Criminology

Year 3 (Level 6)

Option Module Information

October 2015

Year 3 CriminologyModule Information

Learning Framework Module Code / Barred with
CRM3500
Violent Crime
(30 credits)
Essay - 50%
Critical Reflection – 25%
Book review/presentation - 25%
Tutor: Dr Lucy Neville / CRM3315 / Module aims: This module aims to discuss the dynamics of interpersonal violence and its control. This module will enable students to explore and learn about the social and spatial parameters of violent crime; the possible causes and explanations for why violent crime happens; theoretical and layperson perspectives on violence; the forms that violence can take; and how violence can be gendered.
CRM3501
Organised and White Collar Crime
(30 credits)
Coursework – 100%
Tutor:Prof. Vincenzo Ruggiero, Dr. Rodolfo Leyva / CRM3300 / Module aims: This module will introduce students to the critical debates on Organised Crime and Corporate Offenders. They also become acquainted with the issues of defining these areas of criminality and the problems of conducting meaningful research. The programme will begin with explanations of how social, political and economic conditions allowed organised crime to develop and discuss the links with ‘White Collar and Corporate’ Crime.
CRM3520
Drugs, Crime and Criminal Justice
(30 credits)
Coursework – 100%
Tutor:Dr Karen Duke / CRM3330 / Module aims: This module aims to introduce students to the contemporary debates surrounding drugs, drug use and its control. It will develop students’ knowledge and understanding of the processes involved in social definitions of drugs and drug users and their skills in applying criminological theories to drug issues. It aims to facilitate critical analysis and evaluation of the laws, policies and institutions of drugs control and their social, economic and political contexts. The module also aims to foster and develop students’ critical interest in the reform of drugs control policy.
CRM3530
Children as Victims and Offenders
(30 credits)
Coursework – 100%
Tutor: Dr Elena Martellozzo / CRM3320 / Module Aims: This module examines and critically appraises the issue of children as victims and offenders. It explores the functions, roles and responsibilities of a variety of agencies whose task it is to protect children and to work with those in trouble with the law and enables students to develop a critical understanding of the issues underpinning policy and practice in these fields with particular attention to the importance of and problems associated with multi-agency working. The first part of the module focuses on children as victims – of physical, sexual and emotional abuse – noting the relatively recent ‘discovery’ of these crimes, examining the high profile cases and enquiries which have accompanied this process and explaining current legislation relating to and the organisation of child protection in England and Wales. The second part of the module turns to how the criminal justice system regards and deals with young people if they break the law. It provides students with a detailed knowledge of how Youth Offending Teams (YOT's) are structured and operate and contains a strong practice focus. Many students wish to move on to working with young people in the criminal justice system on graduation and the module is designed to acquaint them with the knowledge and skills required in this field.
CRM3540
Gangs and Group Offending (30 credits)
Coursework –100%
Tutor: Dr Simon Harding / Module aims: This module critically examines the concepts of serious group offending and in particular the growing phenomenon of gangs. The existence and prevalence of gangs is contested academically and by practitioners. The module will consider classic and contemporary theories as to why gangs form and in places, thrive; the challenges of defining gangs as opposed to street cultures and peer groups will be considered. Issues such as risks and motivations for joining, membership, behaviours, territoriality, recruitment, levels of violence, criminal activity, gender, links to organised crime, deprivation and globalisation are all pertinent topics addressed in the module. Key issues are identified and critically reviewed such as divergent experiences between the USA a UK, race, gender, partner/agency involvement.
The module takes a left realist approach notably in consideration of recent police and practitioner strategies and initiatives under development regarding desistance, prevention and intervention models.
CRM3550
Justice, Punishment and Human Rights
(30 credits)
Film review – 50%
Essay – 50%
Tutor: Dr Anastasia Karamalidou / Module aims: The objective of this module is to equip students with an understanding of the complex function of punishment as a practice and institution. More specifically, it aims a) to create a critical awareness of the influence of country specific values and circumstances as well as of global developments on the formulation of criminal justice, its responses to crime, deviance and public insecurity, on its modes of punishment and their utility, and b) to foster an appreciation of the human rights issues that different punishment measures and criminal justice responses can give rise to.
CRM3560
Homicide and Serious Crime Investigation (30 credits)
Coursework – 100%
