1. Compare, contrast and critically assess modernist and postmodernist theoretical approaches to understanding crime.

Module Code:  CR5004

Module Title:  Crime, Deviance and Social History

Percentage contribution to overall Module Mark:  50%

Word Length:  3000

This piece of coursework will be assessed by reference to the following criteria:

1. Engagement with the academic literature

2. Understanding of the topic area

3. Good academic practice in relation to proper referencing

4. Ability to answer the question set and to ensure that all content is relevant to the question

5. Ability to construct a coherent argument within the word limit

6. Ability to construct a coherent essay structure

This coursework assessment is designed to allow students to show how the following learning outcomes have been achieved:

Knowledge

1.     understand  (1) classical and contemporary ideas about the cultural and ideological character of crime and deviance, (2) some of the most important empirical studies in the field, and (3) some of the links between sociological theorizing of crime and deviance and the socio-historical context in which these theories emerged.

2.     demonstrate a critical awareness of the social and historical character of crime and its punishment.

Thinking skills

3.     think critically, to ‘read’ and digest studies of a complex phenomenon;

4.     synthesize items of knowledge from different schools and disciplines of enquiry;

5.     demonstrate an ability to analyse historical accounts of certain key events and ideas in the emergence of the modern crime problem and the various institutional responses to it.

6.    Demonstrate an ability to assess the importance of theoretical material to the study of crime and punishment in its social context.

7.     demonstrate the capacity to reflect on the significance of theory to the study of crime, but at the same time to be able to identify the limits of various theoretical arguments in seminars.

Subject-based practical skills

8.     demonstrate research skills through library investigation, debate and essay writing;

9.     demonstrate the ability to research in a particular area of the module, and to interpret crime in its social, cultural and historical context

Skills for life and work (general skills)

10.     synthesize apparently diverse ideas concerning diverse cultural settings;

11.     recognize the links between sociological theories and empirical studies;

12.     demonstrate an understanding of the issues covered in the course through written work and oral presentations.