This module is designed to provide students with a general introduction to the Social Sciences through the critical lenses sociology and criminology. Therefore the module uses the creative pedagogy of film making to help students Iexplore the social nature of crime, deviance and social control, and familiarizes students with key ideas relevant to explaining these phenomena. At the same time the module will also enable students to develop academic skills necessary for them to succeed at university such as active academic reading, developing arguments, understanding assessment strategies, ways of working in groups, giving presentations and library skills. The module will develop students wider self-awareness of themselves as learners and encourage them to actively shape their own learning. This will be evidenced through the production of a portfolio of work to include:
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
The module will be delivered through workshops which combine interactive lectures with small group activities, discussion and practical sessions (eg. library workshops, where possible guest speakers/presentations from professionals in related social science fields) and guided reading. This approach aims to cater for students' different learning styles and foster commitment and engagement. Weekly readings will familiarize students with the process of academic reading and encourage reading as a regular practice. Wide use will be made of the variety of tools available through Canvas.
Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
---|---|---|
Scheduled learning and teaching | Workshops 22 x 2 hours | 44 |
Guided independent study | 256 | |
Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 |
Summative assessments will take the form of a portfolio of evidence assessed by a group podcast of no more than ten minutes reflecting upon the experiences of the group work processes (20%); the production and presentation of a group audio-visual film (30%); a peer assessment task based on the audio-visual film (10%). A 1000 word reflective essay (40%).
The reflective paper will enable students to engage with a range of Social Science and criminological/sociological based concepts that reflect on them critically in the light of their own experiences and/or real world observations.
All summative assessments will be preceded by in-class formative work in which the students will be given feed forward information and opportunities to practice the technqiues, skills and knowledge needed to perform well in their summative assessments.
Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
---|---|
1) Identify and engage with social science, sociological and criminological texts. | Group audio-visual film production and presentation, individual reflective essay |
2) Demonstrate the ability to identify project topics, conduct library based research and present on a specific academic topic as part of a group process. | Group audio-visual film production and presentation, podcast, peer assessment task |
3) Recognize strengths and weaknesses in their approach to study. | Group audio-visual production and Presentation, Group podcast & peer assessment tasks |
4) To introduce students to the application of Social Science and sociological/criminological knowledge in real world settings. | Group audio visual film, individual reflective essay, peer assessment task |
Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Portfolio: Group podcast; assessment exercise; audio-visual film | Coursework | 60 |
Reflective essay | Coursework | 40 |
Total (to equal 100%) | 100% |
It IS NOT a requirement that any element of assessment is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.
Harrison, J., Simpson M. & Harrison, O. (2012) Study Skills for Criminology, London: Sage.
Newburn, T. (2017) Criminology, 3rd ed. London: Routledge.
Burns T. and Sinfield S. (2016) Essential Study Skills. 4th Edition London: Sage Publications
Clyne, T. (2017) An Introduction to Criminology: A plain English guide to criminology, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.
Cottrell, S.(2008) The Study Skills Handbook. 3rd edition. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmilan.
Creme P. and Lea R. (2008) Writing at University. Buckingham: Oxford University Press
Croall, H. (2011) Crime and Society in Britain, London: Longman.
Downs, D. (2011) Understanding Deviance: A Guide to the Sociology of Crime and Rule-Breaking, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Potter, M. (2011), Study Skills, Richmond, Surrey: Trotman