This module will examine the ways in which violence is receiving increasing attention within the social sciences, and will introduce the major theoretical and research themes involved in the analysis of violence. It will examine data on the prevalence, nature and effects of violent crime, and will consider issues of violence, aggression and masculinity. This will be done with particular reference to examples, such as racist crime, homophobic crime and domestic violence. The module will approach violence from interpersonal and societal perspectives and will include consideration of collective violence and genocide. It will further examine solutions to solutions to violence and conflict resolution, the effects of intervention strategies and non-juridical responses to violence.
Total contact hours: 22
Private study hours: 128
Total study hours: 150
Sociology BA
Sociology BA joint honours
Criminology BA
Criminology and Social Policy BA
Main assessment methods
Essay - 50%
Examination – 50%.
Reassessment methods
100% coursework.
Collins, R. (2008) Violence – a Microsociological Theory, Princeton: Princeton University Press
Kilby, J. and Ray, L. J. eds (2015) Violence and Society - Towards a New Sociology Sociological Review Monograph, Sociological Review 16 (3)
Lee, R. M. and Stanko, B. eds, (2003) Researching Violence, London: Routledge
Pinker, S. (2012) The Angels of Our Better Nature, London: Allen Lane
Ray, L. J. (2011) Violence and Society, London: Sage
Scheper-Hughes, N. and Bourgeois, P. eds (2004) Violence in War and Peace, Oxford: Blackwell
Steger, M. B. and Lind, N. S. eds (1999) Violence and its Alternatives – an Interdisciplinary Reader, London: Macmillan
Wieviorka, M. (2009) Violence [a new approach], London: Sage
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
8.1 Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the relevance of violence to criminological analysis
8.2 Demonstrate a critical knowledge of key concepts, debates and theoretical approaches to criminology and sociology and their relationship
to the study of violence
8.3 Critically evaluate major theoretical and research themes involved in the analysis of violence
8.4 Demonstrate an appreciation of the complexity and diversity of violent behaviour
The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
9.1 Effectively communicate theoretical and empirical material and arguments
9.2 Organise complex information in a clear and coherent manner
9.3 Synthesise items of knowledge from different schools and disciplines of enquiry
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