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2020/21 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

LAW1166 Crime, Inequality and Social Issues

20 creditsClass Size: 65

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

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2020/21

Module replaces

LAW1165 Crime and Social Exclusion

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

The module explores the links between crime and inequality in its many different guises. The module is divided into three parts. The first focuses on theory, data and politics; exploring theories of inequality, evidence on inequality in the UK (particularly in relation to ‘race’, 'class' and 'gender') and political responses to tackling inequality. The second analyses social issues which are understood as manifestations of inequality, resulting in some groups being more vulnerable than others to engaging in crime and/or being a victim of crime. The final part explores different sites of intervention for tackling inequality with the expectation of reducing crime including the family, the welfare state, the criminal justice process and communities.

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 content:

Theory, data and politics
- Introduction to the module
- What is inequality?
- Forms of inequality and their relationship with crime
- Tackling crime and inequality: political responses

Social issues
- Poverty and destitution
- Unemployment and ‘in-work’ poverty
- Drugs and drug-related harm
- Educational ‘failure’
- Vulnerable young people: leaving care
- Precarious housing and homelessness
- Poor health and disability
- Recognising multiple and severe disadvantage
- Geographies of inequality

Tackling inequality: sites of interventions
- Working with ‘at-risk’ families: support or discipline?
- Welfare reform: addressing or entrenching inequality?
- Addressing inequality though the criminal justice process
- Community-based initiatives to tackle crime and inequality

NB: some of the topic will extend over more than one lecture. In addition to those listed above there will be an end-of-module review.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Lecture201.0020.00
Seminar81.008.00
Private study hours172.00
Total Contact hours28.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Private study

Private study time: 172 hours
Reading: 3 hours per lecture = 30 hours
Preparation for seminars: 4 hrs per class = 32 hrs
Summative assessments (Unseen exam) = (80 hours)

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students will have the opportunity to complete a formative assessment in the form of an essay plan and up to 500 word sample writing for the essay.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Essay2,000 word essay70.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)70.00

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


Exams
Exam typeExam duration% of formal assessment
Online MCQ2 hr 00 mins30.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)30.00

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: 10/08/2020 09:50:02

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