2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SLSP3211 State Crime and Immorality

20 creditsClass Size: 80

Module manager: Dr Claudia Radiven
Email: c.e.radiven@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Pre-requisite qualifications

At least 20 credits at Level 1and 2 (40 in total) from a social science related discipline or the appropriate discovery theme.

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This new module will covers a range of topics related broadly to the central themes of organised crime and terrorism. The module is closely linked to the emerging research outputs of the primary contributors. It introduces the student to issues and theories relating to the nature of organised crime, terrorism, state and political violence and then offers a detailed coverage of these through some key case studies.The module will entail a one-hour lecture on each issue followed by a screening of a documentary or film (where applicable/appropriate) relating to the issues covered. In addition, there will be one tutorial per week to discuss the key issues covered in the lecture, readings and documentary.Substantive topics include critical engagement with state and political violence in the context of the ‘troubles’ in Northern Ireland from the period of 1968-1998. It looks at state-sponsored terrorism in Afghanistan and elsewhere. In addition, drawing on recent global issues the topics of business crime, cyber crime and environmental crime are also detailed. The issue of drug trafficking and its links with corruption provide the platform to consider the issue of organised crime.Finally some critical discussion of the policies adopted by successive Governments in the UK in dealing with contemporary security issues are discussed and placed in a comparative perspective.This is an ideal discovery module for students interested in and wanting to further their knowledge and understanding the study of the sociology of deviance, crime and social control but also those with an interest in the nature of policy-making and its links to domestic and global politics.

Objectives

Closely analysing key themes in the contemporary and historical UK drug situation, with particular reference to their impact on society, the nature of policy and the politics of the issue, on completion of the module student should be able to:

- Demonstrate their understanding of the main theoretical and policy perspectives relating to the issues covered;
- Contribute to informed debate in relation to issues surrounding organised crime, state-sponsored and political violence and terrorism
- Critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of UK and global policy responses to these issues.

Learning outcomes
In terms of intellectual, practical and transferable skills, students should be able to:
- Carry out independent study and evidence further reading
- Engage in critical reasoning and informed debate
- Synthesise arguments drawn from a variety of sources (academic and otherwise)
- Communicate this effectively in speech and writing.

Syllabus

Week 1: Introduction and Welcome to the Module
Week 2: Crimes of the Powerful: Their Nature and Control (Corporate Crime)
Week 3: Crimes of the Powerful Case Study: The Murdoch Empire
Week 4: Health Crimes: Healthcare Staff and Institutions
Week 5: Global Health, Global Crimes
Week 6: Organised Crime: Its Nature and Control
Week 7: Organised Crime Case Study: Global Drug Trafficking
Week 8: State Crime from Above: It’s Nature and Control
Week 9: State Crime From Above Case Study: Violence in Yorkshire - The Miners Strikes of the 1980s
Week 10: Political Violence From Below: Its Nature and Control (references to terrorism)
Week 11: Political Violence From Below Caase Study: Violence in Northern Ireland, Collusion and the Paramilitaries

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
On-line Learning	11	1.00	11.00
Lecture	11	1.00	11.00
Tutorial	10	1.00	10.00
Private study hours			168.00
Total Contact hours			32.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

105 hours for private/online study time and 65 hours ongoing preparation for assessment.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Initially, student progress will be monitored via their active participation in the tutorial sessions and by their reading summary postings.

Also, students will be required to present a plan of their final assessed essay by Week 8.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	5,000 words	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 16:20:23

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