SS7179 - Crime, Risk and Prevention (2023/24)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2023/24 | ||||||||||
| Module title | Crime, Risk and Prevention | ||||||||||
| Module level | Masters (07) | ||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 20 | ||||||||||
| School | School of Social Sciences and Professions | ||||||||||
| Total study hours | 200 | ||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
| Assessment components |
|
||||||||||
| Running in 2023/24(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
|
Module summary
This module explores the connections between the many factors that contribute to the onset of, prevention of, and desistance from, crime and other forms of risk-taking. It examines how these shape patterns of offending and victimisation. It takes an empirically-grounded, theoretically-informed approach and investigates the inter-relationships between formal social controls (as exercised through the criminal justice system) and informal social controls (as exercised through families, neighbourhoods, local economies and other social policies). It examines the relationships between youth offending, victimisation and crime, looking at a range of topics such as gangs and drugs, and trafficking. Finally, it will consider prevention strategies to understand what interventions might have reduced risk.
Aims:
● To develop an understanding of the history of the social construction of youth offending and the government’s responses to these issues.
● To analyse the connections between the many factors contributing to the onset of, prevention of, and desistance from, crime.
● To explore the role of support systems such as family, mentoring, schools in crime prevention and desistance.
● To critically explore the role of the criminal justice system in crime prevention.
● To apply key theoretical positions to a range of empirically-grounded studies of crime.
Prior learning requirements
Available for Study Abroad? YES
Syllabus
The syllabus will include coverage of topics such as those listed below.
● Definitions and key debates: This session explores concepts/debates on social construction of youth and ‘youth offending’ (LO1)
● The History of Youth Justice: Welfare and Punishment: This session provides an overview of the history of youth justice (LO3,4).
● Youth Justice process: This session examines the various youth justice processes (LO3,4).
● Explaining Youth Offending: key theories: This session explores various theoretical perspectives of youth offending (LO2).
● Gangs, victimisation and young people: This session provides empirical insights into ganga, victimisation and young people (LO1,2,3,4).
● Young people, trafficking and exploitation: This session explores young people, trafficking and exploitation drawing on empirical research (LO2,3,4).
● Drug, young people and intervention: This session examines drug, young people and intervention drawing on empirical research (LO2,3,4).
● Offending and desistance: Why do youth offend, and stop offending? This session explains risk factors of youth offending and victimisation (LO1,2)
● Violence Prevention: Criminal Justice or Public Health? This session examines the criminal justice and/or public health responses to violence prevention (LO2,3).
● What Works?: The session examines the various responses to youth offending(LO1,2,3,4).
● Assessment workshop: assists students with expressing and defending, orally and in writing, evidence-based arguments on victimisation (including Harvard referencing) (LO1, 2,3,4).
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
Each week, this module will be delivered through a one-hour lecture, and a two hour seminar or workshop. The reading and workshops will be supported by weblearn and you will be encouraged to engage in debate, presentations and web materials as well as attending lectures and seminars.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:
1. Analyse the connections between the many factors contributing to the onset of, prevention of, and desistance from, crime.
2. Explain criminal behaviour and risk factors of youth offending and victimisation.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the connections between formal social controls and informal social controls.
4. Critically analyse the role of the criminal justice system in crime prevention.
Assessment strategy
There will be a 4500 word essay.
This assessment will assess all of the learning outcomes by requiring significant reading, demonstrating your understanding and, if aiming for higher marks, to engage critically with the issues addressed in the module.