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Policy Analysis in Criminology

Module description

Policy analysis and communication are skills that are highly relevant for criminology and criminal justice, and sought after by a range of employers, both in the sector and more broadly. They are also inherently of interest to many studying Sociology, Criminology and related topics, many of whom are keen to make a difference and to have a positive, practical impact in their field of choice. This module will give participants, who may be in their 2nd or 3rd year, first-hand experience of developing and delivering a policy brief on a contemporary issue in criminology, with a particular focus on the police, prisons and detention and the justice system. In so doing, it will give them the opportunity to explore theoretical debates about policy change, to discuss substantive policy issues in social and criminal justice and to develop practical skills, including oral, written and presentational skills.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module aims to give participants first-hand experience of developing and delivering a policy brief on a contemporary issue in criminology, with a particular focus on the police, prisons and detention and the justice system.  In so doing, it will give them the opportunity to explore theoretical debates about policy change, to discuss substantive policy issues in social and criminal justice and to develop practical employability skills, including oral, written and presentational skills.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Demonstrate detailed knowledge of a contemporary policy issue in criminology;
• 2. Generate and justify recommendations around a contemporary policy issue in criminology;
• 3. Understand and apply theories of policy change;

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. Analyse contemporary policy issues in criminology;
• 5. Understand and assess theory pertaining to criminology policy;

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 6. Plan, develop and deliver a clear and well-timed poster presentation;
• 7. Demonstrate the basic design and / or PowerPoint skills necessary to produce a visually pleasing, understandable poster;
• 8. Plan, develop and deliver a policy briefing with an Executive Summary.

Syllabus plan

Whilst the precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover all or some of the following topics:

• Introduction
• Theoretical frameworks on policy change
• The role of academics in bringing about policy change
• The role of other actors in bringing about policy change
• Case studies
• One of more issues around policy-making in the police (which may include use of force, stop and search, special constabulary, equality and diversity issues and other topics of public policy concern)
• One or more issues around policy-making with regards to the judiciary, sentencing, legal and due process (which may include the use of magistrates, judges and juries; forms of sentencing and sentencing alternatives, IPP sentences, equality and diversity issues)
• One or more issues around policy making-in detention (which may include immigration detention, equality and diversity issues, prison monitoring and oversight)
• One or more policy issues elsewhere in the broader criminology landscape
• Limits and unintended consequences of policies
• Planning for and evaluations of policies
• The ‘impact agenda’

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Assessment for this module comprises a 5 minute poster presentation to the seminar group and a 4000 word briefing. As re-assessment usually occurs over the summer it will not be possible for candidates to present to their seminar group. Therefore they will be asked to record themselves giving their presentation and submit this to the module convenor for assessment.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

McDowell, M.G. & Fernandez, L.A. (2018) ‘Disband, Disempower, and Disarm’: Amplifying the Theory and Practice of Police Abolition’ Critical Criminology 26: 373

Martin Innes, A ‘Mirror’ and a ‘Motor’: Researching and Reforming Policing in an Age of Austerity, Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice, Volume 4, Issue 2, 2010, Pages 127–134

Wolf, B and De Angelis, J (2011) ‘Tasers, Accountability, and Less Lethal Force: Keying in on the Contentious Construction of Police Electroshock Weapons’ International Journal of Criminology and Sociological Theory 4 (2): 657-673

Key words search

policy, research informed practice, impact, prison, policing, criminal justice