This module shares the first two weeks between sociology and Crime, Deviance and Society students.

Sociology students will follow a pathway that introduces them to the theoretical origins of sociology as well as to sociological theories, perspectives and evidence regarding modernity and the social world. Students will be familiarised with the idea of a science of society and where it originated, as well as with the theories of the founders of sociology as a discipline (Durkheim, Weber and Marx) as well as contemporary sociological theories and perspectives (such as the Frankfurt School, Feminism, Symbolic Interactionism, Postmodernism). The module will explore how sociological theory explains the transformation and broad contours of modern society, especially its defining characteristics and its most pressing problems. Moreover, it will show how sociological theorists
conceptualise these social transformations through their analysis of society and the dilemmas confronting it.

Crime, Deviance and Society students will follow a pathway that enables students to examine key issues from
crime, deviance, social control and the criminal justice system. Consideration will be given to various theoretical perspectives from Sociology and related disciplines. Key areas include the 'hidden figure' of crime, individualistic explanations of crime and deviance, functionalist approaches, the labelling perspective, the relationship between poverty and inequality and crime, differential association theory and social learning theory. Issues will be raised over the nature of crime and deviance, its measurement and the relationship between social structure and crime. The impact of industrialisation, urbanisation, de-industrialisation and economic restructuring and the impact upon crime and tackling crime will be considered along with views from offenders and victims and reporting from the media. The module offers the opportunity to explore a range of reasons as to why people offend and what has been done to tackle offending behaviour with consideration to different research approaches used to identify causes of crime and the effectiveness of systems and interventions.

One 2,500 word essay weighted at 50% [LO 1 & 3]

One portfolio including an on line presentation, a book review and a 1000 word written assignment totalling 2,500 words and weighted at 50%. [LO 2 & 4]

KEY INFORMATION SET:
100% coursework

This is a blended learning module in which students will engage with group lectures, and seminars or workshops for 2 hours a week 5 times throughout the semester. The remainder of the module will consist of guided reading and Blackboard based activities which provide a basis for regular formative feedback. This directed study scheme form an explicit part of the independent learning strategy, requiring students to work on particular materials, issues and concepts. At the end of week 2 students will be asked to confirm their desired route - sociology or crime and deviance and then will follow the appropriate pathway. Students are encouraged to seek individual tutorial guidance to support their learning and/or to prepare for assessment.

KEY INFORMATION SET:
6.7% scheduled learning and teaching activities comprising:
Lectures
Seminars
Formative assessments
Personal tutorials

93.3% guided independent learning activities comprising:
Guided reading and research
Preparation for scheduled sessions
Completion of assessment tasks

The library and e-brary
Blackboard
Lecture and seminar rooms with Powerpoint presentation and DVD playback facilities
PCs with student access to email, internet and word-processing
Rooms with access for disabled students and suitable for group work

Chivers B & Shoolbred M (2007) Students Guide to Presentations. Sage Publications, US (ebrary)
Collins, Randall (1994) Four Sociological Traditions, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Croall H (2011) Crime & Society in Britain. Pearson. Harlow.
Crow I & Semmens N (2008) Researching Criminology. Open University Press, Oxon (ebrary)
Dillon, Michele (2010) Introduction to Sociological Theory. Theorists, Concepts and their Applicability to the Twenty-First Century, Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.
Giddens, Anthony (2009) Sociology, Cambridge: Polity Press.
Giddens, Anthony and Philip W. Sutton (eds) (2010) Sociology: Introductory Readings, Cambridge, Polity Press
Mclaughlin,E et al (2003) Criminological Perspectives; Essential Readings 2nd Ed.Sage Publications
Muncie J & Wilson D (eds) (2004) Student Handbook of Criminal Justice & Criminology. Cavendish Publishing, London
Tierney J (2009) Key Perspectives in Criminology. Open University Press, Maidenhead (E-bray)
Walklate S (2003) Understanding Criminology 2nd Ed Open University Press, Buckingham (E-bray)