Dr Michael Shiner OLD2.49

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

The purpose of the course is to provide students with an understanding of, and critical perspective on, key debates in contemporary crime control policy. The course examines the emergent features of current responses to problems of crime and social order, focusing in particular on issues such as: policing and security; crime prevention and surveillance; youth, crime and control; drugs policy; and punishment. Attention is given to both historical and comparative perspectives, together with analyses of developments in current government policy.

Lectures x 19; Classes x 19, MT and LT, plus one revision class (ST).

One essay per term (MT and LT) will be required. 

The two primary texts for the course are: M Maguire, R Morgan and R Reiner, The Oxford Handbook of Criminology, 5th ed, 2012; and, T Newburn, Criminology, 2nd ed, 2013. In addition, students might wish to consult: D Garland, The Culture of Control: Crime and Social Order in Contemporary Society, 2001; T Newburn, Handbook of Policing, 2008; N Tilley, Handbook of Crime Prevention and Community Safety, 2005; D Gilling, Crime Reduction and Community Safety: Labour and the Politics of Local Crime Control, 2008; RJ MacCoun and P Reuter, Drug War Heresies: Learning from Other Vices, Times and Places, 2001; R. Hughes, R. Lart and P. Higate, Drugs: Policy and Politics, 2006; J Muncie, Youth and Crime, 2009; W Taylor, R Earle and R Hester, Youth Justice Handbook: Theory, Policy and Practice, 2010.

Exam (100%, duration: 3 hours) in the main exam period.