SOCIOL 225

Outsiders: Youth and Adult Subcultures

Please note: this is archived course information from 2017 for SOCIOL 225.

Description

This course will expose students to subcultural studies, a field of scholarship that is of interest to sociologists, criminologists and anthropologists to name a few. Subcultures can be understood as smaller social formations that are identifiable through their distinct use of cultural artifacts and, arguably, the way in which they forge alternative worldviews (eg, dress, style, behaviour, speech, “attitude”). Oftentimes, subcultures exist on the margins of society or are marginalised by society, but this need not always be the case.

Whereas the first part of the course explores major theoretical writings, the second part looks at particular examples of subcultures. In moving through theoretical and empirical works, students will be exposed to important sociological theories, gain an understanding of different methods and sharpen their critical thinking skills. In short, we will treat the study of subcultures as a passageway into the “soul” of sociology.

Availability 2017

Not taught in 2017

Lecturer(s)

Lecturer(s) Dr Ronald Kramer

Reading/Texts

A course reader will be made available if required.

Points

SOCIOL 225: 15 points

Prerequisites

30 points at Stage I in Sociology, or 15 points at Stage I in Sociology with a minimum B+ pass, or 30 points from MĀORI 130, PHIL 103, POLITICS 109, SOCIOL 100, 101, 103