| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
N/A
N/A
The aim of this module is to introduce students to theoretical ideas and empirical material that will further their understanding of crime, punishment and formal and informal means of social control in neoliberal societies. It will offer them a deeper understanding of control processes, which will inform their second and third year modules, including their dissertations.
The module will provide students with an introduction to the sociology of crime, deviance, punishment and social control. The first half of the module starts with classic control theories, alongside debates between social constructionist and realist theories of crime and deviance (review from SOC1034). Key authors and texts, such as David Garland’s (2002) The Culture of Control, helps students historicise punishment, crime control and social change. Crucially students will explore how crime control dominates how ‘social problems' are produced, framed and dealt with in neoliberal societies, through for example ‘law and order’ populism, and punishing the poor (eg. Wacquant, Tyler).
The second half of the module begins with an examination of how the ‘self’ is governed and disciplined in neoliberal states, drawing for eg. on Michel Foucault’s body of work. Week 7 acts as a ‘bridge’ between the first and second part of the module. The second half of the module then focuses on explicitly applying sociological thinking on crime, deviance, punishment and crime control to contemporary ‘social problems’, specific populations, spaces/ times, and control measures.
The examples used in the second half of the module rest on the research expertise of module leaders, which may include (but are not restricted to) social class, 'race' and racism, gender and intersectionality, spaces/times of crime and deviance, medical professions and knowledge production, drugs and drug users, and dataveillance/surveillance technologies.
Review of Social Constructivist ideas (from SOC1034)
Review of social control literature (formal, informal, self)
Left, Right and New Realist Approaches to Crime and Deviance
Governance and governmentality
Knowledge production and power
Sociology of risk and risk management
The New Penology
Cultures of Control
Punishing the Poor
Governing populations through crime
Contemporary social control debates
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.
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
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | online, synchronous lecture |
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | podcast (1 hour) |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 10 | 2:00 | 20:00 | PIP Timetabled Lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 30:00 | 30:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 6 | 1:00 | 6:00 | PIP Timetabled Seminars |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | PiP Timetabled Assessment Support Workshop 1 |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Online Timetabled Assessment workshop 2 (online Q&A) |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | PIP Timetabled Assessment workshop 2 |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 137:00 | 137:00 | N/A |
| Total | 200:00 |
N/A
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 1 | M | 40 | 1,500 words |
| Essay | 1 | M | 60 | 2,500 words |
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Presentation | 1 | M | Ongoing throughout module based on seminar performance |
The first assessment will be focused on students understanding the background theories, concepts and approaches within the Sociology of crime, deviance, punishment and social control.
The second assessment will task them with exploring in depth Garland’s argument in relation to the culture of control, or exploring the implications of social control for certain populations.
N/A
Disclaimer: The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2023/24 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 2024/25 entry will be published here in early-April 2024. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.