module specification

SC5057 - Crime Prevention and Environmental Design (2024/25)

Module specification Module approved to run in 2024/25
Module title Crime Prevention and Environmental Design
Module level Intermediate (05)
Credit rating for module 15
School School of Social Sciences and Professions
Total study hours 150
 
105 hours Guided independent study
45 hours Scheduled learning & teaching activities
Assessment components
Type Weighting Qualifying mark Description
Unseen Examination 100%   Multiple choice test, 50 questions 1.5 hours
Running in 2024/25

(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change)		 No instances running in the year

Module summary

This module begins by offering a discussion about the complexity of defining crime prevention and how this concept involves the consideration of many sectors (including that of education, urban planning, public policy and of course, criminal justice). From this broad starting point, the module explains the key concepts in crime prevention (crime control, crime reduction, and community safety). The module then discusses different types of crime prevention including that of: developmental crime prevention, community crime prevention, situational crime prevention, law enforcement / criminal justice crime prevention and crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED). In examining these varying forms of crime prevention, the module draws upon contemporary environmental criminological and psychological research as well as real-world case studies from across the world. An emphasis throughout the module is ‘what works’ in preventing crime. In doing so, the module offers an acute investigation of the evidence that supports the claim that the built environment can be designed to prevent crime. The module also advances critical discussion of the limits and problems of crime prevention approaches (such as that regarding displacement and diffusion effects as well as net-widening and ethical problems surrounding pre-crime monitoring).

Prior learning requirements

Available for Study Abroad? YES

Syllabus

This module will focus on the following key subjects:

1. What is crime prevention? (Crime control, crime reduction, and community safety)
2. Developmental crime prevention
3. Community crime prevention
4. Situational crime prevention
5. Law enforcement / criminal justice crime prevention
6. Crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED)
7. Examining the real-world & ‘what works’ (field trip)
8. Future directions of crime prevention

Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity

Teaching: weekly lectures followed by exercises (such as quizzes, group work activities and worksheets) and reflexive discussion based on data and key texts.

Learning: Learning is supported by the WebLearn site for the module which includes lecture notes, individual and group exercises, newspaper articles and longer articles and links to relevant websites and multimedia content. There will also be a local field trip where you will examine the built environment.

The lecture notes and exercises are used as the initial basis for tackling a topic, but you are encouraged to go beyond these in preparing for the final assessment. The module also asks you to engage with a range of ‘at home’ tasks.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

1. Understand the history of crime prevention approaches and key crime prevention theories.
2. Identify and distinguish between various crime prevention approaches (typologies).
3. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of various crime prevention practices.
4. Be able to apply crime prevention theory to real-world case scenarios and offer critical reflection on how to prevent crime.

Assessment strategy

Multiple choice exam composed of 50 questions examining the range of differing crime prevention approaches and critical issues relating to all of the learning objectives.

Bibliography