This is a core module on the MA Criminology programme that aims to deconstruct the fundamental elements of criminology. In so doing, it develops a critical understanding of the concepts of ‘crime', ‘offender' and ‘victim', and their relationship to each other and to broader concepts of ‘harm'. The first part of the module explores a range of contemporary issues in crime and victimisation, fostering a critical awareness of their theoretical underpinning and of the role of power in defining and enforcing crime, and in labelling offenders and victims.
In the second part of the module students will engage critically with the concept of ‘justice' and criminological debates concerning to what extent justice is or is not accomplished through formal responses to crime. Within this section students will study the development, transformation, and the politics of policing as the gate keeping institution to ‘justice'. Students will then study the philosophical justifications to punish, its theoretical explanations, and analyse its historical and contemporary forms. The module recognises the increasingly international nature of crime control and incorporates a comparative analysis of criminal justice. In so doing students will think critically about the role of structure and agency in understanding convergent and divergent practice in crime control and punishment.
Teaching and learning is in the form of a weekly two hour structured workshop that will provide students with the opportunity to critically engage with key issues and debates on crime, crime control, harm and justice. The teaching and learning strategy within the workshop will comprise:
The learning strategy requires a high level of student participation and students taking this module will be required to take responsibility for advancing their own learning through preparatory reading prior to workshops and completing any pre-set tasks that are made available through Canvas.
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 22 x 2 hour workshops | 44 |
| Guided independent study | 256 | |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 | |
Summative assessment comprises:
1) One 3000 word essay that demonstrates knowledge, understanding and critical engagement with crime, harm and justice and that is written in accordance with academic conventions (70%)
2) One 20 minute individual multi-media presentation on the analysis of a crime control policy in either a local or international setting (30%).
Formative workshop discussions will enable students to learn from the work of each individual and allow students the opportunity to present their arguments informed by their independent reading and research in an informal, non-assessed and supportive environment, and to obtain formative feedback from a variety of participants.
Formative diagnostic 1500 word essay will be set early on in the module and will allow students to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of fundamental criminology and to obtain written feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of their academic writing skills. This will allow time for any improvements and support to be had in preparation for the 3000 word summative assessment positioned at the end of the module.
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| To demonstrate their theoretical knowledge on the construction of crime | Summative 3000 word essay Formative: workshop discussions and group presentations |
| To identify and analyse the relationship between crime, harm and victimization | Summative 3000 word essay Formative: workshop discussions and group presentations |
| To demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of historical and contemporary policing practice | Summative 3000 word essay Formative: workshop discussions and group presentations |
| To critically analyse theoretical explanations and empirical findings concerning the emergence of, and implementation of crime control and penal policies. | Summative 3000 word essay Formative: workshop discussions and group presentations |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Essay 3000 words | 70 |
| Presentation | Presentation | 30 |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It IS NOT a requirement that any major assessment category is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.
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