SOC6085 - Criminal Deaths and Society's Grief

Objectives:

Assessment tasks are designed to enable students to demonstrate the Learning and Employability outcomes for the relevant level of study. Level Learning Outcomes are embedded in the assessment task(s) at that level. This enables a more integrated view of overall student performance at each level.

Content:

People die each day, and often of natural, accidental, or self-inflicted causes. Their deaths are sometimes sudden, which can exacerbate the grief process. But for some people, between 500-700 a year in the UK, they are killed at the hands of another, sometimes in very brutal ways. Not all of these deaths receive substantial, or prolonged coverage, but the ones which do, can earn a collective, shared sense of grief. The public suggest or attend vigils, leave flowers at the scene, and share details via social media platforms. You will explore different ways in which people die in our society, and the grief processes we go through as a society, even if we do not know the victims!

Beginning with an introduction to ways of dying, this module will examine how various manners and methods of death are determined and investigated. This involves a detailed look at forensic and criminal investigations to establish cause and intent, including the role of coroner’s inquests and criminal proceedings when necessary.

The module addresses the societal processes following a death, such as public notifications and organised gatherings, as well as the role of the media in reporting deaths and shaping public perception. It considers the emotional landscape of grief, introducing grief models and processes to understand both public and private mourning. Special attention is given to how cultural differences shape death celebrations and mourning practices.

The impact of death on victims—both those directly affected and their broader social circles—is analysed, highlighting the psychological toll and societal expectations of respectful public grieving. Finally, the module explores how individuals can navigate the complexities of being “respectable public grievers” in the public eye, balancing personal loss with societal norms.

Throughout the module, we will explore different case studies so we can critically evaluate and analyse societal expectations of death and grief. Where possible, we will be inviting guest speakers and professionals who will offer you unique insights into working with survivors, family members, and law enforcement agencies.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Lectures (once a week)
Hours: 10
Intended group size: 50

Workshops (once a week)
Hours: 10
Intended group size: 50

Guided independent study
Hours: 130

Further details relating to assessment
You are required to complete one assessment for the module, worth 100% of your overall module grade. You have a choice of either a podcast recording or a case study reflection.

We will be going through assessment requirements in the first week of term, with dedicated tutorials for one-to-one feedback opportunities. You will have the opportunity to obtain feedback on plans, with actionable feedback, prior to submission.

You can find information on the assessment requirements in the (a) module handbook, (b) assessment guides, and (c) dedicated assessment unpacking sessions. These will all be available via Moodle.

Assessment:

001 10-15 min podcast recording OR 2000 word case study reflection; end of semester 2 100%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Kirsty Bennett
Level - 6
Credit Value - 15
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 6S2

Click here to go back to previous page