Module SOCI1371: CRIME, DEVIANCE AND SOCIETY

Department: Applied Social Sciences (Sociology; Social Wk/Policy; Com&Yth Wk)

SOCI1371: CRIME, DEVIANCE AND SOCIETY

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• This module is designed to:
• From a sociological perspective, introduce students to the key concepts of crime, deviance, social control and associated phenomena.
• Introduce students to definitional debates relating to these concepts.
• Explore the main sources of data on crime.
• Explore perceptions and representations of crime and the 'crime problem'.
• Introduce students to issues and debates surrounding crime and deviance as socially constructed categories.
• Allow students an opportunity to explore in more detail knowledge and understanding of at least three specific substantive areas in criminology.
• Provide a foundation for a more advanced study of crime, deviance and associated phenomena at Levels 2 and 3.

Content

• What is criminology?
• Defining crime and deviance: conceptual issues and debates.
• Measuring crime: a critical evaluation of sources of data.
• The social construction of crime and deviance and public perceptions of the 'crime problem'.
• The media and representations of crime, deviance and disorder
• Crime and social structure.
• At least three substantive areas from within the criminological field.

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of this module, students should demonstrate:
• an understanding, at an introductory level, of some of the key terms and concepts associated with criminology;
• an appreciation of the contentious nature of crime and deviance, and attendant conceptual problems associated with these phenomena;
• knowledge of the ways in which crime data are produced and what they tell us, together with a critical understanding of the uses and abuses of such data;
• knowledge and understanding of societal concerns about crime and deviance and the relationship between these concerns and social structure;
• knowledge and understanding of perceptions of the 'crime problem' and media representations of crime, deviance and disorder.

• By the end of the module, students should demonstrate:
• a basic ability to evaluate and interpret information and evidence;
• a basic ability to formulate sociological arguments and communicate ideas in writing;
• a basic ability to develop critical analyses of crime, deviance and control and to place these analyses within a broader social context.

• basic IT skills relating to the production of summative essays;
• basic ability to plan workload and manage time.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Lectures: weekly lectures will be used to map out the main contours of this module. As well as addressing academic concerns, lectures are designed to foster the student's interest in the field of sociological criminology.
• Seminars: fortnightly seminars allow tutors to explore in more detail themes and issues arising out of lectures and associated reading. The process is facilitated by the use of small groups and a collective ethos, together a Course Pack containing materials relevant to each seminar;
• Formative work: this provides students with opportunities to enhance subject-specific knowledge, subject-specific skill and key skills. Feedback on the formative assignment enables students to critically reflect on the development of their knowledge and skill. Summative: A summative essay enables students to demonstrate their achievement and understanding of a specific topic in depth and to construct a systematic discussion within word-limited constraints. Feedback, again, enables students to critically reflect on the development of their knowledge and skill.
• An examination tests the range, depth and sophistication of a students' knowledge and understanding of the subject matter together with the ability to argue coherently and to communicate effectively in writing under time.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

One compulsory essay – maximum 1,500 words.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University