Accessibility statement

Law & Social Control - SOC00016M

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  • Department: Sociology
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Silvia Falcetta
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module summary

How do both formal and informal types of social control work to shape how contemporary societies work and are ordered? Examining a wide range of social controls, the module considers the various ways in which individuals and groups influence the behaviours of others.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2024-25

Module aims

The module aims to critically explore how formal and informal forms of social control shape the social order of contemporary societies. It explores a wide range of social control practices and how social control shapes patterns of deviant and normal behaviour in society. Throughout the module, students are encouraged to critically engage with the concept of social control and to consider how it can be used to explain a number of aspects of contemporary social life.

Module learning outcomes

Upon completion of the module, you should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the relationship between law and social control;

  2. Critically analyse informal and formal mechanisms of social control and how these are established and sustained in institutions and social practices;

  3. Critically evaluate the role of social control in criminal justice systems and the mundane practices of everyday life;

  4. Communicate effectively complex ideas through a variety of written formats.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay		 N/A 100

Module feedback

For formative work students will receive feedback on how to improve their skills in areas that will contribute towards their summative assessment. The formative assessment provides practice for the summative tasks which entail an essay which is in line with MLOs particularly 1-4.

For summative work – essay - students will receive an overall mark and grading according to clearly defined criteria for assessing their knowledge, skills and abilities in line with MLOs 1-4. They will also receive written feedback showing areas in which they have done well and areas in which they need to improve that will contribute to their progress.

Indicative reading

Chriss, J.J. (2013) Social Control: An Introduction. Polity Press

Cohen, S. (1985) Visions of Social Control: Crime, Punishment, and Classification. Polity Press

Foucault, M. (1975) [1991] Discipline and Punish: The Birth of Prison. Translated from the French by A. Sheridan. Penguin


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.