2019/20 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

LAW1136 Understanding Crime

20 creditsClass Size: 90

Module manager: Mr Sean Butcher
Email: S.B.Butcher@leeds.ac.uk

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

Year running 2019/20

This module is mutually exclusive with

SLSP1180

Crime and Deviance

Module replaces

LAW1135 Foundations of Criminological Knowledge

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module focuses on what we mean when discussing the 'crime problem'. It outlines the way that our common sense understandings of 'crime' are shaped by our everyday expectations and assumptions over a range of problematic behaviours. In so doing, it will firstly explore the construction of crime through various data sources. 'Official' discourses around crime will be emphasised through an analysis of the use of crime statistics. Secondly, it will examine various forms of crime and consider the manner in which 'accepted wisdom' about crime can be deconstructed to reveal a different reality of the 'crime problem'. This module therefore seeks to challenge taken-for-granted viewpoints about crime, and to provide a more sophisticated understanding of the nature of crime in modern society.- This 20-credit module is delivered through 20 lectures and 8 seminars in semesters 1 and 2. - Assessment is by one 2,000 word essay and one 2 hour examination.

Objectives

This module will introduce students to key concepts, issues and themes about crime and the varied forms in which it occurs in modern society.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module students will be able to:
- conceptualise crime and deviance according to a range of competing definitions;
- recognise that different forms of crime and their definitions are subject to social, legal and political contingencies;
- identify and appraise the principle measures of incidence and prevalence of 'known' and 'hidden' crime.

Syllabus

Lectures:
Introduction to the module
What is Crime 1
What is Crime 2
Measuring Crime 1
Measuring Crime 2
Crime Statistics
Public Perceptions of crime
Media representation of crime
Media representation of crime
Module Review
Riots 1
Riots 2
Terrorism 1
Terrorism 2
Organised Crime 1
Organised Crime 2
Corporate Crime 1
Corporate Crime 2
Conclusions
Exam Preparation

Seminars:
What is crime?
Measuring Crime 1
Measuring Crime 2
Media representations of crime
Riots
Terrorism
Organised Crime
Corporate Crime

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	20	1.00	20.00
Seminar	8	1.00	8.00
Private study hours			172.00
Total Contact hours			28.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Reading: 3 hours per lecture session across = 60 hours
Preparation for seminars: 3 hrs per class = 24 hours
Formative assessment: Assignment = 8 hours
Summative assessments: Exam = 40 hours + Essay 40 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

1) Seminars will be used to monitor students progress, specifically the contribution to group work and class discussions.

2) An optional formative essay will be distributed in semester one.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	1 x 2,000-word essay	33.30
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		33.30

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	66.70
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		66.70

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: 30/04/2019

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