SS7086 - Contemporary Issues in Crime, Safety and Security (2018/19)
Module specification | Module approved to run in 2018/19 | ||||||||||||
Module title | Contemporary Issues in Crime, Safety and Security | ||||||||||||
Module level | Masters (07) | ||||||||||||
Credit rating for module | 20 | ||||||||||||
School | Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities | ||||||||||||
Total study hours | 200 | ||||||||||||
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Assessment components |
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Running in 2018/19(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) | No instances running in the year |
Module summary
The module aims to introduce students to emerging paradigms within safety and security at both local and global levels, and to explore some justifications for the increasing ‘securitisation’ of social life.
Prior learning requirements
None
Module aims
• The module aims to introduce students to emerging paradigms within safety and security at both local and global levels, and to explore some justifications for the increasing ‘securitisation’ of social life.
• Students will explore a variety of social settings where concepts of safety or security are applied. By a process of critical reflection and analysis they will be encouraged to test the success and validity of security provision within these settings and to consider the effects of securitisation processes upon contemporary criminal justice systems and other regulatory environments.
• Key theories and policies related to safety and security will examined and tested and their, ethical and legal implications outlined. Lectures will be supplemented by the provision of guest speakers with experience in security and safety provision in a variety of sectors.
• Students will develop their understanding of contemporary trends in security and emerging security threats, through relevant scholarly activity, and through reference to the appropriate academic literature and policy documentation
Syllabus
1 Introduction to key concepts in security
2 Survey of current policies & legislation related to security
3 Key issues (1) Organised crime
4. Key issues (2) New terrorism
5. Key Issues (3) Cyber crime
6 Responding to crime safety and security threats via technology
7 Responding to crime safety and security threats via the community
8 Community policing
9 Securitisation as crime control
10 Conclusions: Safety, Security and the new Criminology
Learning and teaching
Teaching sessions consist of a series of lectures and seminar group sessions which will take place online, in which students are encouraged to explore the Contemporary Issues in Crime, Safety and Security. Students draw upon case studies . Module materials will be made available online.
For the distance learning mode, this module will be delivered through the use of distance learning strategies as follows:
• E-learning: delivered using computers utilising internet technology and programming which allows the student to interact with the learning materials via chat rooms, online office hours and notice boards..
• Written materials: Students will be provided with written materials such as articles in electronic format (e.g. pdf files).
• Students will be required to complete a weekly Workbook involving key questions, exercises and tasks relating to the week’s lecture.
Students are expected to undertake 10 hours of independent study per week. Students will be encouraged to think critically and formative feedback will provided from the first assessment prior to attempting the second assessment.
Learning outcomes
• Critically evaluate developments and dominant paradigms in security and safety provision
• Assess changes in the structure and functioning of security and safety as an aspect of the criminal justice system
• Use reflection and analysis to understand and develop their own area of expertise within the fields of security and safety
• Utilise relevant research findings in the analysis of security
• Be conversant with key theoretical and conceptual frameworks as they apply to security and the criminal justice system
• Be conversant with some of key emerging issues in crime safety and security
Assessment strategy
Students to write two essays of 3,000 words each.
Essay 1 will explore contemporary issue within crime ,safety and security of their choice.
Essay 2 will critically examine the strategies used to combat a particular problem within crime safety or security or will apply a theoretical perspective to characterise a current regulatory approach to crime safety and security.
Bibliography
Alberts, Christopher J. & Dorofee, Audrey J.(2002) Managing Information Security Risks: The OCTAVESM Approach. Boston, MA: Addison-Wesley,
Button, M. (2007) Security Officers and Policing: Powers, Culture and Control in the Governance of
Private Space. Aldershot: Ashgate
Button, M. (2007) “Developments in Security” Security Journal, 20, pp 51-54
Crawford, A.( 1998b) Crime Prevention and Community Safety: Politics, Policies and Practices,
Pearson Education
George, B & Whatford, N. (2007 )“Regulation of Transport Security Post 9/11” Secur J 20, 158-170;
Gill, M. (2006) Handbook of Security, Palgrave Macmillan
Jones, T. & Newburn, T. 1998 Private Security and Public Policing Clarendon Press, 1998
Shearing, C. (1994 )"Transformations of Governance: The Case of Community Policing". Sash 37:1.
Trump, K.S. (2010). “Special Focus: School Security. The Latest School of Thought”
Security Management, Volume 45, Number 11, pp.60-66.
Schneier, B (2003) Beyond Fear : Thinking Sensibly About Security in an Uncertain World (Hardcover),
Springer-Verlag New York, Incorporated
Squires, P. (ed) ( 2006) Community safety: Critical perspectives on policy and practice, Policy Press
Tombs, S, Whyte, D. & Croall, H. 2007 Safety Crimes, Willan
Whyte, D (2006) Regulating Safety, Regulating Profit: In:Tucker, E eds. Working Disasters: the politics of recognition and response Baywood pp.181-207
Zedner, (2009) Security. Oxford. Routledge