Coursework3, Essays (university) of Criminology

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CRIMINOLOGY

LLBP

MODULE HANDBOOK

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CONTENTS

Protocols for Law Modules 3

• The Module Team
• Teaching Arrangements
• Learning Outcomes
• Course Content
• Books
• Useful Weblinks
• Assessment and Reassessment
• Handing in Written Coursework
• Deadlines, Extensions and Deferrals
• Coursework Length
• Appendix A: Grade Descriptors
• Appendix B: Referencing

TEACHING ARRANGEMENTS

This module is taught via two one hour lectures per week and one a one hour tutorial

each fortnight beginning in Week 1. This is particulalrly important because the first piece of coursework is due in so soon. It is not possible to pass this module without attending both. This is especially because some discussion may take place, as far as possible, in lectures and some new material may need to be delivered in tutorials. Criminology is a dynamic, inherently controversial subject and needs to be taught in flexible way. In order to make the most of the module we ask you to become dynamic participants!

Please let us know if you find any of our approaches especially interesting, helpful or enjoyable. We are always seeking to improve the module.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of the module students should be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the current political, economic and social policy environment within which contemporary western criminological theory operates;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the relative nature of the concept of crime;
• (^) Demonstrate an understanding of the main sociological theories of crime;
• Demonstrate an understanding of some prominent psychological theories of crime;
• Demonstrate an ability to understand the use, failings and abuse of criminal statistics;
• Demonstrate an ability to research and make use of primary source materials;
• (^) Demonstrate an ability to present coherent and competent written argument.

COURSE CONTENT

TERM 1

Lecture Reading* Tutorial

Week 1 Crime as a construct, doing

criminological research Ch. 1 and 36

Introductory tutorial

Week 2 Crime Data and Trends Ch. 3 Introductory Tutorial

Week 3 Crime and the Media I – News Media (Inc. Social Media)

Ch. 4 1

Week 4 Crime and the Media II – Fictional Media (Inc. PC Games etc)

Ch. 4 1

Week 5 Classicism and Positivism Ch. 5-7 and 14 2

Week 6 EMPLOYABILITY WEEK

Week 7 Classicism and Positivism Ch. 5-7 and 14 2

Week 8 Durkheim, Anomie and Strain Ch. 8 3

Week 9 Chicago School, Crime and Culture

Ch. 9 3

Wk.10 Control Theories Ch. 11 4

Wk. 11 Interactionism and Labelling

Theory

Ch. 10 4

TERM 2

Lecture Reading* Tutorial Week 15 Radical, Realist, Feminist and Critical Criminology,

Ch. 12, 13 and 15 5

Week 16 Late modernity, governmentality and risk

Ch. 16 5

Week 17 Race, Gender and Crime Ch. 31 and 32 6 Week 18 Globalisation, Terrorism and Green Criminology

Ch. 34 and 35 6

Week 19 White Collar and Corporate Crime

Ch. 18 7

Week 20 Organised Crime Ch. 19 7 Week 21 The Police, Development and current trends

Ch. 24 and 25 8

Week 22 EMPLOYABILITY WEEK Week 23 Drugs and Alcohol Ch. 21 8 Week 24 Penology I – Non custodial and prison

Ch. 22, 27 and 28. 9

Week 28 Penology II – Youth Crime/ Restorative Justice

Ch. 29 and 30. 9

Hillyard, P., Pantazis, C.,Tombs, S. and Gordon, D. (eds.) (2004), Beyond Criminology: Taking Harm Seriously , Pluto Press

Jones, S. (2009), Criminology , Oxford University Press (4th edition)

McGuire, J (2004), Understanding Psychology and Crime , Open University Press

Walklate, S (2004), Gender, Crime and Criminal Justice , Willan

Walklate, S. (2007), Understanding Criminology , Open University Press (3 rd^ edition)

Webster, C (2007), Understanding Race and Crime , Open University Press

Williams, K.S. (2012), A Textbook on Criminology , Oxford University Press (7 th^ edition)

Also a good intro/exam ‘crammer’: Criminology a complete introduction in the ‘Teach Yourself’ Series published by Hodder and Stoughton

USEFUL WEBLINKS

We will add to this list throughout the year. Keep an eye on Blackboard.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications?departments%5B%5D=home- office&publication_filter_option=statistics - Home Office Statistics.

http://www.justice.gov.uk - Ministry of Justice website. The Ministry of Justice is responsible for the courts, prisons, probation, criminal law and sentencing.

