In this course you will explore the idea of social 'deviance', with a focus on the ways that normality and difference are controlled and contested in society. You will learn about different sociological approaches to deviance, with a particular focus on constructivist perspectives and associated ideas of 'criminalisation', 'pathologisation' and 'labelling'. You will learn to identify various forms of power in society and to think critically about their relationship to deviance. Categories of gender, race and class will be considered alongside those of sexuality, disability, Aboriginality, youth and addiction, to explore how bodies are governed and policed in society, as well as how they resist. You will also learn to think critically about the role that justice and welfare professionals play in the creation and administration of formal and informal 'rules' in society, and through this, the role they might play not only in the control of deviance, but also its creation.

This course is part of the major Legal Studies offered with the BP023P26 Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice program.