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

• During periods of online teaching, for asynchronous lectures in particular, planned lecture hours may include activities that would normally have taken place within the lecture itself had it been taught face-to-face in a lecture room, and/or those necessary to adapt the teaching and learning materials effectively to online learning.
• 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 part of their formative assessment for the module.
• Formative student led seminar: this compulsory assessment helps students prepare for both elements of the summative assessment. 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 essay also does, just through a written assessment instead of an oral/written format. Students also attend a seminar facilitated by the module convenor before their student led seminar assessment and are provided with examples of how those seminars have been created in order to provide further guidance.
• Formative essay: 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 'take-home' 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. One compulsory student led seminar. Students will work with one or two other students to prepare seminar activities and to lead a seminar.

■ 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