Unit information: Criminology: an introduction in 2016/17

Unit name	Criminology: an introduction
Unit code	SPOL10019
Credit points	20
Level of study	C/4
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Professor. Pantazis
Open unit status	Open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School for Policy Studies
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

The unit will provide an introduction to the subject of criminology from a multi-disciplinary perspective by explaining key concepts and theories in relation to crime, harm, deviance and victimisation and also responses to crime and deviance. The specific aims of the unit will be to provide students with:

1. A critical understanding of key concepts such as crime, harm, deviance, victimisation and criminalisation
2. Knowledge of criminological theories explaining the aetiology of crime/harm with an appreciation of their social, economic and political origins
3. An understanding of the different forms of crime/harm and their social dimensions (e.g. in relation to class, age, gender)
4. An understanding how criminological theory has impacted on criminal justice and wider social policies

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the unit, students will have a critical understanding of :

1. Key concepts such as crime, harm, deviance, victimisation and criminalisation
2. Criminological theories explaining the aetiology of crime/harm and their social, economic and political origins
3. Different forms of crime and harm and their social dimensions (e.g. in relation to class, age, gender)
4. The impact of criminological theory on criminal justice and wider social policies

Teaching Information

Lectures and seminars

Assessment Information

Assessment will be against the programme criteria defined for the appropriate level.

Formative assessment: One essay up to 2 000 words

Summative assessment : One essay up to 2500 words (100%)

Reading and References

Hale, C., Hayward, K., Wahidin, A., & Wincup, E. (2013, 3^rd Ed.) Criminology, Oxford: Oxford University Press

McLaughlin, E. & Muncie, J. (2013, 3^rd Ed.) The SAGE Dictionary of Criminology, London: Sage

Newburn, T. (2013, 2^nd Ed.) Criminology, London: Routledge

White, R., Haines, F., & Asquith (2012, 5^th Ed.) Crime and Criminology, Oxford: Oxford University Press