University of the West of England
MODULE SPECIFICATION
(Template revised October 2005)
Code: UPSNQA-30-3 Title: Critical Criminology Version: 4
Level: 3 UWE credit rating: 30 ECTS credit rating:
Module type: Standard
Owning Faculty: Social Sciences and Humanities Field: Sociology
Valid from: September 2008 Discontinued from:
Contributes towards: Awards up to BA (Hons)
Pre-requisites: None
Co-requisites: None
Excluded combinations: None
Learning outcomes:
On completion of the module students are expected to demonstrate:
1) Detailed knowledge and clear understanding regarding the diversity of thought about crime, criminalisation and deviance (Component A and B).
2) Good understanding of a range of critical criminological theories (Component A and B).
3) The ability to explore themes relating to victimology and human rights in relation to critical criminological theories (Components A and B).
4) The ability to identify the nature of, and the divisions between, contemporary theoretical paradigms (Component A).
5) The necessary skills to analyse and evaluate the various critical theories in relation to the development of social control, surveillance, and punishment (Components A and B).
6) The ability to identify links between critical criminological theory and criminal justice practice (Components A and B).
7) The application of knowledge and understanding to independently plan and produce a coherent, analytical, well reasoned argument in essay form (Component A and B).
Syllabus outline:
The aim of this module is twofold: to increase the student’s knowledge base in relation to the key concepts and theoretical perspectives within critical criminology; and, secondly, to encourage the assessment, evaluation and analysis of the theoretical perspectives explored. Content may vary from year to year, but the module is expected to include:
• The emergence of critical criminology
• Gender theories
• Class-based theories
• Cultural criminology
• Post-colonial theories
• Post-modern/structuralist theories
• Green criminology
• Peace-making
• Penal abolitionism
• Globalization
• State crime
Teaching and learning methods:
• Weekly lectures to provide initial information and an overview of each of the areas of discussion.
• Weekly seminars based on a combination of small group discussions, independent and collaborative reading of key texts.
Reading Strategy:
There is a substantial amount of literature available relating to critical criminology. Essential readings will be provided electronically through digitalisation or electronic links to articles. A list of indicative readings and a guide to the most appropriate internet resources will be provided in the module handbook. In addition, students will be encouraged to read widely using the library catalogue, electronic databases, and internet resources to ensure they continue to develop the skills to source and assess a range of literature. As students develop areas of particular interest they will need to have the necessary skills to identify literature and resources that will most appropriately meet their needs.
Indicative Reading List:
The following list is offered to provide validation panels/accrediting bodies with an indication of the type and level of information students may be expected to consult. As such, its currency may wane during the life span of the module specification. However, as indicated above, CURRENT advice on readings will be available via other more frequently updated mechanisms.
Barak, G (1998), Integrating Criminologies. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
Bauman, Z (2000), Liquid Modernity. Cambridge: Polity.
Bloomberg, T. and Cohen, S. (Eds) (1995) Punishment and Social Control. New York: Aldine De Gruyer.
Carlen, P. (Ed.) (2002) Women and Punishment: The Struggle for Justice. Cullompton: Willan.
Christie, N (2000), Crime Control as Industry (3rd ed). London: Routledge.
Ferrell, J. and Saunders, C. (Eds.) (1995) Cultural Criminology. Boston: Northeastern University Press
Foucault, M. (1977) Discipline and Punish. New York: Pantheon.
Fuller, J. (2005) Criminal Justice: Mainstream and Crosscurrents. Indiana: Prentice Hall
Giddens, A. (1991), Modernity and Self-Identity. Cambridge: Polity.
Gilroy, P. (1993) The Black Atlantic: Modernity & Double Consciousness. London: Verso.
Green, P. and Ward, T. (2004) State Crime: Governments, Violence and Corruption. London: Pluto Press.
Hall, S. et al. (1979) Policing the Crisis: Mugging, the State and Law and Order. London: Macmillan.
Lanier, M. and Henry, S. (1998), Essential Criminology. Boulder, CO: Westview.
Lea, J. (2002), Crime and Late Modernity. London: Sage.
Matthews, R. (1996), Doing Time. London: Macmillan.
Matthews, R. and Pitts, J. (Eds.) (1998) Crime, Disorder and Community Safety. London: Routledge.
Messerschmidt, J. (2000), Nine Lives; Adolescent Masculinities, The Body and Violence. Boulder, CO: Westview.
Muncie, J. (2004), Youth and Crime. London: Sage.
Presdee, M. (2000), Cultural Criminology and the Carnival of Crime. London: Routledge.
Rock, P. (1988) The History of British Criminology. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Ruggiero, V., South, N. and Taylor, I. (Eds) (1998) The New European Criminology. London: Routledge.
Ruggiero, V. (2000), Crime and Markets. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Tierney, J. (1996) Criminology: Theory and Context. Hemel Hempstead: Prentice Hall.
van Swaaningen, R. (1997) Critical Criminology: Visions from Europe. London: Sage.
Walton, P. and Young, J. (1998) The New Criminology Revisited. London: Macmillan
Young, I. M. (1990), Justice and the Politics of Difference. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
Young, J (1999), The Exclusive Society. London: Sage.
Journals:
Critical Criminology
European Journal on Crime Policy and Research
Punishment and Society
Theoretical Criminology
Assessment
Weighting between components A and B A: 50% B: 50%
ATTEMPT 1
First Assessment Opportunity
Component A (Controlled conditions)
Description of each element Element weighting
1. 1 x 3 hour exam 50%
Component B
Description of each element Element weighting
1. 1 x 3000 word essay 50%
Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes is not required)
Component A (Controlled conditions)
Description of each element Element weighting
1. 1 x 3 hour exam 50%
Component B
Description of each element Element weighting
1. 1 x 3000 word essay 50%
SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT: Attendance at taught classes is/is not required.
Specification confirmed by ……Approved at VARC meeting…………Date …21.03.07……………
(Associate Dean/Programme Director)