Module SXY-1005:
Introduction to Criminology

Module Facts

Run by School of History, Law and Social Sciences

20.000 Credits or 10.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 2

Organiser: Prof Stefan Machura

Overall aims and purpose

Criminology is one of the most fascinating areas of study. Crime forms a major issue for societies and people discuss crime frequently. It also has become a hot political topic in many countries, being related to worries about the condition of society. "Introduction to Criminology" familiarizes first year students with major ways of thinking about crime. The module introduces some of the main theoretical perspectives within criminology. Theories have been developed since the 18th century in an attempt to explain why people commit crime or resist crime, and the history of thought on this question will be examined. The module considers the shifting definitions of crime and offenders. Empirical concerns are likely to include the role of the media in crime construction, everyday-crime, subcultures and crime, modern slavery, safeguarding children and domestic violence, the experiences of citizens of crime and their attitudes to crime. Examples will be chosen from history and present time, from the UK, the United States and other countries. The module covers the crimes of the powerful as well as the crimes committed by the ordinary (wo)man on the steet. Relations of crime to the economic and political system, as well as to 'private' areas of e.g. the family, will be explored.

Course content

Weekly lectures will cover the topics:

  • Definitions of crime and criminology.
  • For what do we use criminological theory?
  • The Situational Action Theory of crime
  • Early sociological theories of crime I and II: Durkheim and Marx
  • Sociological theories of crime III: American approaches from Merton to the labelling theory.
  • Developmental criminology.
  • Experiences with crime: offenders, the public and victims.
  • Theories of crime in the media and of audience responses.
  • Neo-Durkheimian theory: social identity and justice.

The lecture is accompanied by workshop groups. Students will be assigned to one of the groups where they will have the opportunity to engage in a discussion on selected topics. Workshops also offer exercises to prepare for the assignments.

Assessment Criteria

C- to C+

C- to C+ (50-59%) Show a satisfying understanding of some of the main criminological explanations of why crime is committed, and explain and evaluate a sufficient number of the main similarities and differences between these theories; demonstrate a good understanding of the ways in which crime is defined within society; show an appreciation of the impact of crime on some members of society; examine media reports of crime and comment on the ways in which images of crime are constructed; present spoken and written material in a structured and mainly convincing manner, focusing on some of the major relevant issues; locate a good range of sources of information and produce written work that is predominantly referenced and presented in a basically sound manner.

threshold

D- to D+ (40-49%) Present spoken and written material clearly, focusing on major points relevant to the question or argument; locate basic sources of information and produce appropriately formatted and referenced work. Show an understanding of some of the main criminological explanations of why crime is committed, and explain some of the main similarities and differences between these theories; demonstrate a basic understanding of the ways in which crime is defined within society; show an awareness of the impact of crime on some members of society; examine media reports of crime; present spoken and written material in a clear manner, focusing on some of the major relevant issues; locate basic sources of information and produce appropriately formatted and referenced work.

good

B- to B+ (60-69%) Show a good understanding of some of the main criminological explanations of why crime is committed, and explain and evaluate some of the main similarities and differences between these theories; demonstrate a thorough understanding of the ways in which crime is defined within society; show a clear appreciation of the impact of crime on some members of society; examine media reports of crime and comment on the ways in which images of crime are constructed; present spoken and written material in a clear and competent manner, focusing on some of the major relevant issues; locate a wide range of sources of information and produce written work that is properly referenced and presented.

excellent

A- to A* (70%+) Provide a comprehensive account of some of the main criminological explanations of why crime is committed, and analysed some of the main similarities and differences between these theories; demonstrate a competent understanding of the ways in which crime is defined within society; show a clear appreciation of the impact of crime on society in general and groups such as victims in particular; examine media reports on crime and critically comment on the ways in which images of crime are constructed; make oral and written presentations of relatively complex material in a clear and competent manner, identifying and focusing on some of the major relevant issues; work independently to locate a wide range of sources of information, and produce properly referenced written work that is of a good standard.

Learning outcomes

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the foundations of criminological thought.

  2. Show an understanding of the ways in which crime has been defined and constructed in legal, social, political and historical contexts in several countries.

  3. Identify key concepts relating to the criminal behaviour and societal responses to it.

  4. Demonstrate the ability to locate, interpret, and critically evaluate (at the beginner level) relevant literature and evidence relating to criminal and deviant behaviour.

  5. Examine the impact of crime on society, including victims of crime.

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
COURSEWORK Book review

The book review is the first assignment of the module. Students select a book introducing criminology or criminological theory and discuss this book in their review. The module outline lists a range of books that can be chosen, but students may also - it is recommended after discussion with the lecturer - select another introduction book of the same kind. The rules for referencing and citation apply. Students are aided by an instruction sheet explaining how to structure and draft an effective book review.

