SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT:

Teaching Block 1:

Electronic on line short answer examination (100%) assessing all Learning Outcomes 1-5


Additional Assessment Details

Working towards the assessment tasks will be a key element of the learning, and tutors will be available to guide students through the process. Face to face contact sessions focussed on assessment activities will be scheduled into the timetable.

The module allows students to delve in to the fascinating filed of serial killers. This module is used to develop the students’ thirst for reading and research. The subject is intended to prompt an interest in analysing competing criminological theories and allow the students to build on their critical analysis. This subject will hopefully provide reading and research skills that can be transferred to other modules.

Issues covered include:
1: An introduction to serial killing as a criminological phenomena
2: Historical background
3: Exploring the definition of serial killing
4: Categories
5: Biological
6: Psychological Perspective
7: sociological
8: Media and serial killers
9: Justice in the modern prison
10: case studies
11. Criminal law and serial killers

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the criminological theories that attempt to explain the phenomena of serial killing. To differentiate between serial killers, mass murders and spree killers.
Knowledge & Understanding

2. Apply the criminological theories on to a number of British case studies. Using the often competing theories to compare and contrast cases.
Application

3. Using research and academic opinion to provide an analysis of several British cases. These cases rely on historical and contemporary data.
Analysis

4. Using problem solving to determine whether serial killing is a distinctly modern phenomenon, a
product of relatively recent social and cultural conditions. Provide fresh insights by accentuating the broad institutional frameworks, motivations, and opportunity structures within which serial killing occurs
Problem Solving

5. Communicate complex ideas, problems and solutions clearly and succinctly through a variety of media. To present findings verbally to a panel or audience in group learning and assessment settings.
Communication

The learning strategy for this module is based around students committing a total of 150 hours of activities, split between 33 hours of direct contact with a tutor and 117 hours of directed and independent study, together with preparation for and completion of assessment tasks.

WHOLE GROUP SESSIONS
In these sessions, students are introduced to the general concepts underlying the subject, and provided with an outline of the relevant legal principles and cases. Teaching materials, including the use of the VLE platform, supplement the sessions. These sessions guide students towards consolidating their knowledge and understanding

SMALLER GROUP SESSIONS
These are preceded by a period of independent learning. The module materials contain indicative reading for each session, together with subjects for discussion and case studies. The purpose of the smaller group sessions is to help students assess their understanding of a topic, to develop analytical skills, and to learn how to apply criminological principles to factual situations. For all smaller group sessions, there are questions to help guide reading and preparation. The sessions encourage active participation and interaction among students and between students and tutors. A variety of teaching methods is adopted in order to encourage the development of essential skills such as intellectual rigour, communication, problem solving, research, teamwork, negotiation, presentation, referencing, judgement and the appropriate use of IT

DIRECTED AND INDEPENDENT STUDY (117 hours)
Independent study includes research and preparation for the work to be undertaken in the smaller group sessions and consolidation of understanding afterwards. Directed study opportunities, such as online tests, are provided to enable students to revise key topics at important stages in the module. Directed and independent study aims to develop a deeper understanding of issues within this area of criminological research. Students are provided with guidance in their module materials, including via Blackboard. Completion of the tasks encourages students to assess their progress, identify strengths and weaknesses and manage their time more effectively.
Pre-seen guidance to support research for the assessment is provided.

Module Study Guide

Access to appropriate primary and secondary legal resources

Computing facilities to access material available via Blackboard, and the Web

Kevin Haggerty & Ariane Ellerbrok (2011) The social study of serial killers, Criminal Justice Matters, 86:1, 6-7,
DOI: 10.1080/09627251.2011.646180

Weatherby, G. A.; Buller, D. M.; McGinnis, K. (2009). "The Buller-McGinnis model of serial-homicidal behavior: An integrated approach" . Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice Research and Education 3 (1).

Wilson, D. (2009) A History Of British Serial Killing: The Shocking Account of Jack the Ripper, Harold Shipman and Beyond. London. Law Trove: Criminal Justice & Criminology 2016 https://global.oup.com/academic/product/law-trove-criminal-justice-and-criminology-2015-9780191820083?cc=gb&lang=en&#

The module allows students to delve in to the fascinating filed of serial killers. This module is used to develop the students’ thirst for reading and research. The subject is intended to prompt an interest in analysing competing criminological theories and allow the students to build on their critical analysis. This subject will hopefully provide reading and research skills that can be transferred to other modules.

Issues covered include:
1: An introduction to serial killing as a criminological phenomena
2: Historical background
3: Exploring the definition of serial killing
4: Categories
5: Biological
6: Psychological Perspective
7: sociological
8: Media and serial killers
9: Justice in the modern prison
10: case studies
11. Criminal law and serial killers