Accessibility statement

Advances in Criminological Theory - SOC00014M

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  • Department: Sociology
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Carol Robinson
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2021-22

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Spring Term 2021-22

Module aims

The module aims to critically engage students with core theories and major advances in criminological theory. This involves examining the development of ideas and scholarly debates in key areas of criminological theory. Key issues and advances within core areas of theoretical criminology will be explored, including: classicism and neo-classicism; Left idealism and Left realism; interactionist and cultural criminology; feminist criminology; urban theory, crime and disorder. Students will develop their ability to understand and evaluate theoretical perspectives and their skills at communicating the differences and potential areas of synthesis between theories of crime and social control.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module students should be able to:

  • Demonstrate a developed knowledge and understanding of core criminological theory;
  • Critically evaluate the distinctiveness, strengths and weaknesses of a variety of theoretical approaches to crime and deviance;
  • Critically analyse how advances in theory are made;
  • Identify the ontological and epistemological basis of a variety of theoretical approaches and critically account for how philosophical foundations necessarily place limits on the explanatory potential of theory.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Assessment 1 - 5000 word Essay 		N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Assessment 1 - 5000 word Essay 		N/A 100

Module feedback

Feedback on all work is provided in a variety of ways and you must make the most of all opportunities do discuss your assessment and study progress:

1. After each open assessment you will receive feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of your work. This will be available within 4 weeks of the submission deadline

2. You will meet with your supervisor twice a term and you should discuss any concerns that you have and also present your assessment feedback for further comment

3. You will be asked to comment on the teaching of the modules and results will be discussed at Teaching Committee

4. You will have five supervision meetings with your dissertation supervisor through the summer months to enable you to discuss the different aspects of your work.

 

Indicative reading

These will be available on the module sites through the Yorkshare VLE. Most reading materials will be journals or book chapters which will be in pdf format. These can be downloaded and annotated on your work pc if you don t want the expense of printing.

Recommended books will be available in the library for reference only.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.