 50.00
ESSAY Essay

The essay deals with one topic from a list of essay assignments. Students will read up on their selected topic and write the essay. Essay topics will have been introduced as part of the lectures and workshops, together with some of the academic literature in which they are discussed. The rules for referencing and citation as well as for presentation of essays apply. Students are supported by an instruction how to format and reference an essay.

 50.00

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Private study

Students will use their private study time of 178 hours for: - Familiarizing with the standards of academic writing (especially referencing and citation) - Preparing for lectures and workshops, including reading the slides that teaching staff will put up on Blackboard before the workshop or seminar - Going over lecture slides after the seminars and workshops, also listening to the recordings of these - Literature search related to the module content - Preparing of assignments: book reviews and essays - Self-directed wider reading to deepen knowledge and understanding of workshop and lecture content.

 178
Lecture

Lectures - 12 hours of weekly one-hour lectures over 12 weeks The lectures provide an overview on the subject of criminology and exemplify its theories and topics using key examples of research, of concepts and theories. The main element of lectures is the talk of the lecturer, supported by power points and occasionally selected videos. Each lecture ends with an opportunity for students to answer questions. Occasionally, small tasks will be set out for students to be resolved in mini-group work, or questions will be posed for short debate in class. Any power points will be available before and after the lectures on Bangor Universities' virtual learning environment. Lectures will be recorded.

 12
Workshop

Workshop - 10 hours over 10 weeks The workshops are taught in smaller groups and they will allow more questions to be answered by students and more discussion among participants (students and staff). Some content will be introduced in the workshop groups, mainly topics which very much provoke discussions. The workshops also prepare students for essay writing and the writing of book reviews, giving directions "hands on" on issues like formatting, structuring, referencing and citation. Any power points will be available before and after the lectures on Bangor Universities' virtual learning environment. One of the weekly sessions will be recorded for later reference by students.

 10

Transferable skills

  • Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
  • Numeracy - Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy
  • Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
  • Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
  • Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
  • Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sentistevely with others
  • Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
  • Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
  • Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting

