University of the West of England

MODULE SPECIFICATION

(Revised November 2002)

Code: UPSNMW-30-2 Title: Research Themes and Methods in Criminology

Version: 3

Level: 2 UWE credit rating: 30 ECTS credit rating: 15

Module type: Standard

Owning Faculty: SSH Field: Sociology

Valid from: Sept 2008 (to be) Discontinued from: Sept 2008

Contributes towards: Awards up to BA (Hons)

Pre-requisites: None

Co-requisites: None

Excluded combinations: None

Learning outcomes:

Students are expected to demonstrate:

    1. Knowledge and understanding of research methodology in criminology (assessment components A and B).

    2. The ability to apply these methods in practical social research (demonstrate relevant research skills) (assessment components A and B)

    3. A critical grasp of a range of important contemporary topics or themes of research in the field of criminology and criminal justice (assessment components A and B)

    4. An appreciation of the differences between sociological and non-sociological approaches to researching crime (assessment components A and B)

    5. A comparative and historical understanding of crime and criminal justice (assessment components A and B)

    6. An ability to relate key contemporary research findings, in this area, to theoretical approaches encountered at level one (assessment components A and B)

    7. An ability to independently investigate criminologically informed questions (assessment component B)

    8. An ability to report, interpret, and critically analyse research findings and to understand their limitations (assessment component A and B).

    9. An ability to develop and present a coherent, analytical, criminologically informed argument in essay form (assessment component B)

    10. An ability to make a sociologically informed contribution to group work and seminar discussions

Syllabus outline:

The aim of this module is to provide students with sufficient grounding in research methodology that is criminology-relevant and practical key research skills to engage in independent research projects in the discipline, and to introduce students to a range of critical areas or themes of contemporary research in the field of criminology. The research themes explored and investigated may vary from year to year, but the module will always include

• Methodological issues in researching crime and deviance

• Official statistics and patterns of crime

• Practical research methods – generating and analysing quantitative and qualitative data

Together with a range of concrete research topics such as:

• Victimology and the fear of crime

• Organised crime

• Corporate crime

• White collar crime

• State Crime

• Prisons and penology

• Police and policing

• Juvenile crime

• Drugs and crime

• Crime prevention policy

• Class, Gender, Ethnicity and Crime

• Crime and globalisation

Teaching and learning methods:

    • Weekly lectures

    • Weekly seminars based on a combination of small group discussions, set presentations, and collaborative reading of key texts.

    • Practical research methods workshops

Indicative sources:

Aleksandar, J. (2001), War Crimes and Collective Wrongdoing: A Reader, Blackwell: Oxford

Bean P (2000), Drugs and Crime, Portland: Willan

Coleman, C. and Moyniham, J. (1996), Understanding Crime Data, Buckingham: Open University Press.

Christie, N. (2000), Crime Control as Industry, 3rd edition, London: Routledge

Clancy, A. et al. (2001), Crime, Policing and Justice: The Experience of Ethnic Minorities, London: Home Office Research Unit

Ditton, J. (2000), Fear of Crime, Aldershot: Ashgate

Fields, S. (1999), Trends in Crime Revisited: A Research, Development and Statistics Directorate Report, no. 195, London: Home Office (available at Home Office website)

Friman, R. H. (1999), The Illicit Global Economy and State Power, Oxford: Rowman and Littlefield

Croall, H. (2001), Understanding White Collar Crime, Milton Keynes: Open University Press

Goodey, J. (2004), Victims and Victimology: Research Policy and Practice, London: Longman

Hagan, F.E. (2004). Essentials of Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Criminology, Boston: Allyn and Bacon.

Karmen, A. (2003), Crime Victims: An Introduction to Criminology, London: Wadsworth.

King, R.D. and Wincup, E. (2000), Doing Research on Crime and Justice, Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Leishman, F. et al. (eds) (2000), Core Issues in Policing, 2nd edition, London: Longman

Maguire, M. et al. (eds) (2002) Oxford Handbook of Criminology, 2nd edition, Oxford: Clarendon

Muncie, J. (1999), Youth and Crime: A Critical Introduction, London: Sage

Noakes, E. and Wincup, E. (2004), Criminological Research: Understanding Qualitative Methods, London: Sage

Povie, D. et al. (2001), Recorded Crime, Home Office: HMSO (available on Home Office website)

Ross, J.I. (ed.) (1995), Controlling State Crime: An Introduction, New York and London: Garland

Simmons, J. (2000), Review of Crime Statistics: A Discussion Document, London: Home Office (available at Home Office website)

Slapper, G. and Tombs ,S. (1999), Corporate Crime, London: Longman.

Smith, D. (2004), Gender and Youth Offending, London: Centre for Law and Society

Walklate, S. (2001), Gender, Crime and Criminal Justice, Portland: Willan

Woodiwiss, M. (2001), Organised Crime and American Power, Toronto: University of Toronto Press

Reading Strategy

Students will be encouraged to buy one core text from a number of recommended titles; other essential reading will be provided electronically or as printed study packs. Students will be encouraged to read widely using the library catalogue and internet resources, since it is vital that they continue to develop the skills to research and critique the literature. There is a substantial literature relating to this subject (research methodology in criminological research and central issues in contemporary criminological research) and it is important that students use that which is most appropriate and up to date. In order to assist the student with this a list of recommended texts and a guide to the most appropriate internet resources will be given in the module handbook.

Assessment

Weighting between components A and B (standard modules at levels 0-3 only)

A: 50% B: 50%

ATTEMPT 1

First Assessment Opportunity

Component A

Description of each element: 1 x 3 hour examination Element weighting: 50%

Component B

Description of each element:

Element 1 1x 2000 word essay Element weighting: 25%

Element 2 1x Research Project Proposal Element weighting: 25%

Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes is not required)

Component A

Description of each element: 1 x 3 hour examination Element weighting: 50%

Component B

Description of each element:

Element 1 1x 2000 word essays Element weighting: 25%

Element 2 1x Research Project Proposal Element weighting: 25%

SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT Attendance at taught classes is not required.

Specification confirmed by …Chair’s action following VARSC…Date …09.02.06………

(Associate Dean/Programme Director)

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