerequisites: two stage two sociology subjects
including AS204
Assessment: tests, class exercises, and an essay
Subject aims and description
This subject focuses on the relationship between urban
theory and policy. A range of theoretical frameworks are
used to provide an understanding of research and policy
around issues of housing, inner-city redevelopment,
suburban sprawl and spatial segregation. The role of the
state and its relationship with the private sector in urban
development is also examined.
Reference
Kilmartin, L. Thorns, D. and Burke. T Social Theory and the Australian
City. Sydney: Allen and Unwin, 1985
AS302 Sociology of Organisations
No. of hours per week: three hours
Prerequisites: two stage two sociology subjects
including A5204
Assessment: consists of two essays and a class
paper
Subject aims and description
The twentieth century is the age of the large organisation.
In particular, it is distinguished by the emergence of giant
multi-divisional corporations, often impersonally-owned and
bureaucratically-managed, and global in their operations.
This subject examines first the key explanations and accounts
of large organisational structures. It then considers
contemporary lines of organisational analysis, including the
organisational culture perspective, feminism, corporate power
analysis, and post modernism. The subject includes analysis
of organisations in the burgeoning East Asian nations, the
massive problems faced by the giant corporations of earlier
decades, and the emergence of new corporate forms in the
late twentieth century.
Reference
Clegg, S. Modern Organisations; Oganisation Studies in he
Fbstmodem Wrld. London: Sage, 1990
AS303 Current Issues in Sociology
No. of hours per week: three hours
Prerequisites: two stage two sociology subjects
including AS204
Assessment: continuous
Subject aims and description
The subject matter of AS303 changes on a year to year
basis depending on what issues are considered relevant and
interesting to students. Typical issues include environment,
health and gender. Irrespective of the issue, key concepts
and theories drawn from sociology will be used to inform
students' understanding.
At present the focus is on the environment and popuiation.
The course analyses the effects of different forms of social
organisation on the natural environment, concentrating on
the degree to which environmental stress is caused by
population growth and the degree to which it is caused by
inappropriate use of resources.
The subject is organised on a seminar basis and emphasises
student participation.
References
Harris, M. Cultural Materialism. New York: Vintage Books, 1980
Brown, L. The State of the MrId 1993. Sydney: Allen and Unwin
Smith, J.W. (ed.) Immigration, Fbpulation and Sustainable
Environments. Bedford Park, S.A.: Flinders Press, 1991