International Criminal Justice: Comparative Criminology
| Module title | International Criminal Justice: Comparative Criminology |
|---|---|
| Module code | SOC2035 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Ms Ashley Frayling (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 30 |
|---|
Module description
This module is an introduction to comparative criminology and the nature and extent of crime cross-nationally. You will learn about similarities and differences in crime patterns, and responding to crime between and among countries around the world. You will be introduced to relevant international data sources on crime and taught basic statistical analysis to learn how to analyze crime trends cross-nationally using quantitative methods. This module will expose you to the value as well as the difficulties of making cross-national comparisons of crime. Additionally this module will teach you various explanations for different rates of crime and different methods for dealing with crime in different countries.
Data Analysis in Social Science 1 (SSI1006) is a pre-requisite for this module.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to provide you with introductory knowledge of comparative criminology in the globalizing world. It aims to teach you how to read quantitative analysis, as well as how to conduct basic statistics with international crime data. International Criminal Justice: Comparative Criminology will also help develop your critical thinking skills to engage in international policy discussion.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate an understanding of comparative criminology;
- 2. Assess how comparative criminology is conducted and interpreted;
- 3. Engage with data sources and develop skills in basic statistical analysis;
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Demonstrate understanding of explanatory frameworks and their application to this subject area;
- 5. Demonstrate understanding of the different methods of research in the field and their implications for relevant policy;
- 6. Clearly present research, policy debates and your own arguments;
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. Present an argument orally in a clear, organized and effective manner;
- 8. Demonstrate knowledge of descriptive statistics using quantitative data and statistical tools;
- 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
- Comparative Criminology –comparing crime across nations
- Legal traditions and Punishment Philosophies –discuss how different legal and philosophic approaches to crime result in different crime related outcomes
- Comparing Prison Systems, Policing, & Crime Control and Prevention models
- International Crime Statistics –critique sources of crime data
- Describing data –using basic statistics to compare official crime data and victimization survey data among countries
- Comparing means and hypothesis testing –using basic statistics to compare means and test hypotheses with official crime data and victimization survey data among countries
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 128 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 22 | 11 x 2-hour weekly lectures/tutorials (or 1 hour lecture + 1 hour tutorial) |
| Guided Independent Study | 24 | Reading assignments and preparing for the tutorials |
| Guided Independent Study | 40 | Preparing lab assignment |
| Guided Independent Study | 10 | Additional reading/research |
| Guided Independent Study | 54 | Preparation for and completion of all exams |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online tests | 30 minutes | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9 | Written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 40 | 60 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | 60 | 1 hour | 1,2,3,4,5,8,9 | Written |
| Lab assignment | 40 | 1,500 words | 1-6,8,9 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | Examination (1 hour) | 1,2,3,4,5,8,9 | August/September reassessment period |
| Lab assignment | Lab assignment (1,500 words) | 1-6,8,9 | August/September reassessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | Data Analysis in Social Science 1 (SSI1006) |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 20/12/2014 |
| Last revision date | 31/01/2022 |
