1 x written course work assignment 2500 words

This module enables students to examine key issues in contemporary debates concerning crime, deviance and social control. Consideration will be given to a variety of theoretical perspectives both from Sociology and related disciplines. Definitional problems will be explored together with debates over the uses and misuses of official statistics. As a necessary part of those studies we will raise issues about the nature of crime and deviance; the measurement of crime and deviance and the relationship between social structure and crime. Key areas covered by the lecture and seminar programme will include the 'hidden figure' of crime ;individualistic explanations of crime and deviance; functionalist approaches ;labelling approaches ;young people and crime and white collar crime and differential association theory; critical criminologists; social divisions and crime and realist criminologies.

The library
Video Play back facilities
PCs with standard suite of University soft ware providing access to e-mail, the internet, word processing, etc.
Rooms with access for disabled students, and suitable for group work
The Blackboard virtual learning environment will be available (where relevant) to support this module. Details will be supplied in the module handbook.

Croall, H (1998) Crime and Society in Britain Longman Press

Mclaughlin, E. et al eds. (2003) Criminological Perspectives: Essential Readings 2nd Edition Sage

Marsh,I et al eds.(2000) Sociology: Making Sense of Society, Prentice Hall.

Carrabine, E & Cox ,P et al eds. (2002) Crime in Modern Britain Oxford

For 150 hours, of which 26 will be class contact, with 13 whole group contact and 13 part group contact ,and 124 hours will be guided independent study. Whole group contact will consist of formal lectures. Part group contact will be partly centred on discussion of key issues prepared by students in advance, partly on preparation for assessment and guidance for student's work outside of class and guidance over source materials. Student seminar work will be further supported by structured work sheets and formative feedback. Independent learning will consist of preparation for part group sessions, following up of issues via text and other sources and preparation of assessment. The introductory session and assignment tutorial prepare students for assessment and familiarise them with important study skills. Weekly small group seminars are designed to give effective student support and guidance, and to integrate key skills with the substantive curriculum. Individual tutorial support will be provided for assessment preparation. Students will be strongly encouraged to seek individual tutorial guidance.