2018/19 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

LAW1166 Crime, Inequality and Social Issues

20 creditsClass Size: 103

Module manager: Dr Richard Peake
Email: R.Peake@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2018/19

Module replaces

LAW1165 Crime and Social Exclusion

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

The proposed module introduces students to the concept of social exclusion, a term commonly used in policy (1997-2010) and academic discourse. It covers eight general aspects of social exclusion and social divisions (noted above). Each aspect will look at definitional and measurement issues, the relationship with crime and policy solutions. The module ends by asking 'who are the socially excluded? What can inequality tell us about links to criminal behaviour?' (in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, class and other social divisions) and by exploring the complex links between each of the different aspects of social exclusion and crime. It gives students knowledge of the effects of politics, policy making and entwines criminological and sociological debate.

Objectives

The module explores at theoretical, empirical and policy level how crime is connected to inequality and social divisions.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:

- conceptualise inequality and related concepts (such as social exclusion) according to a range of competing definitions;
- understand inequality across a range of indicators;
- describe the main social issues (including crime) associated with inequality and understand the debates which surround how they are defined. Evaluate available evidence on their nature and extent;
- use case studies to begin to understand the political nature of policy making;
- understand the complex links between social issues, inequality and crime and identify individuals most likely to be affected.

Syllabus

Indicative lecture content

Theory
1. Introducing social issues: the concepts of inequality and exclusion and how they can help us understand criminal behaviour
2. Who are the excluded? Social divisions, class and the concept of social exclusion
3. The quest for an inclusive society: Social exclusion in context (New Labour 1997-2010)
4. The politics of crime policies: how ideology affects our responses to marginalised groups

Inequalities
5. Poverty, deprivation and inequality
6. Unemployment, low pay and 'in work' poverty
7. Welfare and the benefits culture in context
8. Housing, homelessness & crime
9. Drugs misuse & drug policies
10. Gender: the criminalisation of women
11. Disability & poor health
12. Race & ethnicity
13. Educational failure

Policy responses
14. 'Troubled' or 'troublesome' families: policy making as crime prevention
15. The link to crime and its complexities: regulating behaviour
16. Ex-prisoners: resettlement as key to integration and crime reduction
17. Addressing social issues and delivering effective crime policies
18. Module review and assessment preparation

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	18	1.00	18.00
Seminar	8	1.00	8.00
Private study hours			174.00
Total Contact hours			26.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Private study time 174 hours
Reading: 3 hours per lecture = 54 hours
Preparation for seminars: 4 hrs per class = 32 hrs
Summative assessments (Unseen exam) = (88 hours)

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Seminars will be used to monitor student progress, specifically the contribution to group work and class discussions. A formative essay submitted in week 8 will check learning and academic progress.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	1 x 2,000 word	40.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		40.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr 00 mins	60.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		60.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 12/12/2018 10:48:53

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