Subject specific skills

  • control, policing, criminal and youth justice, sentencing, and alternative responses to offending
  • how to use empirical evidence - both quantitative and qualitative in criminology and sociology
  • relationships between these and social divisions and social change.
  • the ability to formulate and investigate sociologically informed questions
  • awareness of how political and cultural values - including the student's own - have an impact on responses to and rival interpretations of safety and security, crime
  • competence in using major theoretical perspectives and concepts in sociology, and their application to social life
  • the capacity to analyse, assess and communicate empirical sociological information
  • the ability to identify a range of qualitative and quantitative research strategies and methods
  • the ability to conduct sociological / criminolgical research
  • the ability to undertake and present scholarly work
  • the ability to recognise the relevance of sociological knowledge to social, public and civic policy.
  • Understand the relationship between theory, research design, and the selection of research methods and be able to identify and critically evaluate the positions upon which they are predicated.
  • Appreciate and apply a broad range of research methods and tools (underpinned by a strong conceptual awareness of the research processes).
  • Appreciate philosophical, ethical and methodological issues in criminological and legal research.
  • Appreciate the inter-relationships between criminological and legal theories, criminological and legal research, and policies of key institutions.
  • how crime, deviance and victimisation are socially and legally constructed the different sources of information about crime and victimisation, both quantitative and qualitative, and how they are produced - including their location in particular legal, political, social and ideological frameworks - and how they can be interpreted
  • trends in crime, harm and victimisation
  • different forms of crime and their social organisation
  • different theoretical and empirical approaches to the study, analysis and explanation of crime, deviance, harm and victimisation
  • theoretical and empirical relationships between power, crime and social change, and the impact of globalisation
  • the development of criminology as a distinct area of study and inquiry, and its multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary nature
  • alternative theoretical approaches within criminology, and contemporary debates about the content and scope of criminology
  • relationships of crime, deviance and offending, and victimisation to social divisions such as: age, gender, sexuality, social class, race, ethnicity and religious faith
  • the development, role, organisation and governance of efforts to reduce and prevent crime, deviance and harm, and to ensure personal and public safety and security in different locations; the role of the state and non-governmental agencies
  • the effectiveness of such measures, and human rights issues in relation to preventive and pre-emptive measures
  • the social and historical development of the main institutions involved in crime control in different locations
  • the philosophy and politics of criminalisation, victimisation, criminal justice and modes of punishment
  • representations of victimisation, crime and deviance, and of the main agents and institutions which respond to crime and deviance, as found in the mass media, new media, in official reports and in public opinion
  • how to develop a reflective approach and a critical awareness of the values of local cultures and local politics, and of the student's own values, biography and social identity, and how to bring these skills to bear in an informed response to crime and victimisation
  • awareness of how political and cultural values - including the student's own - have an impact on responses to and rival interpretations of safety and security, crime
  • how to make ethically sound judgements in relation to research carried out by others or oneself
  • how to use empirical evidence - both quantitative and qualitative - about the distribution of crime, deviance, offending and victimisation of all kinds to explore relationships between these and social divisions and social change.
  • awareness of principles and values of law and justice, and of ethics
  • knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts, values in law within an institutional, social, national and global context
  • the ability to formulate and investigate sociologically informed questions
  • competence in using major theoretical perspectives and concepts in sociology, and their application to social life
  • the capacity to analyse, assess and communicate empirical sociological information
  • the ability to identify a range of qualitative and quantitative research strategies and methods
  • the ability to conduct sociological research
  • the ability to undertake and present scholarly work
  • the ability to recognise the relevance of sociological knowledge to social, public and civic policy.
  • Develop a sound appreciation of the variety of theories that comprise the discipline of social policy and how these impact on social policy interventions
  • Become cognizant with key conceptual debates within the field of contemporary social policy
  • Appreciate the value of and apply theoretical and methodological rigour to analyses of welfare issues;
  • Be aware of the ethical, social and political contexts within which social policy practice and research is conducted and delivered
  • Develop a knowledge and expertise with respect to a range of evidence-based policy making and practice.
  • Develop a sophisticated understanding of the processes of social policy analysis and evaluation.
  • use some of the established theories and concepts of social policy and other social sciences to analyse how social needs, social problems and policies themselves are constructed and understood in both national and international contexts
  • seek out, use and evaluate qualitative and quantitative data derived from social surveys and other research publications
  • undertake either on their own, or in collaboration with others, investigations on social questions, issues and problems. This will involve skills in problem identification; the collection, storage management and manipulation of data, including secondary data, and other information; the use of archival sources; the construction of coherent and reasoned arguments; and the presentation of clear conclusions and recommendations distinguish among and critically evaluate different theoretical, technical, normative, moral and political approaches to social problems and issues.
  • distinguish among and critically evaluate different theoretical, technical, normative, moral and political approaches to social problems and issues
  • Sociolinguistics addresses the relationship between language and society.
  • the main forms of sentence and alternatives; the governance, roles and structure of the agencies involved; and offenders' experiences of adjudication and sentence
  • representations of victimisation, crime and deviance, and of the main agents and institutions which respond to crime and deviance, as found in the mass media, new media, in official reports and in public opinion
  • how to develop a reflective approach and a critical awareness of the values of local cultures and local politics, and of the student's own values, biography and social identity, and how to bring these skills to bear in an informed response to crime and victimisation
  • awareness of how political and cultural values - including the student's own have an impact on responses to and rival interpretations of safety and security, crime
  • how to make ethically sound judgements in relation to research carried out by others or oneself
  • how to use empirical evidence - both quantitative and qualitative - about the distribution of crime, deviance, offending and victimisation of all kinds to explore
  • relationships between these and social divisions and social change.
  • Understand the relationship between theory, research design, and the selection of research methods and be able to identify and critically evaluate the epistemological positions upon which they are predicated.
  • Understand the basic principles of research design and strategy (including how to formulate researchable questions and the considerations affecting inference and proof, reliability and validity in different styles of research), sufficient to enable them to make appropriate choices in their own research.
  • Appreciate and apply a broad range of research methods and tools (underpinned by a strong conceptual awareness of the research processes and their underlying philosophies).
  • Appreciate philosophical, ethical and methodological issues in criminological and sociological research.
  • Appreciate the inter-relationships between sociological and socio-legal theories, criminological and sociological research, and policies of key institutions.
  • Understand the value of and apply comparative analysis within criminology and sociology.
  • the development of criminology as a distinct area of study and inquiry, and its multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary nature
  • alternative theoretical approaches within criminology, and contemporary debates about the content and scope of criminology
  • how crime, deviance and victimisation are socially and legally constructed the different sources of information about crime and victimisation, both quantitative and qualitative, and how they are produced - including their location in particular legal, political, social and ideological frameworks - and how they can be interpreted
  • trends in crime, harm and victimisation
  • different forms of crime and their social organisation
  • different theoretical and empirical approaches to the study, analysis and explanation of crime, deviance, harm and victimisation
  • theoretical and empirical relationships between power, crime and social change, and the impact of globalisation
  • the development, role, organisation and governance of efforts to reduce and prevent crime, deviance and harm, and to ensure personal and public safety and security in different locations; the role of the state and non-governmental agencies
  • the effectiveness of such measures, and human rights issues in relation to preventive and pre-emptive measures
  • the social and historical development of the main institutions involved in crime control in different locations
  • the philosophy and politics of criminalisation, victimisation, criminal justice and modes of punishment
  • representations of victimisation, crime and deviance, and of the main agents and institutions which respond to crime and deviance, as found in the mass media, new media, in official reports and in public opinion
  • how to develop a reflective approach and a critical awareness of the values of local cultures and local politics, and of the student's own values, biography and social identity, and how to bring these skills to bear in an informed response to crime and victimisation
  • relationships of crime, deviance and offending, and victimisation to social divisions such as: age, gender, sexuality, social class, race, ethnicity and religious faith
  • Understand the relationship between theory, research design, and the selection of research methods and be able to identify and critically evaluate the epistemological positions upon which they are predicated.
  • Understand the basic principles of research design and strategy (including how to formulate researchable questions and the considerations affecting inference and proof, reliability and validity in different styles of research), sufficient to enable them to make appropriate choices in their own research.
  • Appreciate and apply a broad range of research methods and tools (underpinned by a strong conceptual awareness of the research processes and their underlying philosophies).
  • Appreciate philosophical, ethical and methodological issues in criminological and criminal justice research.
  • Appreciate the inter-relationships between sociological and socio-legal theories, criminological and criminal justice research, and criminal justice policies.
  • Understand the value of and apply comparative analysis within criminology and criminal justice.
  • the development of criminology as a distinct area of study and inquiry, and its multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary nature
  • alternative theoretical approaches within criminology, and contemporary debates about the content and scope of criminology
  • how crime, deviance and victimisation are socially and legally constructed the different sources of information about crime and victimisation, both quantitative and qualitative, and how they are produced - including their location in particular legal, political, social and ideological frameworks - and how they can be interpreted
  • trends in crime, harm and victimisation
  • different forms of crime and their social organisation
  • different theoretical and empirical approaches to the study, analysis and explanation of crime, deviance, harm and victimisation
  • theoretical and empirical relationships between power, crime and social change, and the impact of globalisation
  • relationships of crime, deviance and offending, and victimisation to social divisions such as: age, gender, sexuality, social class, race, ethnicity and religious faith
  • the development, role, organisation and governance of efforts to reduce and prevent crime, deviance and harm, and to ensure personal and public safety and security in different locations; the role of the state and non-governmental agencies
  • the effectiveness of such measures, and human rights issues in relation to preventive and pre-emptive measures
  • the social and historical development of the main institutions involved in crime control in different locations
  • the philosophy and politics of criminalisation, victimisation, criminal justice and modes of punishment

