SOC3123 - Foundations in Sociology and Policing

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Outline key trends related to social inequalities
Describe some of the key concepts and theories sociologists employ in their investigations
Explain current trends and issues faced in policing.
State what the police do to reduce crime in society and how they engage with individuals and the wider community.

Content:

This module focuses on social inequalities in society and how they can be explained and current trends and issues in modern day policing. These issues are investigated in a number of ways such as by drawing upon the work of key sociologists, academics and criminologists. Concepts such as socialisation, norms and values, social control, status, inequality, crime, deviance, victimisation, retribution and non-crime related social trends will be explored and examined. Introductory level theories will be examined throughout to make sense of each of these topic areas. Attempts to address important social problems, including inequality and criminality, will also be reviewed. Finally a range of topical and relevant areas associated with sociology, policing and crime will be explored to prepare learners for progression onto level 4.

Learning and Teaching Information:

The module will utilise student-centred learning. Students will be encouraged to apply sociological and criminological theories to social problems that they wish to focus upon. Debates and critical reflection will be employed to stimulate student interest. Students will work in groups to develop their understanding of trends and academic theories. Students will undertake problem-solving learning and be involved in formative peer assessment of each other work. Students will also be encouraged to take part in on-line discussion groups. On-line quizzes and resources will be drawn upon to support students’ learning. All learning will be supportive to foster increased self-confidence.

Lectures/workshops/seminars
Hours: 80
Intended Group Size: Cohort = 30

Guded independent study
Hours: 220

Further details relating to assessment
TThe presentation will focus on a selected number of social trends and some of the ways that sociologists explain these. This knowledge will be developed through the self-directed learning and teaching to elicit and use evidence of student understanding associated with the learning outcomes. This will take place at the end of semester 1.

The portfolio of evidence will focus on current issues faced in policing and what the police are doing to engage with the community they serve. This will be achieved by exploring several key themes during taught session, in class discussions and self-directed reading. This will take place at the end of semester 2.

Feedback with be given during the unit on completion of tasks which will help learners to develop their knowledge and understanding and formally through the assessed tasks.

The Marking Matrix is applied to the marking of assessed work as in line with levels 4-6.

Assessment:

001 Solo presentation; 10 minutes; end of semester 1 50%
002 Portfolio of evidence; 1,500 words; end of semester 2 50%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - David Stockbridge
Level - 0
Credit Value - 30
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 3YL

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