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk – Home Office website. The Home Office is the government department responsible for leading the national effort to protect the public from terrorism, crime and anti-social behaviour.

http://www.criminal-justice-system.gov.uk – A low key government criminal justice site

http://www.crim.cam.ac.uk - Cambridge Institute of Criminology

http://www.britsoccrim.org – British Society of Criminology

http://www.crimeandjustice.org.uk - Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, Kings College London – a useful source of information on all aspects of crime and criminal justice.

Make sure you regularly consult the subject Blackboard site!

ASSESSMENT AND REASSESSMENT

Assessment

Students are required to submit two 1500 word essays and sit an online MCQ phase test of 20 questions, the best two marks to count. In addition they will sit a 2 hour exam at the end of the year answering three essay questions chosen from six. The marks that count from the two 1500 word essays and the phase test each account for 25% of the overall mark; the end exam counts for 50%.

Set Coursework Titles

Assignment 1 , due date 30th October 2015, 4pm: Essay: Using appropriate crime and disorder examples analyse the concept of a 'social construct' (1500 words).

Assignment 2 , due date Friday 5th February 2016: Online MCQ test, 1 hour, open book, (test window 6AM -6PM).

Assignment 3 , due date Tuesday 8th March, 4pm: Essay: View the following Youtube link, 'Street Crime UK, 'Baldy' in Scarborough' ( mins 40 secs, uploaded by Marc Birks): https://youtu.be/Qn0VS6TVocI Considering criminological theory and research you have studied, analyse the relationships between crime, policing and the media paying particular attention to any relevant issues you feel are highlighted by that video (1500 words)

Re-assessment – when a student fails to obtain an overall pass grade taking account of all elements of the assessment the student will be required to re-present him/herself in each failed element, and will need to register as soon as possible to take the outstanding failed element(s) during August 2014.

The widespread use of the term ‘Crime’ makes it important to define the boundaries

which construct it; however, doing so is not simply a matter of common sense. There are a number of complex political and economic forces which help to define crime in practice within a specific society. The most commonly accepted definition of crime is ‘an act that is capable of being followed by criminal proceedings’, (Williams, 1955, p.107)

Late submission beyond 14 actual days after the submission date: mark capped at 0%

You will be required to confirm that the work is your own, you will be notified as to how to do this.

Your submission should include an accurate word count and each page must be numbered. Marking will normally take place by appending comments on your work electronically.

Before submission your work must be proof-read and checked for spelling, grammatical and typographical mistakes. Your PC / word processing package should do much of this for you.

• Coursework must be word processed and you must indicate at the end of your coursework the total number of words used.
• You must use Arial font size 12 and your margins should align with the Microsoft Word default settings (top margin and bottom margins 2.54cm and left and right margins 3.17cm).

• YOUR COURSEWORK MUST HAVE THE ELECTRONIC COPY OF THE

COURSEWORK RECEIPT FORM AS ITS FIRST PAGE. This provided for you on Blackboard.

• YOU MUST TYPE IN YOUR P NUMBER but you SHOULD NOT identify yourself in any other way on your work to comply with our anonymous marking regime.
• Your conduct in submitting this form with your work is acceptance of the declarations on the receipt form EVEN WITHOUT ANY SIGNATURE.

Deadlines, Extensions and Deferrals for Coursework

Deadlines

Coursework titles and submission dates are published well in advance of the deadline. To keep to coursework deadlines you must ensure good time management.

Extensions

The Extensions Tutor will exercise all powers given to the Module Leader under the University’s Regulations relating to extensions. The Head of Department or his nominee may consent to an extension if the Extensions Tutor is unavailable.

The Extensions Tutor will approve extensions in exceptional cases only, up to a maximum of 14 days, depending on the circumstances.

If an extension is granted and the Extensions Tutor sets a new deadline, then the coursework mark will not be capped provided you comply with the new deadline. Coursework submitted after the new deadline will be penalised in accordance with the policy for unauthorised late submission of work set out above.

When will an extension be granted? Extensions will be granted in extenuating (exceptional) cases only.