Resources

Resource implications for students

N/A

Talis Reading list

http://readinglists.bangor.ac.uk/modules/sxy-1005.html

Reading list

Brookman, Fiona, Maguire, Mike, Pierpoint, Harriet, and Bennett, Trevor (eds., 2010). Handbook on Crime. Callumpton: Willan. Case, Steve, Johnson, Phil, Manlow, David, Smith, Roger, and Williams, Kate (2017). Criminology. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Downes, David, Rock, Paul, and McLaughlin, Eugene (2016). Understanding Deviance. 7th edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press. Finch, Emily, and Fafinski, Stefan (2012). Criminology Skills. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Hale, Chris, Hayward, Keith, Wahidin, Azrini, and Wincup, Emma (eds., 2013). Criminology. 3rd edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press. Hopkins Burke, Roger (2018). Criminological Theory, 5th edition. London: Routledge. Joyce, Peter, and Wain, Neil (2011). A Dictionary of Criminal Justice. London: Routledge. Liebling, Aliston, Maruna, Shadd, and McAra, Lesley (eds., 2017). The Oxford Handbook of Criminology. 6th edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press. McLaughlin, Eugene, and Muncie, John (eds., 2013). The SAGE Dictionary of Criminology. Los Angeles: Sage. Newburn, Tim (2009). Key Readings in Criminology. Cullompton: Willan. Newburn, Tim (2017). Criminology. 3rd edition. London: Routledge. Rafter, Nicole, and Brown, Michelle (2011). Criminology Goes to the Movies: Crime Theory and Popular Culture. New York: New York University Press. Rafter, Nicole, Biber, Katherine, Brown, Michelle, Carrabine, Eamonn, Cavender, Gray, Machura, Stefan, and Schept, Judah (eds., 2018). Oxford Encyclopedia on Crime, Media, and Popular Culture. 3 volumes. New York: Oxford University Press. Entries also online in Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Criminology, DOI: 10.1093/acrefore/9780190264079.013.198.

Courses including this module

Compulsory in courses:

Optional in courses: