Social Issues: Part I - Introducing Crime and Deviance
| Module title | Social Issues: Part I - Introducing Crime and Deviance |
|---|---|
| Module code | SOC1039 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Professor Brian Rappert (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 45 |
|---|
Module description
This module offers a foundational basis to the study of social life by introducing you to the social study of crime, deviance, and the criminal justice system. This will include examining the historical patterning of crime, the 'causes' of illegal activities and social responses to such acts. Taking this module you will learn to understand the multi-perspectival nature of the study of crime, to explore terrains that are often contested, and to develop a critical appreciation of the methodological issues associated with knowing rates of crime. The module will include elements of taught instruction and small group discussions. The main teaching method consists of lectures and tutorials. You will work independently on the summative and formative assessment exercises. No pre-requisites or co-requisites are required. It is suitable for non-specialist students and those on interdisciplinary pathways.
Module aims - intentions of the module
* Introduce you to central issues within the study of crime and deviance
* Situate the study of crime and its causes within the social sciences as a whole
* Foster understanding of the varied qualitative and quantitative methodologies for assessing crime
* Enable you to undertake independent research
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of theories of crime and deviance;
- 2. Demonstrate an understanding of the qualitative and quantitative methodological foundations of criminology;
- 3. Identify and locate relevant materials and information in support of research;
- 4. Synthesise and critically assess the relationship between disciplinary approaches to crime;
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate literature (theoretical and empirical investigations);
- 6. Conduct independent criminological research;
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. Conduct independent criminological research;
- 8. Apply social research insights and findings to problems confronting our society; and
- 9. Demonstrate the ability to work independently, within a limited time frame, and without access to external sources, to complete a specified task.
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:
Topic 1 Introduction
Topic 2 Crime, punishment and the politics of law and order
Topics 3&4 Types of crime (domestic violence, 'white collar' crime)
Topic 5 The extent of crime and criminal statistics
Topic 6 The media and crime
Topic 7 Theoretical approaches to crime
Topics 8 Policing crime
Lectures provide you with a broad overview of the study of crime; they cover more ground than is possible in tutorials, and are designed to establish a context in which to think about the issues discussed in tutorials.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 128 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 11 | 11 x one hour weekly lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 11 | 11 x 1 hour weekly tutorials |
| Guided independent study | 33 | Course readings |
| Guided Independent study | 67 | Preparation for essays, library, research |
| Guided Independent study | 28 | Examination revision |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay plan | 250 words | 1-8 | Written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 50 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 50 | 1,500 words | 1-8 | Written |
| Examination | 50 | 1 hour | 1-9 | Written |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | Essay (1,500 words) | 1-8 | August/September reassessment period |
| Examination | Examination (1 hour) | 1-9 | August/September reassessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Basic reading:
Elmsley, C., Crime and Society in England, 1750-1900 (2010) Longman
Jewkes, Y. and G. Letherby (eds.) 2002. Criminology.
Maguire, M., Morgan, R. and Reiner, R. (eds.) (1997) The Oxford Handbook in Criminology.
Morrison, W., Theoretical Criminology, from modernity to postmodernism [1995] Routledge-Cavendish
Musson, A., Crime, Law and Society in the Later Middle Ages (2010), Manchester University Press.
Waddington, PAJ. (1999) Policing Citizens.
ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 4 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 14/11/2013 |
| Last revision date | 22/02/2022 |
