Overview

SXY2001 is a 20-credit module, taught over the course of a single semester.

It focuses on the main theoretical approaches and ideas in the contemporary study of crime, deviance and social control. The time period runs from the late 18 hundreds to the present day. The approaches and ideas are situated in their intellectual and historical contexts, and the writings of key thinkers will be critically examined.

The chief purpose of the module is to show the relevance of criminological ideas to a range of current crime/criminal justice issues. Among the perspectives and topics covered are the following: Merton’s theory of anomie; subcultural theory; neutralization and disengagement techniques; symbolic interactionism; labelling and stigma; moral crusade; critical criminology; shaming; rational choice theory; and crime and the emotions.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -(D+ to D-) Understand and summarize the key theoretical perspectives in twentieth-century criminology. Situate them in their relevant intellectual and historical contexts. Apply criminological approaches to areas of current interest and concern. -passable work -(C+to C-) Very little critical analysis of the theory, Use of academic texts. Heavy reliance on real world examples to illustrate the theory in practice. Assignments based on a little academic work and a lot of media or web based resources some use of citation and quotation -good -(B+ to B-) Understand and summarize the key theoretical perspectives in twentieth-century criminology. Situate them in their relevant intellectual and historical contexts. Show a good understanding of the key theoretical texts in criminology. Effectively apply criminological approaches to areas of current interest and concern. -excellent -(A* to A-) Understand and summarize the key theoretical perspectives in twentieth-century criminology. Situate them in their relevant intellectual and historical contexts. Show an excellent understanding of the key theoretical texts in criminology. Effectively apply criminological approaches to areas of current interest and concern. Critically engage with key criminological theories.

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate an ability to apply criminological ideas to current issues or concrete areas of concern.

• Demonstrate an awareness of the ways in which twentieth-century criminology has evolved and developed.

• Understand the centrality of theory for understanding the world of crime and control.

• Understand the key criminolgical theories from the 19th Century to the present day.