EXPLORATION OF MERTON’S INNOVATOR AND BLOCKED OPPORTUNITIES

Abstract

This is a classroom activity designed to help clarify Merton’s blocked opportunity structures and innovation deviance. Merton (1939;1959) defined the innovator as one who uses unconventional means in order to attain culturally approved goals. Often the illustration of a drug dealer is used to clarify this point. However, many students misidentify this...

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Details

Subject Area(s):

Criminology/Delinquency

Resource Type(s):

Class Activity

Class Level(s):

Any Level

Class Size(s):

Any

Usage Notes

This activity was created for a sixth week of a College Teaching course. Unless presenting video/online media as the source of critique, there is only need of copies of any printed sources utilized for critique. However, if utilizing video/online media, internet connection, computer, video/sound cable and/or projector may be necessary. The activity is...

Learning Goals and Assessments

Learning Goal(s):

1. To recognize the circumstances of deviance under which the identity of Innovator applies. Specifically, to clarify the circumstance of block opportunities as they apply to the identification of an Innovator.
2. To understand the role of inequality within circumstances of innovation deviance.
3. The student will be assessed through their ability to explain the relationship between inequality and blocked opportunities.

Goal Assessment(s):

1. The student will be assessed through ability to identify the inclusion or absence of blocked opportunity within the context of social media (article, movie, youtube, etc.) chosen by the professor.
2. The student will be assessed through their ability to discuss the relationship between the innovator, inequality and blocked opportunities; both writing and verbal skills will be utilized in this assessment.