According to the University General Regulations and Procedures Affecting Students , extenuating circumstances are genuine circumstances beyond a student’s control or ability to foresee, and which seriously impair his or her assessed work. See below (under the heading ‘Deferrals’) for examples of acceptable and unacceptable circumstances.

In particular, problems with the use of information technology (loss of data, printer failure, etc) will not be accepted as justification for an extension.

It is essential that good and ‘safe’ habits are adopted. With regard to computing equipment, you should ensure that work is saved appropriately and at regular intervals. Do not leave printing until the last moment.

How to apply for an extension

If you wish to apply for an extension you must do so before the deadline for submission of the coursework and as soon as you are aware that exceptional circumstances exist. Independently verified evidence will normally be required.

You must email the Associate Head, Mr Tim Hillier on THillier@dmu.ac.uk setting out fully your reasons for requesting an extension, together with a copy of your independent evidence (e.g. a doctor’s certificate).

You must then submit the form and associated documents to the SAC, clearly indicating that this refers to a LAW module, and it will then be forwarded to the Extensions Officer for consideration. Your failure to make the application as soon as you are aware of the exceptional circumstances will be a relevant consideration when determining whether to exercise the discretion to grant an extension.

otherwise or extend the term of the deferral following a further application from the student.

When will a deferral be granted? Deferrals will be granted in extenuating (exceptional) cases only.

PLEASE READ THE UNIVERSITY GENERAL REGULATIONS AND

PROCEDURES AFFECTING STUDENTS

According to the Regulations, extenuating circumstances are genuine circumstances

beyond a student’s control or ability to foresee, and which seriously impair his or her assessed work.

In order to show that your circumstances fulfill the definition of 'genuine circumstances', you must demonstrate the following degree of seriousness:

• (^) Serious illness or death of a member of the immediate family - normally a parent or guardian, child, brother, sister, spouse or partner.
• An episode of a serious debilitating illness involving an authorised absence from study of at least three weeks, for example to undertake a course of chemotherapy.
• A serious accident or acute illness occurring immediately before or at the time of the assessment concerned.
• Other unforeseen circumstances, of equivalent weight, that have seriously disrupted the ability to study, for example the need to care for a very ill child over a number of weeks.

The following circumstances are not acceptable:

• Minor illness (such as a cold), manageable illness or indisposition, or injury not falling within the definition of serious debilitating illness or serious accident or acute illness as stated above.
• Circumstances arising from paid employment.
• Circumstances which arise from negligence or carelessness, for example failure by the student to get up on time, failure to attend at the right time or location for an examination.
• Circumstances which could have been avoided by good planning, for example holiday or travel arrangements, including allowance for delays and cancellations.

Please note that the lists above are examples of acceptable and unacceptable circumstances in relation to requests for deferral, but they do not represent an exhaustive definition of such circumstances.

How to apply for a deferral

You must make a request by completing a Deferral of Coursework Form and attaching to it a word-processed document setting out fully your reasons for requesting a deferral together with a copy of your independent evidence (e.g. a doctor’s certificate).

You must then submit the form and associated documents to the SAC.

Deadlines, Extensions and Deferrals for phase tests

For phase tests, such as multiple choice tests, you should submit the Extension to Coursework Application Form and supporting evidence to the SAC, following the same procedure as for coursework (see above).

Depending upon the circumstances, it may be appropriate to request a deferral. You should discuss this with your Module Leader, Personal Tutor or a member of the Programme Management Team to determine whether it is appropriate to request a deferral. If it is appropriate, then you should follow the same procedure as for deferral of examinations (see below).

coursework Length

You should be aware of the distinction between formal word limits and word guidance as to length. You should read your Module Handbook for specific guidance as to whether the coursework in question has a word limit or whether word guidance is given.

Word Limits

If a word limit is set it will be indicated with the coursework details and it must be adhered to. You must indicate at the end of your coursework the total number of words

used. You are not allowed to exceed the word limit and if you do so, the coursework mark will be reduced.

For the purposes of the word limit, the following are not included:

• The coursework question and learning outcomes.
• The bibliography.
• References (case, book, journal, website, lecture materials and other references). If you use footnotes, any information in them (other than references) will be counted.

Appendix A - Grade Descriptors

Faculty of Business & Law

Modules are marked on a range of 0-100%. Mark descriptors are given in the table below.

