POL4102 - Criminology and Crime Prevention

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Explore crime prevention theories and strategies
Assess the strengths and weaknesses of different policing models in relation to crime/victimisation and the public
Review the inter-relationship of crime prevention with other policing approaches
Explore the role of technology and the public in preventing crime
Review specific initiatives relating to crime prevention

Content:

This module will enable students to examine a range of key concepts relating to criminology and why people commit crime. Students will explore the nature, and relationship between offending and victimisation considering theoretical approaches to criminology. Students will examine the relationship between community engagement and crime prevention and review crime prevention theories and strategies. The module enables students to appreciate the importance of assessing the strengths and weaknesses of different policing models in relation to crime and victimisation and the public. Students will become familiar with the main sources of information and academic research regarding national policing strategies and be able to use these materials for research purposes.

This module also introduces students to more sophisticated research methodologies. They will learn about the importance of planning research activities; the strengths and weaknesses of research methodologies and approaches; will research, analyse and evaluate research publications and qualitative and quantitative data; understand what is proficiency in academic writing and presentations, in accordance with ethical protocols; understand effective referencing of a wide range of material appropriate to the subject area; and learn about quantitative and qualitative research techniques, including the interpretation of data.

This module will incorporate teaching from Citizens, with a particular emphasis on the strengths of community organising, and the benefits of this in a policing context. Students will be introduced to community groups and will spend time learning what makes a community group effective, and how engagement, participation and power all play a role in effecting positive social change.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Students will take part in a 4-hour session each week, and teaching will be based on the gradual responsibility model (Fischer & Frey, 2021).

Each session will begin with class discussion and debate, based on material given in the previous week, to develop thinking, engagement and participation in ideas and evidence-based opinions.

There will be a ‘main teach’ which is intended as concept construction, followed by practical tasks and activities to consolidate learning, and initiate formative discussion for feedback, addressing misconceptions and learning, where students may be broken down into smaller groups.

Each session will end with a plenary reflection, and a feed forward into the next session.

Formative assessment in the forms of interactive polls, surveys, information padlets and knowledge checks will be utilised in every session to check the levels of understanding and engagement from students. This will add to the formative discussion and feedback from the practical tasks and activities.

Students will be provided with resources and instructions for their self-directed learning, to scaffold them through the module and build knowledge and ideas for their assignments.

In addition, students will have an extra session each week specifically oriented to the development of their academic skills in aspects of writing, presentation and communication for assessment.

Lectures
Hours: 40
Intended Group Size: 25-40

Small group teaching
Hours: 10

Guided independent study
Hours: 150

Further details relating to assessment
Poster Presentation: Students will produce and present an academic poster, in which the role of technology in crime prevention is explored, and solutions offered utilising a plural preventative, intelligence, and enforcement approach. Students will be able to choose from several suggested topic areas or negotiate their own title with the module lead.

Group presentation: working in small groups, students will perform a 20-minute presentation on an area of crime prevention, engaging with models and theories to explore the inter-relationship between policing and crime prevention, followed by a 10-minute Q&A with the assessor, which will allow them to explore the finer details, and expand on the ideas in their presentation. This module will be co-creative, and working in partnership with Citizens, the students will have access to ‘real life’ social organisation projects, working with members of the community to explore how to hold power to account for social change in a crime prevention context. Students will be given several themes to consider or can negotiate their presentation subject with the module lead.

Re-sit requirements: for students who do not pass the module at their 1st attempt, the resit will normally be by individual presentation.

Assessment:

001 Poster presentation; 10 minutes; mid semester 2 25%
002 Integrated assessment; group presentation; Q&A; 30 min; end semester 2 75%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Donna Eastham
Level - 4
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 4S2

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