2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

LAW1166 Crime, Inequality and Social Issues

20 creditsClass Size: 64

Module manager: Dr Matt Tidmarsh
Email: M.J.Tidmarsh@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

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 type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
On-line Learning	5	1.50	7.50
Lecture	11	1.00	11.00
Seminar	5	1.50	7.50
Private study hours			174.00
Total Contact hours			26.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

The online learning element is broken down into 15 minute tasks, there will be 30 x 15 minute tasks overall.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

A formative assessment opportunity will be provided.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	2,000 word essay	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

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: 29/04/2024 16:15:25

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