Crime &
Punishment
Unit 4, Course guide
History Department, Folkestone School for Girls
Unit 4, Crime & Punishment in Britain, c.18301965
Course weighting
Unit / Title
Unit 1 Historical Themes in Breadth (Russia & USA)
Unit 2 British History Depth Study (Changing Role
of Women)
Unit 3 Depth Study & Associated Controversy (Cold
War)
Unit 4 Historical Enquiry (Crime and Punishment)
Weighting
25%
25%
30%
20%
Topic areas




The impact of industrialisation on the crime rate in the early 19 th
century and on the crimes committed
Changes in policing
The successes and failures of different forms of prison for men, women
and juveniles
The changing approaches to punishment and law enforcement over the
period
Structure of the course
Part A (Depth Enquiry)
An in-depth enquiry into the short-term significance (i.e. up to twenty years) of
a key institution, individual case or factor within the period you have studied.
You will explore and evaluate a range of sources that are contemporary to the
period, along with relevant secondary sources.
Part B (Breadth Enquiry)
You will explore the impact of factors within a broader context, for example
the effects of industrialisation on crime and punishment between c.1830 and
1965. You hopefully will be able to demonstrate your ability to conduct an
enquiry by showing your independent use of reading, using a wide variety of
resources. This section does not require you to evaluate any source material.
Examples:
Part A: What impact did the case of the Tolpuddle Martyrs / Christopher Craig
and Derek Bentley have on attitudes towards crime and punishment in the
short-term?
Part B: Assess the significance of individual cases in changing attitudes
towards crime and punishment in the years c.1830-1965
The maximum word length for your coursework is 4000 words, and you
should write roughly 2000 words for each question. There are strict guidelines
on the amount of direction teachers can provide, for example they are not
allowed to mark draft versions of your final coursework. The emphasis is on
independent study and your ability to explore individual pathways of research.
Grade boundaries
Unit grade
Total possible mark 50
A*
92%
A
84%
B
72%
C
62%
D
52%
Coursework requirements
You must include a bibliography with your work – your teacher will give you
guidance on how to set this out, but follow the same format as the
bibliography in this guide
Bibliography
Crime and punishment is a popular topic to study at GCSE and A Level. Once
you have a good overview of the topic, perhaps by reading one of the GCSE
textbooks available, focus your reading on the time frame in question. Don’t
leave your reading until later on in the year – the summer holidays are the
perfect time to tackle as many texts as you can. Remember to keep a detailed
book log, as this will form a key part of your teacher’s assessment of your
work.
GCSE Overview:
Dawson, Ian – ‘Crime and Punishment Through Time’, John Murray, 1999
Wilkes, