Theoretical and empirical work on youth subcultures in terms
of deviance, gender, identity, media, societal reaction, and
style. Various subcultures considered: Cybercultures, Deadheads,
Gay/Lesbian, Goth, Hackers, Motorcyclists, Punk/Hardcore, Riot
Girls, Skinheads, and Straightedgers.
Athena Title
Youth Subcultures
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in SOCI 3080E
Prerequisite
SOCI 1101 or SOCI 1101E or SOCI 1101H or SOCI 2600 or permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Not offered on a regular basis.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will learn to define the key terms and concepts related to the sociology of deviance.
Students will understand the connections between macro-level subculture and micro-level individual identity formation.
Students will understand truths around youth subcultures and inaccurate myths related to them.
Students will learn to apply sociological theory to youth subcultures.
Students will understand intersectionality as a theory, methodological framework, and concept.
Topical Outline
1. Overview of Sociology of Deviance
2. Theories and perspectives to explain, understand, critique, and/or analyze deviance and normalcy
3. History of Subcultural Research: American Chicago School vs University of Birmingham's Centre for Contemporary Cultural Studies
4. Defining a subculture: core components
5. Intersectionality and Identity Formation
6. Witches, Metalheads, Goths, and Gangs
7. Virginity Pledgers, Hackers/Gamers, Hip Hop Heads, and Hippies
