Dr Janet Foster

This course is available on the BSc in Social Policy and Sociology and BSc 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. 13 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes in the LT. 2 hours of classes in the ST.

All students are timetabled so that they are able to attend a 1 hour lecture in MT and LT and 1 hour weekly seminars in MT and LT. There are 2 hours of classes in the ST.

Students are required to complete two formative essays – one in MT and one in LT

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

Attendance at all classes and submission of all set coursework is required.