This module is not currently running in 2024 to 2025.
The curriculum principally concerns the historical development of police forces and policing in England and Wales from the mid-18th century to c.1980. The issues of police accountability, finance, operational practices, legitimacy and the politics of policing are all covered in this context. Policing practices are critically examined in relation to gender and/or class and/or ethnicity. Police-community relations, and the role played by the mass media in facilitating them, is also covered. Alternative models of policing are examined, for example those in Ireland and France, together with the impact of all three models upon colonial territories such as West Africa.
Total Contact Hours: 22
Private Study Hours: 128
Total study hours: 150
BA (Hons) Criminal Justice & Criminology, BSc (Hons) Social Sciences (including pathways)
Main assessment methods
Presentation – students must pass this assessment to pass the module: 20%
Written Assignment – 1500 Words: 30%
Examination – 50%
Reassessment methods
100% Coursework
Emsley, Clive, The English Police (2nd ed., 1996)
Emsley, Clive, Gendarmes and the State in Nineteenth-century Europe (1999)
Jackson, Louise A., Women Police : Gender, Welfare & Surveillance in the Twentieth Century (2006)
Taylor, David, The New Police in Nineteenth Century England (1997)
Taylor, David, Policing the Victorian Town (2002)
See the library reading list for this module (Medway)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
8.1 Understand and critically evaluate the social and historical development of police forces with particular reference to the United Kingdom
and other locations from the mid-18th century to c.1980, the historiographical debates concerning this development, and the historical
sources which underpin the study of this development.
8.2 Understand and critically evaluate the social and historical conditions affecting police organization and policing practices in 19th and 20th
century England and Wales and the similarities and differences with other locations , for example Ireland.
8.3 Understand and critically evaluate police-community relations and policing practices and cultures during the given period, particularly in
relation to issues of class and/or gender and/or ethnicity.
The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
9.1 Review, consolidate and apply knowledge and understanding through verbal and written communication.
9.2 Successfully apply critical judgement to problems and debates
9.3. Communicate ideas to audiences of specialists and non-specialists.
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