Sociology of Crime

• Credit value: 30 credits at Level 4
• Assessment: a 500-word workbook (30%) and 1000-word workbook (70%)

This module offers an introduction to sociological approaches to crime and criminal justice, from a historical and contemporary perspective. It considers the origins of criminology, the social context of crime and the sociology of policing, punishment and prisons. It provides an overview of a wide range of sociological theories and perspectives that seek to make sense of the 'why' and 'how' of crime.

In doing so, the course provides you with a sociological foundation for studying crime and justice, in an analytical, theoretical and critical manner, and enables you to develop the skills to explain crime and punishment in modern societies.