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2010/1 Module Catalogue
 Module Code: SOCM019 Module Title: CRIME & OFFENDING
Module Provider: Sociology Short Name: SOCM33
Level: M Module Co-ordinator: BRUNTON-SMITH IR Mr (Sociology)
Number of credits: 15 Number of ECTS credits: 7.5
 
Module Availability
Autumn Semester
Assessment Pattern
2 essays
Module Overview

This module focuses on the nature and extent of crime and offending. It examines the different approaches to measuring crime and offending (police recorded crime, victim surveys, ‘known ‘ offending and self report studies). It considers the main factors associated with crime and offending and highlights the importance of understanding the nature and patterns of crime in planning strategies and interventions.

 
Prerequisites/Co-requisites
Module Aims
Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the module students can expect to:

 

  • understand the extent and nature of crime and offending

     
  • be familiar with the conceptual and methodological issues in measuring crime
  • appreciate the main factors associated with crime and offending
Module Content

The module will consist of 10 x 2 hour sessions. The following topics will be covered.

 

  1. Measuring and recording crime; victim surveys

     
  2. Types and patterns of crime; crime auditing, geographic profiling and ‘hot-spots’

     
  3. Crime in historical and cross-national perspective

     
  4. Fear of crime

     
  5. Professional and organised crime

     
  6. Drugs and crime

     
  7. ‘Known’ offending and self reported offending

     
  8. Young people and crime

     
  9. Gender, ethnicity and patterns of offending

     
  10. Crime prevention and reduction
Methods of Teaching/Learning
Selected Texts/Journals

Bean, P. Drugs and Crime 2nd Ed Willan

 

Burrows, J. and Tarling, R., Mackie, A., Lewis, R. and Taylor, G. (2000) Review of Police Forces’ Crime Recording Practices. London : Home Office.

 

Coleman, C. and Moynihan, J. (1996) Understanding Crime Data, Buckingham: OUP.

 

Croall, H. (2001) Understanding White Collar Crime , Open University Press

 

Davies, A. and Pearson, G. (Eds.) Histories of Crime and Modernity. British Journal of Criminology, 39, 1 Special Issue

 

Farrington D. P. and Tarling, R. Eds.(1985) Prediction in Criminology Albany, New York : SUNY Press.

 

Farrall S. and Gadd D. (2004) The Frequency of the Fear of Crime. British Journal of Criminology 44, 127-132

 

Green, D. (2004) Do the official crime figures tell the whole story? Civitas

 

Hough, M, Mirlees-Black, C, Dale M (2005) Trends in violent crime since 1999/2000. Kings College , London

 

Lloyd, C., Mair, G. and Hough, M. (1994). Explaining Reconviction rates: A critical analysis. London : Home Office.

 

McLaughlin, E. et al (2002) Criminological Perspectives. 2nd Ed. Sage

 

Maguire, M., Morgan, R. and Reiner, R. (eds.) (2002) The Oxford Handbook of Criminology, 3rd

 

edition, Oxford : Clarendon Press.

 

Maguire, K. and Pastore, A. L. (Eds.) (1999) Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics. Available at: http://www.albany.edu/sourcebook

 

Raynor, P. et. al (2000). Risk and Need Assessment in Probation Services. London : Home Office.

 

London : HMSO.

 

Tarling, R. and Davison, T. (2000). Victims of Domestic Burglary. London : Victim Support.

 

Walker , A. et. Al (2006) Crime in and Wales 2005/06. London : Home Office

 
Last Updated
August 2009