Dr Janet Foster S206

This course is available on the BSc in Social Policy and Sociology, BSc in Sociology and Diploma in Sociology. This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit and to General Course students.

This course encourages students to think about and debate some of the major issues in Criminology. We explore the social construction of crime and deviance; the different sources of information about them; key factors that shape patterns, perspectives and experiences of crime and deviance, including social class, gender, ethnicity and the media; and different Criminological theories that have been used to explain crime and deviance. We also explore elements of social control including policing and prisons.

10 hours of lectures and 9 hours of classes in the MT. 10 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes in the LT. 3 hours of lectures and 4 hours of classes in the ST.

There is no set text for this course, and a full reading list is provided at the first class. The following is useful introductory reading that includes topics covered on the course: Carrabine E et al (2008) Criminology: A Sociological Perspective; Downes, D & Rock, P (2011, 4th Edition) Understanding Deviance; Maguire, M et al, (2007, 4th Edition) The Oxford Handbook of Criminology, Tierney, J (2010, 3rd Edition) Criminology: Theory and Context; Walklate, S (2011) Criminology: The Basics.

Exam (70%, duration: 3 hours) in the main exam period.
Essay (30%, 2000 words) in the ST.
Attendance at all classes and submission of all set coursework is required.