Module Directory

This module offers students an opportunity to explore the theoretical debates that have developed within the field of criminology and consider their significance within contemporary social concerns about crime and deviance. The module examines key theories and trends in criminological thought, including the historical development of criminology and some of the more recent critiques.

The themes of causation, criminalisation, correction and control run throughout the theoretical perspectives and are considered alongside some specific examples of criminal activity and organisation. Such examples range from the individually-experienced through the structural inequalities relevant to understanding gender, ethnicity and crime, and global dimensions of crime and control.

The aims of this module are:

•  to explore the theoretical debates that have developed within the field of criminology and consider their significance within contemporary social concerns about crime and deviance.


• to examine key theories and trends in criminological thought, including the historical development of criminology and some of the more recent critiques.


• to explore the themes of causation, criminalisation, correction and control run throughout the theoretical perspectives and are considered alongside some specific examples of criminal activity and organisation. Such examples range from the individually-experienced through the structural inequalities relevant to understanding gender, ethnicity and crime, and global dimensions of crime and control.

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:

1. understand key social ways of thinking critically about crime, deviance and control,


2. demonstrate a good understanding of some of the major criminological studies,


3. scrutinise broader criminological ‘texts’ (such as film, TV, press, internet) and make sense of them through the theories discussed,


4. be a confident and critical user of academic research tools such as specialist journals, the internet and secondary data.

This module is a compulsory second year component for all criminology students and it is available as an option to other second and third year sociology students and as an outside option if space allows.

Most modules in Sociology are divided into lectures of around 50 minutes and a class of around 50 minutes. Some are taught as a 2hr seminar, and others via a 50-minute lecture and 2-hr lab.

Please note that you should be spending up to eight hours per week undertaking your own private study (reading, preparing for classes or assignments, etc.) on each of your modules (e.g. 32 hours in total for four 30-credit modules).

The lectures provide an overview of the substantive debates around the topic of the week, while the classes will give you the opportunity to reflect on your learning and actively engage with your peers to develop your understanding further.

The lecture and classes will take place face-to-face. You are strongly encouraged to attend the classes as they provide an opportunity to talk with your class teacher and other students. The classes will be captured and available via Listen Again. However, if you want to gain the most you can from these classes it is very important that you attend and engage. Please note that the recording of classes is at the discretion of the teacher.