Module Information

Module Identifier
LC21020
Module Title
Police, Policing and Society
Academic Year
2020/2021
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1
Exclusive (Any Acad Year)
Mutually Exclusive
Other Staff

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Due to Covid-19 students should refer to the module Blackboard pages for assessment details

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Exam 2 Hours   Unseen written examination  50%
Semester Assessment 2500 word essay  50%
Supplementary Exam 2 Hours   Resit missing or failed written examination  50%
Supplementary Assessment Resubmit missing or failed 2500 word essay  50%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate a sound awareness and unerstanding of the major theories, perspectives and concepts related to policing.

2. Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding fo police goveernance and accountability locally, national and internationally.

3. Students will develop reflective skills and will also be actively encouraged to think critically about the application of police policies in police practice.

4. Identify different ways in which policing has undergone social, political and legal transformation; evaluate how these transformations have impacted policies, practices and debates.

5. Explain and analyse how processes of ‘pluralisation’ and ‘globalisation’ have impacted upon different policing stakeholders and segments of the public.

6. Demonstrate an awareness of nuanced concepts of plural policing and security governance from a socio-legal perspective.

Aims

This module is designed to introduce students to the broader concepts of police and policing in society. It will introduce students to a wide range of contemporary debates in policing; at a national and international level. This interdisciplinary module will encourage students to consider the relationship between police policies and governance and police practice as well as the problems associated with police reform. It will provide students with graduate level theoretical knowledge of policing and social control and the opportunity to develop a reflexive skill set that contributes to their development as future criminal justice practitioners.

Brief description

This module provides students with a knowledge and understanding of the role and functions of the police and other forms of policing. It introduces students to the broader concepts of ‘security governance’ and ‘plural policing’ from local, national and international perspectives. In examining the relationship between the Police and policing, the module accounts for key historical transformations of policing and the impact and consequences for contemporary society. The interdisciplinary focus of the module considers explores these themes from criminological, legal, psychological, and sociological perspectives.

Content

1. Police Governance in the United Kingdom
Models and Functions
Governance / Accountability
Legitimacy
Democratic Policing

2. Police Sociology
Police Culture
Discretion
Social exclusion

3. Plural Policing
Community policing
Partnerships
Private policing
Embedded Policing

4. Policing in a Global Perspective
Comparative Policing
Transnational Policing

Delivery:
22 x 1 hour lectures
3 x 2 hour seminars

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number Through the critical analysis of research findings students will develop an appreciation of how theory and practice merge within a police setting.
Communication Oral communication will be encouraged during interactive seminar discussion and group work conducted within the seminar series. Written communication will be developed and assessed within the coursework.
Improving own Learning and Performance Interactive lectures and seminars will encourage the critical and lateral thinking of students. Tasks and exercises set in seminars will facilitate the learning of abstract concepts and application of these to real life settings. The essay assignment will develop organisational skills and encourage students to reflect on the learning and teaching of the module content in a progressive manner.
Information Technology Searches of on-line electronic databases and journals will provide practice in IT skills. The core module content and lecture handouts will be made available on Blackboard.
Personal Development and Career planning ​Independent study in preparation for lectures and seminars will develop autonomy in student’s learning. Group work and will equip students with the communication skills to engage with others in the work place. The preparation and necessary engagement with the course for the essay assignment will encourage students to attend all lectures and seminars and actively participate in the tasks.
Problem solving Students will have to consider a wide range of issues raised in relation to the police, policing, social control and governance. This will enhance and develop problem solving skills and critical analysis.
Research skills Research skills will be developed by accessing and analysing literature on policing related themes in order to prepare and complete the assessed work.
Subject Specific Skills Students will develop reflective skills and will also be actively encouraged to think critically about the application of police policies in police practice.
Team work Small group work within seminars will foster team working and develop knowledge exchange between students and tutors.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5