Module Identifier
CR30720
Module Title
CRITICAL CRIMINOLOGY
Academic Year
2008/2009
Co-ordinator
Miss Katherine S Williams
Semester
Semester 1
Pre-Requisite
LA39220
Pre-Requisite
CR10120
Other Staff
 

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Lecture 30 hrs (1 x 2hr session and 2 x 1hr sessions per week)
Seminars / Tutorials 6hrs (3 x 2hr Seminars)
Lecture 30 hrs (1 x 2hr session and 2 x 1hr sessions per week)
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment 1000 word essay to be submitted in appropriate semester  33%
Semester Exam 1.5 Hours   1.5hr exam at end of appropriate semester  67%
Supplementary Assessment 1000 word essay to be submitted in appropriate semester  33%
Supplementary Exam 1.5 Hours   1.5hr exam at end of appropriate semester  67%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate a sound understanding of the major theories, perspectives, and concepts in the study of critical criminology.
2. Identify how critical criminology differs from traditional and mainstream approaches to the study of crime and criminality.
3. Describe how critical theories view crime and deviance as socially and legally constructed concepts.
4. Explain how critical criminology accounts for the emergence and development of crime control policies.
5. Identify the key dynamics, processes and problems facing contemporary critical perspectives in criminology.
6. Display an awareness of how official and unofficial structures and processes of law enforcement and punishment are influenced by political, philosophical and ideological factors.
7. Analyse and evaluate the extent to which critical theories challenge or support contemporary policies designed to reduce crime and manage the `crime problem¿.
8. Appreciate the contribution feminist perspectives have made to critical criminology.

Brief description

Academic rationale of the proposal: This builds on the core elements of the first year and provides an in-depth analysis of the subject from one of the central modern theoretical positions in criminology.

Brief Description: Criminology is a subject which interacts with governmental, political and power structures. This module assesses the extent to which these impact on crime, criminals and victims and whether they should be considered as causing rather than solving the problem. It will therefore explore the role of the State in managing crime problems, the role of the media and gender perspectives. It will also consider punishment and issues such as abolitionism and the use of rehabilitation as an assimilationist tool.

Content:
Early Critical theories
Conflict Theories
Early Radical Criminology
Symbolic Interactionism
Labelling theory
Phenomenology
Modern Radical Theories
Feminist Theories
Punishment and Abolitionism
Punishment and Rehabilitation

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number Understanding and evaluating relevant quantitative research data will be a part of the module, at least in relation to certain theories.
Communication Oral communication skills will be encouraged and honed in seminars and also in lectures - not assessed. Written communication skills will be practised through note taking both in lectures and private study and in formal submission of written work in assignments and examinations.
Improving own Learning and Performance Students will be expected to read selected texts and from these materials build on their lectures and test their own learning, especially in seminars. This will enable them to take more control over their learning and to locate problem areas which they will be supported in overcoming.
Information Technology Preparation for seminars, the assignments and the examination will all require use of the library databases and other electronic databases. Students will be referred to useful urls and be encouraged to retrieve data electronically - not assessed. Students will be encouraged to prepare their assignment electronically - not assessed.
Personal Development and Career planning Enhanced capacity for independent and critical thought. Good time-management skills in preparing for seminars and submitting work on time - not assessed.
Problem solving Students will be studying legal, theoretical and sociological sources to ascertain how these interplay to solve some difficult issues of law and crime control.
Research skills Students will be expected to locate material both on line and in the library and to use these materials for assignments and seminar preparations. They will be encouraged to develop individual research skills in order to perform these tasks effectively.
Subject Specific Skills
Team work As well as individual work, the seminars will involve team work tasks allowing students to support each other in interactive learning.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6