Module Information

Module Identifier
LC32120
Module Title
Animal Abuse and Wildlife Crime
Academic Year
2020/2021
Co-ordinator
Dr Sam Poyser
Semester
Semester 2
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 Assessment ​Group Poster Presentation​  (20 minutes)  50%
Semester Assessment Essay  (2,500 words)  50%
Supplementary Assessment ​Individual poster Presentation  (20 minutes)  50%
Supplementary Assessment Essay​  (2,500 words)  50%

Learning Outcomes

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

​1. Demonstrate an understanding of animal abuse and wildlife crime in a variety of contexts.

2. Critically analyse the key concepts and debates surrounding non-human animal harm.

3. Identify and critically discuss the nature, forms and causes of animal abuse and wildlife crime.

4. Critically assess the impacts and consequences of animal abuse and wildlife crime.

5. Appreciate problems associated with attempts to respond to, control and prevent animal abuse and wildlife crime.

6. Understand the relevance and importance of non-human animal harm to the discipline of criminology.​

Brief description

This module will introduce students to concepts and debates surrounding the problems of ‘animal abuse’ and ‘wildlife crime’ in their various forms. The module critically examines issues relating to abuse and crime wherein non-human animals are harmed. It critically analyses the forms and causes of animal abuse and wildlife crime, as well as control, prevention and punishment through the criminal justice system. Students will also be introduced to the relationship between crime, rural crime and animal abuse with issues such as animal theft from farms, badger bating, livestock worrying and organised crime, associated with wildlife in the rural setting. Students will also critically consider the causes and context of such offending. The module makes reference to relevant legislation within this area and to the monitoring and policing of animal abuse and wildlife crime by the public police and non-governmental organisations. The impacts of animal abuse and wildlife crime on non-human and human animals, the environment and society more generally, are considered and critically assessed. In doing this, the module demonstrates why animal abuse and wildlife crime are important topics for criminology.

Content

Definitions and forms of animal abuse and wildlife crime

Causes of animal abuse and wildlife crime, including perpetrator motivations

Impacts of animal abuse and wildlife crime on non-human and human animals, the environment and society

The relationship between animal harm and interpersonal violence

Specific forms of animal abuse in urban and rural settings

Reponses to animal abuse and wildlife crime, including those of legislators, the police, the courts and non-governmental organisations

Case typologies of animal abuse and wildlife crime.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number
Communication Communicating via a poster presentation.
Improving own Learning and Performance
Information Technology
Personal Development and Career planning Critically considering the causes, impacts and responses to animal abuse and wildlife crime in relation to specific real-world cases.
Problem solving Students will have to critically consider a wide range of issues relating to the causes, consequences and responses to animal abuse and wildlife crime. This will enhance and develop problem solving skills.
Research skills Through the critical analysis of research findings, students will develop an appreciation of how non-human animal harm is caused and responded to.
Subject Specific Skills Reading and understanding relevant materials in the field of animal abuse and wildlife crime.
Team work Working closely with other students on group discussions in seminars.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6