SOCIOL 326

Sociology of Violence and Death

Please note: this is archived course information from 2021 for SOCIOL 326.

Description

Violence occupies a paradoxical place in western societies. It is both censured and legitimated. It evokes horror and yet acts of violence appear on a routine basis in many forms of entertainment, including television programmes for children.

Drawing on writings from a variety of intellectual traditions this course explores the contested nature of violence through an examination of a number of contemporary debates about the causes, agents and consequences of, as well responses to and interventions in, incidents of "ordinary" and sometimes everyday, interpersonal violence.

Course Objectives

• Analyse a novel (The Tattoo)
• Define and recognise different types of violence
• Theorise and plan for violence prevention or intervention
• Measure different types of violence
• Connect additional social constructs (e.g., gender, race) to violence and violence prevention
• Critically analyse potentially violent media
• Identify local and global trends in violence
• Develop a proposed violence prevention or intervention plan

Reading and Coursework

There is not a traditional textbook for this course. However, there are weekly articles assigned, which you can download here through CANVAS. You are expected to complete all assigned readings before class. I try to make class interactive and appreciate student participation; doing your readings in advance is critical. Some readings may be added as supplemental/optional readings as the semester progresses; they will be posted on CANVAS. I have also provided a number of recommended articles that you may read if you are particularly interested in certain topics.
 

Availability 2021

Semester 1

Lecturer(s)

Coordinator(s) Dr David Mayeda

Reading/Texts

There is not a traditional textbook for this course. However, there are weekly articles assigned, which you can download here through CANVAS. You are expected to complete all assigned readings before class. I try to make class interactive and appreciate student participation; doing your readings in advance is critical. Some readings may be added as supplemental/optional readings as the semester progresses; they will be posted on CANVAS. I have also provided a number of recommended articles that you may read if you are particularly interested in certain topics.

Assessment

Coursework + exam

Points

SOCIOL 326: 15 points

Prerequisites

30 points at Stage II in Sociology or 15 points at Stage II in Sociology and CRIM 201 or 202