SC6053 - Victims and Crime (2017/18)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2017/18 | ||||||||||||||||
| Module title | Victims and Crime | ||||||||||||||||
| Module level | Honours (06) | ||||||||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 15 | ||||||||||||||||
| School | School of Social Sciences | ||||||||||||||||
| Total study hours | 150 | ||||||||||||||||
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| Assessment components |
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| Running in 2017/18(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
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Module summary
For much of its history, criminology has been concerned with the offender. The victim was largely absent from criminological discourse, research and the criminal justice process. It was not until the early 20th century that criminologists [re] discovered the victim and began to consider the role they played in the commission of crime. From these early investigations, the victim became the central focus for many scholars and the discipline ‘victimology’ emerged. The victim is no longer considered to be ‘a bit part player’ in understanding crime. They are considered to be central to crime detection and to the prosecution of criminal acts. This module charts the birth and growth of victimology and considers some of its key theoretical concepts. It will explore the nature and extent of criminal victimisation in society and critically examine it from a number of different perspectives. The module will also explore the changing role of victim within the criminal justice system.
Module aims
- To provide students with an overview of the key theoretical concepts within victimology.
- To identify to some of the social and political factors that placed victims at the forefront of academic and profession discourses.
- To encourage students to critically appraise the nature and extent of victimisation. To develop student ability to research, analyse, and communicate their thoughts relating to victimisation, victim policy and practice.
Syllabus
- The emergence of victimology
- Victimological perspectives
- Measuring victimisation
- Victims and media construction
- Victim support
- Gender and victimisation
- Social class and victimisation
- Race, Ethnicity and Victimisation
- Victims and criminal justice
- Victims of hate crime
Learning and teaching
The module is based on weekly lectures and seminars for 15 weeks. This weekly 3-hour session will be organised on the basis of lectures, seminar workshops (including use of a range of media) and group debates. Students are expected to attend all lectures. In addition, students are expected to undertake 6-7 hours independent reading/study per week and to use the knowledge gained in seminar workshops and group discussions.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the unit students will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the key victimological theories on youth engagement in violent crime.
- Critically apply theoretical concepts of victimisation to social issues.
- Demonstrate an understanding of criminal justice responses to victims.
- Express and defend their views on victimisation with peers in seminars and in academic work.
Assessment strategy
Oral presentation (25%)
Essay (65%)
Seminar attendance & participation (10%)
Bibliography
Davies, P, Francis, P & Greer, C. (2007) Victim, Crime and Society, Sage Publications
Davies, P. Francis, P. and Jupp, V. (2004.) Victimisation: Theory, Research and Policy, London: Palgrave Macmillan.
Goodey, J. (2004) Victims and Victimology: Research Policy and Practice, London: Longman
Mawby, R. and Walklate, S. (2000) Critical Victimology: International Perspectives, Sage Publications.
Maguire, M., Morgan, R., and Reiner, R. (2012) The Oxford Handbook of Criminology (5th Eds), Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Walklate, S. (2007) Handbook of Victims and Victimology (eds.) Devon: Willan Publishing
Walklate, S. (2013) Victimology: The Victim and the Criminal Justice Process Oxon: Routledge