Unit information: Criminological Theory: An Introduction in 2020/21

Unit name	Criminological Theory: An Introduction
Unit code	SPOL10029
Credit points	20
Level of study	C/4
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Dr. Natasha Carver
Open unit status	Not 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 students with an introduction to key criminological concepts and theories. Specifically, it will introduce students to:

1. key concepts such as crime, social harm, deviance, victimisation and criminalisation
2. criminological theories explaining the production of crime and social harm
3. the wider social, political, and economic context in which theories emerge and come to be influential
4. how criminological theory has impacted on criminal justice and wider social policies

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the unit, students will be able to:

1. understand and apply key criminological concepts such as crime, social harm, deviance, victimisation and criminalisation
2. critically evaluate a range of different criminological theories and explain their social, economic and political origins
3. critically assess what impact, if any, criminological theory has had on criminal justice and wider social policies

Teaching Information

Teaching will be delivered through blended learning involving a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions, including lectures, practical activities supported by study-group sessions and self-directed exercises.

Assessment Information

Summative assessment is by:

• Engagement and Collaboration Portfolio based on structured exercises (50%)
• Essay of 1500 words (50%)

Reading and References

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

Lilly, R., Cullen, F., Ball, R. (2015, 6th Ed.) Criminological Theory: Context and Consequences, London: Sage

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