Special Topic: The History of Gangs in New Zealand

Description

This course will examine the rise and development of gangs in New Zealand, as well as the internal and external forces that have influenced their evolution.

Robbery, rape, murder, organised crime: the public face of gangs is synonymous with these activities. But the general public’s impression of gangs is superficial and largely mythical. Until recently, little in fact has been known about the reality of gangs, about their internal dynamics, or about how they emerged and developed in this country.

SOCI293, taught by New Zealand’s leading gang authority, will trace the history of New Zealand gangs as well as the plethora of policy measures and laws that have been enacted to counter them. It will examine international gang research as well as important local concepts such as ‘blue vision’, ‘intimate escalation’ and the ‘gang-community balance’.

Because gangs everywhere have evolved within unique social, economic and political contexts, it will become clear that a full understanding of gangs cannot be achieved without an appreciation of the unique historical, social and political contexts in which they were born and nurtured.

This is a distance learning option and will require a computer and Internet access capable of playing videos.

Each week lectures will be video recorded and they and other resources and readings will be made available online. Each week (in the evening) there will be an online tutorial  (via Google Chat) where students and the lecturer will go over the week’s learning outcomes – and more importantly discuss (and argue, with luck) about the topic.

While the lecturer will do all he can to engage students, distance learning does require self-discipline. But if you have a bit of that, you will love this course.

This year numbers will be restricted, so register your interest by enrolling and we will let you know the outcome. Please contact Dr. Gilbert if you have any questions.