Code |
SS222 |
Level |
5 |
Credit rating |
20 |
Pre-requisites |
Normally level 4 criminology modules or equivalent |
Type of module |
Extensive over one semester |
Aims |
|
Learning outcomes/objectives |
On successful completion of the module the student will: 1. Demonstrate their understandings of the ways in which concepts and policies developing in the criminology and criminal justice fields are influenced by culture and can differ significantly from society to society. |
Content |
The course will engage with a variety of issues in crime and justice demonstrating the impact of cultural change and cultural difference upon concepts of crime and justice in society. It is anticipated that precise topics may change with from year to year but an indicative range of issues might be: Contrasts in tolerance; The US ‘Alcohol Prohibition’ Experiment; The Politics of the Death Penalty; Race and the criminal Justice system; Gender, Justice and Social change; High and Low Crime societies; Informal/Community Justice; Law and Order in Transitional Societies; Organised crime in the global context; Comparative youth Justice policies; Gun control policies; Crimes of the State; Justice and international conflicts. |
Teaching and learning strategies |
200 hours of study time delivered through 36 hours direct teaching and 164 hours directed private study outlined in the module handbook. The 200 hours module time will involve approximately 12-14 lectures of one hour’s duration, followed by workshops and a similar number of seminars (total 36 hours class contact). Students will be inducted into the IEE communication program and expected to make 2 postings per week over approximately 5-6 weeks, this is construed as part of the 164 hours private study. |
Learning support |
Lectures, seminars, tutorials. IEE communication program structure, videotapes, extensive Student Central resources and weblinks. Indicative Reading: Blumstein, A. and J. Wallman. 2000. The Crime Drop in America. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. |
Assessment tasks |
A piece of coursework drawing upon the student’s participation in the E-Comm project and containing the student’s reflections upon cultural differences in questions of crime and justice. 1500 words. (LO 4) (40%). A 2,000 word essay reflecting the student’s ability to explain relevant crime and justice issues in other societies whilst demonstrating an understanding of the socially constructed character of key concepts of crime and/or justice by reference to topics covered in the course whilst also (where appropriate) using these ‘transcultural’ ideas to reflect upon understandings of ‘crime’ and ‘justice’ in the UK (50%) (LOs 1, 2 and 3). Students will be required to participate in seminars and to submit postings to the E-Comm project. (LO 4). 10% of the module mark will be allocated to this participation activity but it will not be subject to the usual pass/fail threshold criteria. |
Brief description of module content and/or aims (maximum 80 words) |
Crime and Justice policies are influenced by the cultures and preoccupations of the societies in which they develop. By studying a range of international issues in criminal justice (race, gender, the death penalty, gun control, tolerance) the course explores how cultural factors and social change impact upon notions of crime and notions of justice in different societies . |
Area examination board to which module relates |
SASS Undergraduate |
Module team/authors/coordinator |
Peter Squires (Module Coordinator), Paula Wilcox, Lynda Measor, Dawn Stephen, Craig Johnstone. |
Semester offered, where appropriate |
2 |
Site where delivered |
Falmer |
Date of first approval |
1998 |
Date of last revision |
July 2007 |
Date of approval of this version |
February 2008 |
Version number |
5 |
Course(s) for which module is acceptable and status in that course |
Compulsory: |
School home |
School of Applied Social Science |
External examiner |
Dr. Eileen Berrington from October 2007. |
