Module SOCI40630: Gender, Violence and Abuse

Department: Sociology

SOCI40630: Gender, Violence and Abuse

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• The module aims to provide students with an advanced education in theoretically informed, empirically grounded analysis of issues related to crime, violence and abuse. This will include gaining a sophisticated understanding of the methodological complexities associated with applied criminological research.

Content

• The module will focus on areas of current staff research expertise in types of crime, violence and abuse (areas will be dependent on the availability of staff); possible examples include: homicide; violence against sex workers; children and young people with harmful sexual behaviours; sexual violence; domestic violence; rape; police brutality; capital punishment; hate speech; cyber-crime; masculinities and war).
• The module will explore within a primarily sociological conceptual framework in depth theoretical understandings of these topics of special interest, drawing on national and international literature.
• The module will present detailed analysis of empirical research on interpersonal and state violence, as well as considering relevant policies, particularly in the UK. Students will also be introduced to some cross-national and comparative perspectives
• The module will demonstrate the relevance of a range of qualitative and quantitative methodologies for the exploration of crime, violence and abuse, including innovative methodologies employed by staff teaching on the module.

Learning Outcomes

• An advanced comprehension of the theory, principles, conceptual framework and methodologies applied to understanding crime, violence and abuse.
• Advanced critical understanding of cross national and comparative criminological debates and perspectives around crime, violence and abuse.
• A developed critical understanding of the complex and frequently sensitive methodological and ethical issues involved in researching these areas, particularly with regard to a variety of national and international contexts
• A sophisticated understanding of the epistemological and methodological background of the research literature encountered on the module.

• Critically evaluate criminological concepts, argument and evidence at an advanced level.
• Employ abstract theoretical concepts to express an understanding of specific forms of, responses to, and representations of crime, violence and abuse, and to assess the relative merits of these concepts.
• Analyse the role and importance of different historical, social, legal and political contexts to forms of, responses to, and representations of crime, violence and abuse in national and international settings.
• Apply this advanced knowledge to specific research contexts.
• Select an appropriate topic and focus for the assignment, which demonstrates advanced skills of critical analysis, evaluation and conceptual argument.

• An advanced ability to independently gather appropriate information from a range of sources and to make competent judgments about the relative worth, relevance and appropriateness of a range of sources.
• Advanced communication skills, including the ability to construct systematic, coherent written arguments and to appreciate their relevance to professional and academic audiences.
• Ability to evaluate research findings and to assess the strength of the methodologies employed, whether quantitative or qualitative.
• Effective time-management, working to prescribed deadlines.

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

• Teaching and learning will take place in weekly workshops of 2 hours. The workshops will involve a combination of lecture and discussion-based teaching methods, the balance of which may vary from year to year.
• Lectures: introduce the relevant topics on crime, deviance and victimisation within their historical, social, legal and political contexts in different national and international settings. Additionally, explore the methodological and ethical issues associated with researching these topic areas.
• Discussion and group work: through participation in discussion and group work, students will evaluate criminological concepts and argument, and will be encouraged to apply abstract theoretical concepts to specific forms of crime, violence and abuse. In-class exercises and discussion will provide students with formative feedback on their progress. Feedback will be received from both the tutor and peers.
• Independent Study: allows students to read widely around different topics, drawing on debates within scholarly journals and research monographs, and developing skills in critically engaging with literature.
• Summative Assessment: enables students to demonstrate learning, knowledge and understanding on specific topics and to construct systematic discussion within word limit constraints. The Briefing paper assesses the ability of students to construct written arguments succinctly to a range of audiences both academic and professional.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Verbal presentation to module leader only (not other students) on proposed topic and content of briefing note). This should take place at least 3 weeks before briefing paper submission date.

■ 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