Module Directory

This module is designed to offer an introduction to Criminology and Sociology and explore their links with other subject areas. This will encourage interdisciplinary and critical thinking and offer opportunities for seeing connections and considering other perspectives. Such an approach is supported by a ‘colloquium’ approach to the module which means experts will be invited to teach some sessions but the students’ whole experience is overseen and coordinated by a Module Leader.

It begins by looking specifically at Criminology with a view to supporting students to understand the representation of crime in areas such as film, tv and the media. It supports students to understand factors shaping crime and control and ways of thinking about these. The second term focuses on Sociology and provides an introduction to some key issues addressed by sociologists and to some key theories they use to analyse these.

Students will be challenged to consider key issues in contemporary society and Criminology by engaging in inclusive debates during seminar sessions. Students will also gain confidence in their knowledge of Criminology and Sociology and analytical skills by beginning to learn how to read and understand empirical Social Science, and how to use reason and evidence in their writing.

The module does not assume any prior knowledge of any of the topics. It aims to instil the skills and knowledge students will need to begin to understand the world of Criminology and Sociology. Students will also practise key academic skills to prepare them fully for academic life as an undergraduate in the Social Sciences and Humanities.

The aims of this module are:

• To provide an introduction to the main concepts within Criminology and Sociology.


• To encourage students to think critically and carefully about issues in contemporary society through some key social science perspectives.


• To introduce students to the interdisciplinary aspects of Criminology and Sociology.


• To have an understanding of the social contexts of everyday crime and crime control.


• To encourage students to be confident in the expression of their thoughts and ideas in seminars and groups whilst maintaining a compassionate approach to self and others in that context.


• To enable students to become familiar with the academic conventions of university life.


• To understand the basic principles of research in the social sciences.

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

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the main concepts related to criminology and the social context of crime.


2. Apply some key criminological concepts to the study of criminal case studies.


3. Be aware of some of the key debates surrounding sociological topics.


4. Apply and incorporate into assessments, reference to relevant and appropriate research and research methods.


5. Reflect on tasks and learning with a view to understanding self as a learner in Higher Education.


6. Demonstrate an ability to design a PowerPoint poster on a topic related to Criminology or Sociology (or both) and record a short presentation on it.

Skills for your professional life (Transferable Skills)

 By the end of this module, students will have practised the following transferrable skills:

1. Application of theory to practice and real-world problems.


2. Team working through problem-solving and discussion in small groups.


3. Time management and managing workload by keeping up with weekly activities and timely completion of assignments.


4. Resilience and confidence building through practising and applying your critical thinking, debating and analytical skills.


5. Reflective practice by engaging in regular self-evaluations.


6. IT skills through the use of various technologies, such as Moodle and Microsoft Word.

Syllabus

• Becoming Criminologists at Essex - supporting your learning and development.


• Who commits crime and how do we know?


• Who controls crime and how do we know?


• Crime in Film and TV.


• Crime Case Studies Workshop.


• Crime and the media 1.


• Crime and the media 2.


• Gangs.


• Writing Studios – Case Study Assignment Guided Preparation.


• Criminology and Sociology.


• Colchester through the lens of Sociology.


• University of Essex through the lens of Sociology.


• Sociology and Identity: Class, Gender and Ethnicity 1.


• Sociology and Identity: Class, Gender and Ethnicity 2.


• Sociology and Politics.


• Assessment Support: Writing Studio and Tutorials– Guided essay plan.


• Sociology and Sociolinguistics-The impact of what we say and how and where we say it.


• Sociology and the World of Work.


• Society and Global Challenges 1.


• Society and Global Challenges 2.

Sustainable Education

Some topics taught in this module lend themselves to the discussion on sustainability: 

• Society and Global Challenges 1 and 2

This module will be delivered via:

• One 2-hour lecture per week.
• One 2-hour seminar per week.

Teaching and learning on Essex Pathways modules offers students the ability to develop the foundation knowledge, skills, and competencies to study at the undergraduate level, through a curriculum that is purposely designed to provide an exceptional learning experience. All teaching, learning and assessment materials will be available via Moodle in a consistent and user-friendly manner.

Students are set a reading task for each week from one of the set texts specifically chosen for the module. They are also expected to complete detailed lecture notes each week to use as a basis for class discussion in the seminars and tutorials.

Worksheets are provided during the course of the year with relevant information from newspapers and journals although students are encouraged to become independent learners in this regard. Throughout the year, students have the opportunity to present their own work in seminars and tutorials on a non-assessed basis. All students will have access to Academic Support Hours.