2018/19 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

LAW2091 Criminology: Theories and Concepts

20 creditsClass Size: 92

Module manager: Dr Emma Wincup
Email: E.L.Wincup@leeds.ac.uk

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

Year running 2018/19

This module is mutually exclusive with

SLSP2020

Crime, Law and Regulation

Module replaces

LAW2090 Criminology

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

Do offenders choose to commit crime or are they propelled into offending by forces beyond their control? Is crime caused by biological, psychological or sociological factors? Are some individuals and acts more likely to be criminalised than others?This module seeks to answer these questions, and provides students with the opportunity to acquire a critical understanding of the most important theories which have sought to explain the causes of crime. It explores their contribution to criminological knowledge and identify their implications for crime policy.

Objectives

LAW2091 Criminology is designed to provide students with the chance to gain a critical understanding of the most important theories of criminal behaviour, assess their contemporary relevance and analyse their implications for controlling crime.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module students will be:

- be able to outline the development of criminological thought from the eighteenth century to the present day;
- have a clear and critical understanding of the main theoretical explanations for crime and deviance, and know who the key
exponents of these theories are;
- draw out the implications for crime control of theoretical explanations;
- articulate ongoing debates within the development of criminological thought; and
- be familiar with new developments and directions in criminological theory;

Skills outcomes
In addition to the generic skills listed here, students will have the opportunity to learn how to apply theories to contemporary crime events

Syllabus

Introduction to the module
Individual Approaches 1(1): Classicism
Individual Approaches 1(2): Neo-Classical Approaches
Individual Approaches 2: Biological Positivism
Individual Approaches 3: Psychological Positivism
Sociological Approaches 1: Durkheim and Sociological Positivism
Sociological Approaches 2: Chicago School and Social Disorganisation
Sociological Approaches 3: Anomie and Strain Theory
Sub-cultural perspectives
Control Theories
Mid-module review and essay preparation
Symbolic Interactionism and the Labelling Perspective
Marxism and Critical Criminology 1
Marxism and Critical Criminology 2
Feminist Perspectives I
Feminist Perspectives II
Realist Perspectives 1: Right Realism
Realist Perspectives 2: Left Realism
Module review and exam preparation

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Class tests, exams and assessment	1	2.00	2.00
Group learning	2	1.00	2.00
Lecture	22	1.00	22.00
Seminar	9	1.00	9.00
Private study hours			165.00
Total Contact hours			35.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Students will be provided with suggested readings to accompany each lecture and preparatory work for seminars. They will need to collaborate with other students in the group, as well as working independently, to prepare the group presentation.

The module has three forms of assessment and students will need to work independently researching and writing their essay and preparing for the examination.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Compulsory seminars will provide an opportunity for ongoing monitoring of student progress. In addition, students will receive feedback on both the content of their group presentation, as well as their presentational skills. Students will receive individual and generic feedback on their essay.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay or Dissertation	1 x 2,000 words	40.00
Oral Presentation	10 minutes	10.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		50.00

Students will be required to use Powerpoint for their presentation and a copy of the file will be retained by the seminar leader. All students are required to contribute to the presentation. Students will receive feedback on their presentation from the seminar tutor on a feedback sheet, a copy of which appears in the module handbook. The feedback on the content of the presentation is designed to assist with the preparation of the assessed essay. This is instead of an optional formative essay which in previous years has been completed by very few students. Students who fail to attend the group presentation without a good reason will be required to re-sit this component and will not pass the module until they do so.

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr 00 mins	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		50.00

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: 26/03/2019

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