Module SOCI3501: Crime, Justice and the Sex Industry

Department: Sociology

SOCI3501: Crime, Justice and the Sex Industry

Prerequisites

• Modern and Contemporary Sociological Theory (SOCI2261) or Contemporary Criminological Theory (SOCI2231) or Research Methods in Action (SOCI2252)

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To critically examine the historical, legal, social and cultural dimensions of the sex industry within the context of theories of crime and deviance, and social policy.
• To understand and assess the current politics of prostitution reform, at both local and global levels.
• To explore and assess research studies that focus on the lived experience of people working in the sex industry.

Content

• This module will focus on:
• The history of the sex industry in the UK, in the context of contemporary issues of globalisation, the global sex trade, and social policy/prostitution reform.
• An introduction to major criminological approaches to sex work, including feminist theories.
• The legal, social and cultural dimensions of the sex industry drawing upon historical and contemporary empirical research in order to analyse crime, justice and the sex industry in the 21st century.
• Topics covered include:
• Histories of sex work and the sex industry;
• Prostitution and the Criminal Justice System, in the UK and internationally;
• Theoretical approaches and perspectives to sex work, including feminisms, psycho-social approaches, liberal, post-modern and globalisation;
• The Sex Worker’s rights movement;
• Cultural criminology and visual representations of Sex Work;
• Male sex work and queering sex work;
• Migrant sex workers and sex trafficking / 'modern slavery';
• Children and young people in the sex industry;
• Sex work in the media and popular culture.

Learning Outcomes

• On completion of the module students should be able to:
• demonstrate critical understanding of the major themes in the study of the sex industry (historical, legal, social, political, and cultural);
• demonstrate critical understanding of the impact of theoretical criminology in relation to both historical and contemporary dimensions of the sex industry;
• understand and assess related social policy issues, with particular reference to the politics of contemporary prostitution reform (globally and locally).

• On completion of the module students should be able to:
• think critically about recurring and transforming themes and issues in sex work;
• critically evaluate criminological theory in relation to historical and contemporary dimensions of the sex industry;
• critically evaluate and interpret information, evidence and explanations of sex work from a variety of sources and theoretical perspectives.

• On completion of the module students should be able to:
• engage in critical reasoning and informed debate;
• synthesise and critique arguments drawn from a variety of sources, including visual and multi-media;
• communicate arguments effectively in writing;
• carry out independent study and further reading using traditional and electronic sources;
• manage their time and workload;
• demonstrate effective study and learning skills (note taking; avoiding plagiarism, gathering and using information, constructing a bibliography, referencing);
• demonstrate good IT skills in word processing, using the web, using a virtual learning environment (i.e. DUO) and through developing an online essay (Wiki page).

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

• Weekly lectures will introduce students to advanced concepts, arguments and theoretical debates related to criminology and sex work.
• Ten x 1 hour long seminars. The seminars will allow students to apply knowledge of advanced concepts, arguments and theoretical debates to research studies that focus on the lived experience of those working in the sex industry.
• One Wiki training workshop x 1 hour.
• A formative essay (Wiki) will allow students to familiarise themselves with the mode of assessment and receive feedback on their understanding of the task and familiarity with the subject knowledge.
• The summative assignment in the form of a 4000 word essay (Wiki) will test the depth and breadth of student’s analytical skills, theoretical and methodological understanding in one substantive area of study from the module.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

An essay (Wiki) c.1500 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