Criminology: Understanding Crime and Victimisation
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| SOCI1011 | Sociology and Social Policy | 1 | 20 | Autumn UK |
- Code
- SOCI1011
- School
- Sociology and Social Policy
- Level
- 1
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Autumn UK
Summary
This module lays the foundations for further study in criminology by looking at its development as a discipline that explores both crime and victimisation. The main focus of the module is on key theoretical perspectives in criminology, and how they help us to understand and explain crime and victimisation and social reactions to it.
Topics covered include:
- An overview of criminology as a discipline/field of study.
- Theoretical perspectives in criminology.
- Frameworks for identifying and defining crime and victimisation.
- The production of knowledge about crime and victimisation.
Target Students
Available to all level 1 students in the School of Sociology and Social Policy and level 1 and level 2 subsidiary students from outside the school and exchange students.
Classes
This module is taught through a combination of lectures and seminars.
Assessment
- 50% Coursework 1: 2,000 words.
- 50% Coursework 2: 2,000 words.
Assessed by end of autumn semester
Educational Aims
The aim of the module is to introduce students to the study of criminology: how the main theoretical perspectives in criminology can be used to understand and explain different types of criminal behaviour;how crime and victimisation is defined and by whom; and how social reactions to crime and victimisation may be investigated.Learning Outcomes
- Identify and apply key concepts and theory that underpin crime and victimisation.
- Discuss and explain the various perspectives and definitions that underpin the concepts ‘crime’ and ‘victimisation’;
- Demonstrate how crime and victimisation is socially constructed.
- Apply the concepts and theories that underpin crime and victimisation to contemporary examples.
Professional/Practical Skills
Students who successfully complete the module will be able to:
- Effectively organise their time to meet the module objectives.
- Provide full and effective support for points being made.
- Read, summarise and comment appropriately on scholarly writing in criminology.
Transferable/Key Skills
Students who successfully complete the module will be able to demonstrate the following transferable/key skills:
- Written and oral communication.
- Self-management in relation to their own learning.
- Problem-solving.
- Critical thinking.
- Basic literacy in the use of information technology for the purposes of completing the quizzes and accessing material relevant for the module through Moodle.
Conveners
- Dr Lauren Bradford