Tutor:Dr Robin Fletcher / CRM3340 / Module aims: This module will introduce students to the process of serious crime investigation and critically examine whether it is an ‘art’ form, relying on the humanistic approaches of intuition and personal experience, or as a ‘science’ through the expansion of forensic techniques. It will further develop the student’s knowledge of this process through the causational theories of homicide and other serious crimes. It aims to facilitate a critical analysis of policy and practise of criminal investigation.
CRM3570
Environmental Justice and Green Criminology (30 credits)
Coursework – 50%
Examination – 50%
Tutor:Dr Angus Nurse / Module aims:The module investigates perspectives on green criminology, and crimes against the environment and animals. It considers environmental and green offending, the regulation of environmental problems, and global perspectives on green crimes and crimes affecting ecosystems. It introduces students to ideas in green criminology, particularly theoretical debates on animal rights and the legal personhood of animals, and the prosecution of environmental crime. The module also examines the link between violence towards animals and violence towards humans and the extent to which animal abuse might be seen as an indicator of future violent offending or anti-social behaviour. The module develops an understanding of theoretical concepts and practical considerations in environmental justice, the enforcement of environmental and species’ legislation and the application of a green perspective to criminal justice.
CRM3580
Dissertation
(30credits)
7,000 word dissertation – 100%
Tutor:Dr Rodolfo Leyva / Module aims: This module aims to synthesise learning from the criminology programmes of study, providing an opportunity for students to study independently and investigate a topic in depth, in accordance with the Criminology Benchmark Statement. It fosters academic curiosity; an inquiry based approach, and the employment and application of research skills thus facilitating the development of a higher level of theorising. Students will select a topic of personal interest on which they wish to undertake an in-depth study. They will manage their own learning during this module, with the support of an allocated supervisor for this period of independent study. Further, students in criminology will have criminology specific dissertation workshops to support their independent study; and formative assessments during the dissertation year to assist with the development and completion of the dissertation.
CRM3590
Special Constabulary (30 credits)
Reflective Diary 30%
Critical Report 70%
Tutor:Edward Thomas / LAW3530 / Module aims: The aim of this module is to link academic learning to the Special Constable training with an opportunity to apply, consolidate and develop skills and knowledge future employment. This practical experience module provides the means for students to link academic work with the 'real world' situation in order to conceptualise the meaning of theory in the wider context. This module facilitates the embedding of transferable and graduate skills necessary for future career paths and employment.
LAW3330
Integrated Learning and Work Placement(30 credits)
Reflective Diary 30%
Critical Report 70%
Tutor:Dr. Angus Nurse, Emma Dowling / CRM3590
IPL3003 / Placement learning aims to link academic learning to a placement organisation providing an opportunity to apply, consolidate and develop skills and knowledge from University to the placement and future employment. This practical experience module provides the means for students to link academic work with the 'real world' situation in order to conceptualise the meaning of theory in the wider world context. This module facilitates the embedding of transferable and graduate skills necessary for future career paths and employment. It is envisaged the student will reflect upon areas of knowledge relevant to the placement learning experience and develop personal knowledge through a review of their learning. The placement learning experience provides students with the opportunity to enhance their skills of self expression, communication, self reliance and co-operation. Students will also engage in risk assessment.
CRM3502
Forensic Mental Health and Offending
(30 credits)
Coursework 100%
Tutor: Julie Trebilcock / Module aims: Are mentally disordered offenders "mad" or "bad"? Should they be "treated" or "punished"? What is the relationship between "mental health" and offending? These are just some of the questions that this exciting new third year module will introduce you to as we explore the key debates, theoretical perspectives and differing responses that surround forensic mental health.
The module begins by introducing students to the variety of different ways in which mental health has been classified, understood and responded to. We start by tracing the history of the asylums and psychiatry through to the deinstitutionalisation of the mentally ill and move towards ‘care in the community’. Subsequent political and public responses to a small number of high profile offences by the mentally ill in the 1990s are considered before the current framework of services for mentally disordered offenders is outlined. This will enable students to critically engage with the development of criminal justice and health responses to mentally disordered offenders and consider the theoretical and practical challenges that are raised by our attempts to identify and target so called ‘dangerous’ people. The problems surrounding treatment and making accurate predictions of risk will also be explored. Key themes of the module will be drawn out through the use of key case studies including severe personality disorder and drug misuse.