The module is intended to increase awareness of continuity and change in patterns and perceptions of crime and the responses to it by the legal system and other agencies over the period from 1750 to the present day.
Students will study historical perspectives on the history of crime and punishment – Whig, Marxist, revisionist etc.
They will have a chance to undertake critical evaluation of the sources of crime history and learn about change and continuity in the criminal justice system over the period covered.
Total contact hours: 22
Private study hours: 128
Total study hours: 150
Runs every Year
Main assessment methods
Coursework - assignment 1 (1500 words) – 50%
Coursework - assignment 2 (1500 words) – 50%
Reassessment methods
100% coursework
Emsley, Clive (2010) Crime and Society in England 1750-1900 (4th edition) Harlow: Longman
Godfrey and Lawrence (2014, second edition) Crime and Justice 1750-1900 London: Routledge
Gray, Drew D.(2016) Crime, Policing and Punishment in England, 1660-1914 London: Bloomsbury
Knepper, Paul (2016) Writing the History of Crime (Bloomsbury Academic
See the library reading list for this module (Medway)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes are as follows. On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1.Demonstrate awareness of continuity and change in patterns and perceptions of crime and the responses to it by the legal system and other agencies over the period from 1750-1900 to the present day.
2.Demonstrate understanding of the relationship between the principles underlying criminal justice and the policies adopted by the state during the given period.
3.Demonstrate critical understanding of the origins and historical development of criminal justice policy and institutions.
4.Possess awareness of the role played by the voluntary sector, pressure groups and political influences in shaping official responses to crime.
The intended generic learning outcomes are as follows. On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1.Demonstrate enhanced skills in communication and in critical evaluation.
2.Demonstrate enhanced research skills
3.Successfully apply critical judgement to problems and debates through written assignments and seminar work
4.Independently obtain a range of suitable library and web-based resources for second year study and use available evidence to construct an argument
5.Evaluate and analyse different forms of data, including statistics
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