Crime Prevention and Control within Contemporary Society
| Module title | Crime Prevention and Control within Contemporary Society |
|---|---|
| Module code | SOC3133 |
| Academic year | 2023/4 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Ms Ashley Frayling (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
Module description
This is a unique module which will explore areas of contemporary criminological debate and policy around community safety and crime prevention, ranging from reducing burglaries in local neighbourhoods to preventing radicalisation of individuals from terrorist activity. You will consider issues such as crime displacement, evaluate the use of technology in facial recognition to crime mapping, all while debating the causal patterns of crime and deviance behaviour. Through your assessments you will be provided a unique opportunity to be a criminal justice professional utilising the content and material you have developed over the course of the module and your degree to apply crime prevention techniques and theories to a real world problem.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to provide students with an introduction to contemporary debates, techniques and developments in crime prevention and control within the United Kingdom. The module will also aim to give students first hand problem solving experience in developing and applying crime prevention theories and techniques to a real world problem. In doing so they will have the opportunity to explore contemporary issues and debates around the causes of crime, evidence based research and the impact of crime prevention and control policies upon society. You will also develop your practical employability skills, including your oral, written and presentation skills.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate knowledge and critical application of theories and techniques of crime prevention
- 2. Critically evaluate the effectiveness of crime prevention methods and data
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. To critically reflect upon, apply and engage with sociological, criminological and empirical findings.
- 4. Demonstrate understanding and critical evaluation of theories and arguments within criminology
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Argue rationally, concisely, in a logically structured way to communication information and ideas in written and oral forms.
- 6. Work independently to apply crime prevention techniques to a real life crime problem
- 7. Engage in group work to prepare presentations for class discussion
Syllabus plan
Introduction (what is prevention?)
Historical and Social Context of Crime Prevention and Control
Theoretical approaches to Crime, Deviance and Prevention
Formal and Informal Structures for Crime Prevention
The Criminal Justice System and Crime Prevention
Use and Role of Technology within Crime Prevention
Role and Impact of Prevention Policy
Researching and Measuring the Effectiveness of Crime Prevention
Applying Crime Prevention Techniques to Real World Problems
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 128 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 22 | 11 x 2-hour weekly lectures/seminars (or 1 hour lecture + 1 hour seminar) |
| Guided independent study | 30 | Course readings |
| Guided independent study | 74 | Preparation for essays, assessments, readings |
| Guided independent study | 24 | Examination revision |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short reflective essay | 500 words | 1-7 | Written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 60 | 0 | 40 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poster / presentation | 40 | 1 x A4 Poster (and 10 minute presentation) | 1-7 | Written and oral feedback |
| Portfolio | 60 | 2000 words | 1-7 | Written and oral feedback |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poster | 1 x A4 poster for a new topic set by tutor | 1-7 | August/September Reassessment period |
| Portfolio | Portfolio (3000 words) | 1-7 | August/September Reassessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Basia Spalek (2011) ‘New Terrorism’ and Crime Prevention Initiatives Involving Muslim Young People in the UK: Research and Policy Contexts, Religion, State and Society, 39:2-3, 191-207, DOI: 10.1080/09637494.2011.577202
Armitage, R (2017) Burglars’ take on crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED): reconsidering the relevance from an offender perspective. Secur J 31:285-304
Chiu et al., (2020) Situational Crime Prevention in Sexual Offenses Against Women: Offenders Tell Us what Works and What Doesn’t. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 1-22.
May. T. (1991). Probation: Policy, Politics and Practice. Milton Keynes, UK:
Open University Press.
Piza et al (2019). CCTV surveillance for crime prevention. A 40 year systematic review with meta-analysis. Criminology and Public Policy, 18: 135-159.
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 20/01/2021 |
| Last revision date | 27/01/2022 |
