Module SOCI3587: Justice, Violence and Abuse

Department: Sociology

SOCI3587: Justice, Violence and Abuse

Prerequisites

• SOCI2281 Violence and Abuse in Society (otherwise must be taken as a corequisite)

Corequisites

• SOCI2281 Violence and Abuse in Society (if not previously completed and passed)

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To introduce Level 3 students to the sociological and criminological theories and research that engages with concepts of justice in the context of responding to sexual and domestic violence.
• To develop student understanding of victim-survivor experiences in the context of responses to violence and abuse in society.
• To develop student understanding of working with and responding to perpetrators of violence and abuse.
• To help students to understand contemporary theories, debates, policies and practices related to responding to violence and abuse.
• To help students develop their abilities to carry out academic and policy-related research in the context of violence and abuse.
• The aims of this module are:
• To facilitate an understanding of key sociological and criminological theories put forward to explain dimensions of justice, intervention and response in the context of domestic and sexual violence;
• To enable students to develop a critical understanding of existing and potential ways through which violence and abuse is responded to in society;
• To be aware of victim-survivor experiences in the context of responses to violence and abuse in society.
• To be aware of practices and outcomes relating to working with and responding to perpetrators of violence and abuse.
• To be able to understand and critically evaluate approaches and policy responses to violence and abuse in society.

Content

• This module will engage with the concept of justice (broadly conceived) in the context of responding to sexual and domestic violence in society. In doing so, the module will explore different theories and research that engages with the topic of justice, and other forms of redress and intervention, from a feminist perspective.
• The module will cover a number of key arenas and models of responding to violence and abuse, such as: victim-survivor perspectives on justice, the criminal justice system, restorative justice, domestic abuse perpetrator programmes, emerging responses, in addition to working with men, employers, and universities to tackle violence and abuse.
• In doing so, this module will explore compelling questions such as ‘what does justice look like for victim-survivors of sexual and domestic violence?’ and ‘What are some of the problems and possibilities that arise with responses to violence and abuse?’

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of the module the typical student will be able to:-
• critically assess different conceptions of justice, intervention and prevention in the context of violence and abuse;
• select an appropriate topic and focus for the assignment, which demonstrates skills of critical analysis, evaluation and conceptual argument; and
• analyse the role and importance of different historical, social, legal and political contexts to responses to, violence and abuse.; and
• an understanding of different policy frameworks in understanding and responding to violence and abuse.
• Upon successful completion of this module, students will have demonstrated:-
• an understanding contemporary sociological and criminological debates and perspectives around responding to violence and abuse in society;
• an understanding of the complex theoretical, empirical and ethical issues involved in responding to violence and abuse;
• a knowledge of the different responses to victims and to perpetrators of violence and abuse; and
• an understanding of different policy frameworks in understanding and responding to violence and abuse.

• Evaluate criminological and sociological arguments and evidence.
• Use abstract theoretical concepts with confidence.
• Be aware of and be able to apply varying perspectives and conceptions of justice.
• Undertake and present criminological and sociological work in a scholarly manner.
• Apply theoretical and /or empirical knowledge to an appropriate sociological/criminological question.
• Convey in writing the meaning of abstract theoretical concepts in ways that are understandable to others.

• Demonstrate a range of communication skills including the ability to: evaluate and synthesize information obtained from a variety of written sources; communicate relevant information in different ways.
• Demonstrate competence in the use of IT resources, including the ability to word-process, use and interpret basic statistical tables and graphs, and use web-based resources (DUO).
• Demonstrate a capacity to improve own learning and performance, including the specific ability to manage time effectively, work to prescribed deadlines, engage in different ways of learning including both independent and directed forms of learning, gather necessary information from a range of bibliographic sources.

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.
• Weekly lectures will introduce students justice arenas and policy frameworks that relate to responding to domestic and sexual violence and abuse. In addition to academic and research material, case studies will also be presented, based on real-life examples. Students will have access to DUO where they will be able to access a reading guide for each lecture.
• Seminars will be organised around themes for discussion and will have designated reading. The aim will be to develop the student’s ability to critically engage with ideas and arguments, and to analyse different concepts, policies and practices relating to responding to violence and abuse. Students will be provided with readings, discussion questions, and other small tasks in advance of each workshop (via Duo), and will be expected to contribute to related class discussions and activities.
• Students will also spend time in self-directed study as they prepare for specific seminar and essay assignments.
• Formative: A critical review of one form of response to violence and abuse (500 words, optional). This formative assignment requires students to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of module topics. The feedback provided on formative work enables students to reflect on their knowledge and understanding, and to improve their performance where appropriate.
• Summative: a summative essay requires students to demonstrate more detailed and extended knowledge of module topics. It also provides an opportunity for feedback.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Students will have the option of submitting a critical review of one form of response to violence and abuse (500 words, optional), to obtain guidance and feedbacks from the module conveners.

■ 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