The Simpsons Help Us Understand Deviance and Social Control

Abstract

Marge in Chains, an episode from the 4th season of the popular animated television show, The Simpsons, provides a wealth of opportunities for students to actively engage with concepts related to deviance and social control. Students first read about deviance and social control in any introductory textbook. I use Schaefer's Sociology in Modules. In...

Download this resource to see full details. Download this resource to see full details.

Details

Subject Area(s):

Deviant Behavior/Social Disorganization

Resource Type(s):

Assignment, Class Activity, Lecture, PowerPoint, Video

Class Level(s):

College 100

Class Size(s):

Any

Usage Notes

I use this activity in my Principles of Sociology course, but it could also be used in courses such as Deviance and Social Control, Criminological Theory, and other similar classes. It is important to confine viewing to the portion of this episode that involves deviance concepts. Thus, the first few minutes can safely be skipped, then watch the video...

Learning Goals and Assessments

Learning Goal(s):

1. Apply the concept of labeling (Becker) and primary/secondary deviance (Lemert) to events in this episode.
2. Apply the concepts of the degradation ceremony (Garfinkel) and reintegration ceremony to events in this episode.
3. Apply other concepts of deviance, including , effect of deviance on community (Durkheim), sanctions, self-fulfilling prophecy, differential association (Sutherland), and retrospective interpretation to events in this episode.

Goal Assessment(s):

1. Show of hands in the classroom and success on the deviance and social control portion of the test.
2. Show of hands in the classroom and success on the deviance and social control portion of the test.
3. Show of hands in the classroom and success on the deviance and social control portion of the test.