Module Catalogue 2024/25

SOC2044 : Sociology of Crime: Social Control in Neoliberal Societies

SOC2044 : Sociology of Crime: Social Control in Neoliberal Societies

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Karenza Moore
  • Owning School: Geography, Politics & Sociology
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System
Pre-requisite

Modules you must have done previously to study this module

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co-Requisite

Modules you need to take at the same time

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

The aim of this module is to introduce students to theoretical ideas and empirical material that will further their understanding of crime, deviance, transgression, punishment regimes, and formal and informal means of social control in neoliberal societies, with a focus on power, social change, and inequalities.

It will offer a deeper understanding of core issues within Sociology, which will inform students' second and third year modules, including their dissertations.

Outline Of Syllabus

The syllabus includes four to five core sections covering social theories, sociological and criminological approaches to crime, and relevant examples (including classic and contemporary studies of crime topics):

Punishment, power and social change;
Cultures and representations;
Geographies;
Contemporary crime and crime control debates.

Learning Outcomes

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

Provide students with an introduction to a range of conceptual tools within the social sciences (Realist approaches, Social Constructionist approaches, etc.), the means to critique them, and the ability to apply them to better understand social change and contemporary social issues.

Intended Skill Outcomes

The skills outcomes of the module are as follows:
•       To identify different sources of evidence and to rank them by their relevant scholarly authority
•       To have developed improved reading, writing, note-taking and critical thinking skills
•       To identify the benefit of essay plans and to be able to prepare a range of styles of essay plans, identifying, which format is best for them
•       To improve their presentation skills, including verbal or written skills
•       To develop their evaluation skills
•       To develop their listening skills and the ability to constructively critique the work of others

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion130:0030:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture12:002:00Pre-recorded lecture (Week 8) to allow for marking time.
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture22:004:00Week 1 and Week 11
Structured Guided LearningLecture materials11:001:00podcast (1 hour)
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesWorkshops11:001:00PIP Timetabled Assessment workshop 2
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesWorkshops12:002:00PiP Timetabled Assessment Support Workshop 1
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesWorkshops11:001:00Online Timetabled Assessment workshop 2 (online Q&A)
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesWorkshops83:0024:00PIP Timetabled Interactive Workshops
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study1135:00135:00N/A
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The 2 hour in person lectures at the start and end of the module will give students a detailed introduction and then summary of key concepts and theories in the Sociology of Crime.

In the 8 whole-group workshops (3 hours long) the emphasis will be on pair/small group discussions and interactive exercises between students and students/lecturer, within the larger group. The workshops will be a mixture of 'traditional' lectures, and these exercises.

The 4 hours of Assessment Support Workshops gives students an opportunity to receive peer/lecturer feedback on their essay ideas and plans.

The single pre-recorded lecture (2 hours) acts as a bridge between social theory and crime, and contemporary crime and crime control debates. Students listen to the lecture and one of 3 podcasts, and in later workshops they will discuss the podcast of their choice. This will further their understandings of contemporary issues in the Sociology of Crime, as well as debates about how sociological research on crime and punishment is undertaken and the challenges it poses.

Reading Lists

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Essay1M301,000 words
Essay1M703,000 words
Formative Assessments

Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.

Description Semester When Set Comment
Oral Presentation1MOngoing throughout module based on seminar performance
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The first assessment will be focused on students understanding the background theories, concepts and approaches within the Sociology of Crime.

The second assessment will task them with exploring the implications of social control for certain populations, drawing on material from the whole module.

The students thus have the opportunity to write a first short essay on Sociology of Crime core concepts and then a longer more detailed second essay, capturing issues from across the entirety of the module rather than on specific weeks.

Timetable

Past Exam Papers

General Notes

N/A

Welcome to Newcastle University Module Catalogue

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Disclaimer

The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2024 academic year.

In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.

Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.