Module SOCI2231: CONTEMPORARY CRIMINOLOGICAL THEORY

Department: Sociology

SOCI2231: CONTEMPORARY CRIMINOLOGICAL THEORY

Prerequisites

• SOCI1391 Introduction to Criminological Theory

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• This module is designed to:
• Illustrate how the theoretical models and concepts associated with major traditions in sociological criminology have influenced more recent developments - from the late 20th century to the present.
• Explore in detail these recent theoretical developments.
• Continue to situate these developments within social and political contexts.

Content

• Radical Perspectives.
• Realist perspectives.
• Perspectives on Gender.
• Control Perspectives.
• Cultural perspectives.
• Postmodernist Perspectives.

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of this module, students should demonstrate:
• Knowledge and critical understanding of the main theoretical perspectives in contemporary sociological criminology.
• Knowledge and critical understanding of the social and political contexts in which their emergence and development may be situated.
• A sound appreciation of the relevance of the major theoretical traditions to these later developments.

• By the end of the module, students will be able to:
• Critically evaluate sociological argument and evidence.
• Formulate sociologically informed questions with specific reference to criminology-related issues and debates.
• Employ abstract sociological concepts to evaluate intellectual debates in the field of criminology.

• By the end of the module, students should demonstrate:
• Ability to gather appropriate information from a range of sources.
• IT skills relating to the production of summative essays.
• Ability to plan workload and manage time.
• Ability to construct systematic and coherent written arguments.

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

• Lectures: weekly lectures will introduce students to the major theoretical perspectives characterising contemporary sociological criminology.
• Seminars: fortnightly seminars provide an opportunity for seminar tutors to work with small groups, exploring in greater depth, and collectively, themes and issues arising from the lectures and associated reading. A proportion of seminars will be student-led. For these, students will work beforehand in twos/threes on a topic congruent with the learning outcomes for this module, as indicated in the Module Programme, and this will form 20% of their summative assessment for this module.
• Formative work: this optional assessment provides students with opportunities to enhance subject-specific knowledge, subject-specific skills and key skills. Feedback on the formative assignment enables students to critically reflect on the development of their knowledge and skill.
• Summative Assessment: 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. A summative student-led seminar allows them to be assessed on their understanding of a topic, but also on skills of organisation and collaborative working.
• Students will then construct and facilitate a seminar that is designed to ensure fellow students are able to engage with their chosen topic and debate/answer the overall seminar topic.
• The formative assessment helps students prepare for both elements of the summative assessment. The student-led seminar counts for 20% of the module assessment in comparison to 40% each for the summative essay and exam. The key aim of the student-led seminar is to be able to engage with different academic materials, analyse a topic and answer a given question, which the formative assessment also does, just through a written assessment instead of an oral/written format. Students also attend two seminars facilitated by the module convenor before their summative seminar assessment and are provided with examples of how those seminars have been created in order to provide further guidance.
• An examination tests the range, depth and sophistication of a student's knowledge and understanding of the subject matter together with the ability to argue coherently and to communicate effectively in writing under time pressure.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

One optional written assignment of up to 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