Interaction and Environment - Deviance and Social Problems

A distinctive mark of Social Work is that one attempts to intervene in relation to social problems, based on knowledge derived from the interaction between human beings and their environments. In this course, the emphasis will partly be on human action and interaction, encompassing the relation between the individual and the social environment.
However, marginality, deviance and social problems constitute the main issues that will be discussed. The emphasis will be on presenting different perspectives on deviant attitude and on theories available to the students, which can be used in order to understand or explain social problems. Concepts such as normality and deviance are central, as well as social control and socialization. We will discuss different conceptions of causes of social problems, questions about the reactions of the environment and people’s adaptation and mastering.

This course is designed to give insight into and a basic understanding of different perspectives on social problems, including an understanding of sociological theory of interaction - interactionism.

Teaching method and activities: Lectures and seminars .
Form of assessment: Home exam (2 weeks).