Mark Range Criteria 90-100% Indicates that no fault can be found with the work other than very minor errors, for example typographical, or perhaps failure to satisfy the most challenging and exacting demands of the assessment. 80-89% Indicates a very high level of understanding evidenced by an ability to engage critically and analytically with source material. Likely to exhibit independent lines of argument. Only minor errors or omissions. 70-79% Judged to be very good, yet not outstanding. May contain minor errors or omissions. A well developed response showing clear knowledge and the ability to interpret and/or apply that knowledge. 60-69% Indicates a sound understanding of basic points and principles but with some failure to express or to apply them properly. Hence the answer is essentially correct, has some errors or omissions, and is not seriously flawed. 50-59% Indicates a more limited understanding of basic points and principles, with significant errors and omissions; however these latter do not cast doubt on the basic level of understanding. 40-49% Indicates questionable understanding of basic points and principles yet sufficient to show that learning outcomes have been achieved at a rudimentary level. 30-39% Indicates an answer that shows only weakly developed elements of understanding and the learning outcomes have been insufficiently realised. 20-29% Very little knowledge has been demonstrated and there is minimally coherent presentation of material or argument. 0-19% Only isolated or no knowledge displayed.

Guidelines for Students

Grade Descriptors

This is a guide to the criteria used by staff in assigning a mark to a piece of work. The final mark awarded to a piece of work will be informed by its predominant character. In each Mark Range the criteria indicate the quality of the work. Within each band it is

possible for a piece of work to have some flaws provided that such weaknesses are sufficiently compensated by the quality of the remainder of the work. These principles apply to all formally assessed work with some differences in emphasis for assessments completed in different circumstances. For example, the standards for English and referencing are likely to be higher for coursework than for examinations (for instance, exam answers would not normally include detailed references to cited works but, where appropriate, the latter should appear in coursework).

Markers are encouraged to use the full range of marks from 0-100%. They will signal first class answers by awarding marks above 70% and marks above 80% will be used to indicate outstanding work. Thus in principle, a technically excellent answer may merit a first class mark overall, even if it is slightly deficient in terms of structure or grammar. Conversely, marks below 40% will be awarded for answers that fail to demonstrate a satisfactory achievement of the assessment’s learning outcomes. For example, an answer that indicates a complete ignorance of the relevant subject content will fail, even if it is presented in the correct format.

Modules generally use a range of assessment methods designed to monitor your progress and to find out whether or not you have achieved the intended module learning outcomes. It would be unusual for all learning outcomes to be tested in a single assessment. Therefore, you should note that the marking criteria will be adapted to suit the requirements of particular assessments. It is your responsibility to ensure that you understand the criteria being applied in any particular assessment.

Feedback:

Feedback on formal assessments should be linked to the marking criteria. This feedback can take different forms, including generic oral feedback to a whole class or individual comment sheets. The aim of the feedback is to help you develop the knowledge and skills needed for successful completion of the module.

Informal feedback from tutors is used to inform you of your progress and takes place through individual meetings and classroom discussions. Peer feedback between students is usually encouraged through group meetings, seminar and class discussions. You should make use of all these different forms of feedback to evaluate your learning and identify further appropriate learning activities.

• F 0A 4 Full title of the journal, magazine or newspapers
• F 0A 4 Full date of publication for newspapers and magazine
• F 0A 4 Volume number of the journal (sometimes you’ll see this as ‘Vol’ or ‘V’
• F 0A 4 Issue number of the journal (often this number is in brackets)
• F 0A 4 Page numbers on which the article/paper is printed
• For electronic resources, also note the following:
• F 0A 4 Full location e.g. http://aviation-safety.net/specials/af4590/timeline.shtml ) although sometimes it is more appropriate to reference simply the main page of the website (www.aviation-safety.net )
• F 0A 4 Date of your access to the resource (accessed on 13/09/13)

Remember that the key point is that the reader can identify clearly the source of your material.

Remember that ALL your sources must be attributed – even if you do not quote directly from a book or article you should still provide a reference if you have used the ideas or information from it in your coursework.

NB This is not only to avoid an allegation of plagiarism it is primarily so that any reader can follow up the point you have made as they wish. THINK – ‘ if I wanted to follow up the point I just made – could I? Using the reference I just typed?’ If the answer is no, look at the reference again, seek help, don’t just leave it!