You will choose to analyse traditional media (magazines etc) and write a critical analysis identifying where groups, individuals or social acts are categorised as deviant. As part of your analysis, identify at least one norm and/or value and examine how and why the norm and/or value has been broken. You should also focus on one label you identified in the media and discuss the prevalence of the label and the impact it has on society. For a breakdown on how to complete this assignment, see the following steps.
Step 1: Choosing your media type
Traditional media: Look at online or print media news sources (e.g. The Age, Herald Sun) or magazines for media items that show evidence of or discuss the breaking of values or norms
Step 2: Selecting your article and identifying your norm/value and label
Based on your chosen media type, select one article where you can identify a group, individual or social act that has been represented as deviant, one norm and/or value that is being broken and one label that is being applied as a consequence (The following links are some articles to use however please find some more to add for referencing and citations)
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/federal-budget/budget-2017-substance-abuse-crackdown-and-random-tests-for-dole-bludgers/news-story/20f0568f9d750c97bf7e5eafde05285a
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/women-s-rights-iran-arrested-motorbike-motorcycle-revolutionary-religious-values-dezful-video-harrassment-a7527051.html
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/the-hypocrisy-of-barnaby-joyce-is-stunning-20180212-p4z03k.html
Step 3: Writing your analysis
To provide an in-depth critical analysis, ensure that you are presenting different theoretical perspectives on your chosen norm and/or value and how the label is then applied.
Provide an overview of the issue/social group in question, its background, the media it appears in, and the nature of the group/individual/journalist/politician, etc. presenting the issue, which will give you the opportunity to assess whether deviance is re-emerging as a useful or harmful social category.
Identify and explain the norm and/or value and how and why it is considered normative and the purpose of its status. Explain why the media item is suggesting that it has been broken. This, obviously, will be relative (based on the extremity of the view presented and the media that’s hosting it) and should be assessed in terms of its reception and the countervailing views.
Discuss what label had been applied, and the implications of this labelling.
Is the breaking of norms or values being highlighted to attract a labelling process? That is, does it allow someone in a powerful position the ability to identify an action that they want to highlight by drawing society’s attention to it? Do they do this by placing it in a category that draws attention to the action?
The norm that you choose may not be part of the social consensus but may in fact be a part of a minority view or subculture, so don’t feel that you have to present ‘socially sanctioned’ norms. Feel free to present normative examples from your social world that highlight possibilities for broadening our understanding of normativity.
Please note that individual crimes of an extreme nature (murder, rape, terrorism) will always be deviant so it’s probably best to set them aside.
Ensure you use at least one sociological theory from your eText to focus your analysis (e.g. normative, control, functionalist, labelling perspectives).
Don’t forget the main task is to discuss how your ARTICLE has labelled an individual or group as deviant, not just how your TOPIC might be seen as deviant
Please also use Psychology theories such as the NORMATIVE THEORY and how they apply to these topics.
How to Achieve A High Distinction
80–100%
Media example is presented with enlightened comments noting its relevance to norms, values and labels. High quality article selection (longer analytical type), expert author, point-of-view profound, detailed, historical & broad.
The norm or value was clearly identified and accompanied with an excellent explanation drawing confidently on a range of theoretical perspectives. Clear challenge/defence of normative issues, very well-informed understanding of deviance in question, very strong countervailing evidence that challenges simple understandings & presents a profound understanding of the complexity of the interwoven issues.
Deep & incisive analysis & discussion dealing with multiple & complex issues, clear & profound historical context, very detailed explanation of normativity, tightly integrated additional issues listed. An excellent discussion of how labelling has been applied as a consequence.
This is a fluent and succinct piece of writing of a very high academic standard. There are no referencing errors in this work.
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