Assignment Task

You are required to submit a term assignment based on the following article:

Kriegler, A. 2018. ‘South Africa Won’t Become Less Violent Until It’s More Equal.’ The Conversation, September 12. Accessed from:

Read the article above and formulate an argument in essay format based on the following questions:

• What is the best predictor of whether a country will experience high or low levels of crime and violence?
• Discuss the link between poverty as relative deprivation and social exclusion.
• Since many theorists argue that South Africa can be considered an exclusive society, provide an explanation for South Africa’s high crime rate.

What do I include in the introduction?

Rationale – Why is the topic interesting? Why is it important to reflect on this topic?

Overview – Provide an outline of what the reader should expect in the essay.

What do I include in the conclusion?

Briefly re-emphasize the importance of the essay.

Sum up the important point by referring to the assigned essay – Do not merely list the points. In a line or two discuss the importance of each part of the essay

The Purpose Of Tutorials

The tutorials are designed to support your learning by engaging with fellow classmates as well as postgraduate Sociology students. Use the opportunity to refresh concepts, ask questions and gain clarification. It is best to attend your tutorials having read the required readings and having tried to answer the questions in the tutorial section of this module guide. For the most part, the tutorials are aimed at preparing you for the main Term 2 essay which is due at the end of term.

Tutorial 1

The tutor will assist in facilitating a discussion around the main concept around religion.

Prepare the following questions:

• Discuss the two main approaches in defining religion. 
• How do sociologists define religion? 
• What are values? 
• What are norms? 
• How are norms learnt in society?
• What is the role of religion in teaching norms? 

Tutorial 2

1.1 Is gender-based violence (GBV) considered to be a form of deviant behaviour or a crime? Motivate your answer.

1.2 How does religious beliefs shape people’s attitudes towards crime and deviance?

1.2.1 Explain the link between the religious sector and normative gender norms/roles in relation to GBV.

1.2.2 Present practical solutions to how the religious sector can play a role in addressing GBV. 

1.3 Discuss how religion promotes patriarchy from a feminist standpoint. 

1.4 Provide two contemporary examples – either internationally or in the African context – where religion is used to legitimise criminal violence in society.

Tutorial 3

The tutor will discuss the essay question focusing on

• the structure of the essay;
• the technical requirements;
• how to apply the article to your argument; and
• provide some tips for doing keyword searches for relevant academic sources.

Tutorial 4

Bring along a draft introduction and conclusion section of your Term 2 essay, as well as a mind map of the body of the essay. During the tutorial, the tutor will assist you in finalising the structure of your essay. This is also a final opportunity to ask questions about the content of the essay which should be submitted on 5 June 2023.

Linking Crime and Religion: A Case Study

Case Study 1: The Ku Klux Klan One example of a case study that links crime and religion is the case of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), a white supremacist organization that emerged in the United States in the late 19th century. The KKK used violence and intimidation to target African Americans, Jews, Catholics, and other minority groups. The KKK’s actions were motivated by their belief in white supremacy and their interpretation of Christianity. Many KKK members saw themselves as defenders of a white, Christian America, and they used religious language and symbolism to justify their actions. For example, the KKK’s rituals and ceremonies often included burning crosses, which they saw as a symbol of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. They also used biblical references to justify their belief in racial superiority, citing passages from the Bible that they believed supported their views. The KKK’s activities included lynchings, bombings, and other violent acts. In many cases, KKK members were able to commit these crimes with impunity, as local law enforcement and government officials were often sympathetic to their cause.

While the KKK is now a much smaller and less influential organization than it was in its heyday, it remains a potent symbol of the intersection between religion and crime. The KKK’s use of religious rhetoric and symbols to justify their actions is a reminder that religion can be used for both good and evil, and that it is important to critically examine the ways in which religious beliefs can be manipulated and distorted to justify criminal behavior.

Case Study 2: The Jonestown Massacre

One notable case study that links religion and crime is the Jonestown Massacre, which occurred in 1978 in Guyana, South America. The incident involved the mass suicide and murder of over 900 members of the Peoples Temple, a religious group led by the Reverend Jim Jones. Jones, who had been raised in a Pentecostal church, formed the Peoples Temple in Indiana in the 1950s. He preached a blend of Christian theology and socialist politics, and his charismatic leadership drew a large following. However, as the group grew, so did its isolation from the outside world, and reports of abuse and brainwashing began to emerge. In 1974, Jones moved the Peoples Temple to Guyana, where he established the Jonestown settlement. Members were required to sign over their possessions and submit to the authority of Jones and his inner circle. As conditions in Jonestown worsened and reports of abuse intensified, some members began to seek help from relatives in the United States. In November 1978, a delegation led by U.S. Congressman Leo Ryan visited Jonestown to investigate the reports of abuse. However, as they were preparing to leave, a group of Peoples Temple members opened fire on the delegation, killing Ryan and several others. Jones then ordered his followers to commit mass suicide, and over 900 people drank a cyanide-laced punch and died. The incident remains one of the largest mass suicides in history. The Jonestown Massacre highlights the potential dangers of religious extremism and the power of charismatic leaders to manipulate and control their followers. It also underscores the need for caution when evaluating claims of religious freedom, as extreme beliefs and practices can sometimes lead to tragic consequences.

Case Study 3: Boko Haram

Boko Haram is an extremist group based in northeastern Nigeria that seeks to establish an Islamic state in the region. The group has used religion as a tool to justify its violent activities and recruit new members. Boko Haram’s interpretation of Islam is based on a fundamentalist ideology that rejects Western education, democracy, and modernization. The group believes that these things are contrary to Islamic values and that they must be eradicated. Boko Haram has carried out numerous attacks on schools, government institutions, and other symbols of Western influence in Nigeria, including the kidnapping of schoolgirls in 2014 that sparked international outrage. Boko Haram uses religious rhetoric to justify its actions, portraying its struggle as a holy war against infidels and corrupt leaders who have strayed from the path of Islam. The group has also targeted moderate Muslim leaders who disagree with their ideology, viewing them as collaborators with the Nigerian government and the West. Boko Haram’s use of religion to justify its violent activities has been widely condemned by Islamic leaders around the world, who argue that the group’s interpretation of Islam is not representative of the religion as a whole.