Module Provider: |
School of Law |
Number of credits: |
20 [10 ECTS credits] |
Level: |
H (Honours) |
Terms in which taught: |
Autumn and Spring |
Module Convenor: |
Mr
PA
Almond |
Pre-requisites: |
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Co-requisites: |
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Modules excluded: |
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Current from: |
2005/6 |
Aims:
This module aims to provide students with an overview of theories and explanations of crime, the nature of crime and offenders, and social and legal responses to crime, in order to encourage a critical appreciation of these important issues. |
Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of this module it is intended that students will:
Possess an awareness of a range of theoretical approaches to crime and criminology;
Be able to critically examine and assess competing explanations of offending behaviour;
Be able to illustrate and evaluate the role of factors such as race, age, gender, and occupation in the distribution of offending behaviour;
Understand and critically evaluate different responses to criminal behaviour;
Be aware of the complex and problematic nature of crime as a social phenomenon.
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Additional outcomes:
This module will encourage and allow students to develop critical arguments concerning criminological issues in both written and oral form. It will encourage the development of analytical and critical approaches to literature and sources, and the ability to link theoretical approaches to practical policies and issues. The written work will encourage the ability to work independently and to create and sustain a logical argument. |
Outline content:
What is crime? (Social constructions, status)
What is the extent of crime? (Statistics, the 'dark figure')
Theories of crime (Social, environmental, sociological explanations for offending)
Explanations of crime (biological and psychological aspects of crime)
Factors affecting offending (including race, gender, and occupational crime)
Responses to crime (Issues in policing and penology, media responses)
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Brief description of teaching
and learning methods:
Teaching will be by lectures (25 hours) and seminar classes (5 hours). Lectures will provide an overview and explanation of an area to facilitate individual learning; seminar classes will consist of discussion of questions and issues raised in advance. Active participation in seminar classes is essential. |
Contact hours:
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Autumn |
Spring |
Summer |
| Lectures |
25 |
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| Tutorials/seminars |
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| Practicals |
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5 |
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| Other contact (eg study visits) |
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|
revision by email |
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| Total hours |
25 |
5 |
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| Number of essays or assignments |
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1 |
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| Other (eg major seminar paper) |
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Assessment:
Coursework
One assessed essay of 8 pages formatted in accordance with the rules laid out in the School Guide (Programme Assessment).
Relative percentage of coursework: 30%
Examinations
One 1½ hour examination (two questions to be answered out of a choice of questions) accounting for 70% of the overall module marks.
Requirements for a pass: 40% overall
Reassessment arrangements: See School Guide (Programme Assessment), but
note that only the failed element(s) must be retaken with marks for the passed element being carried forward. |
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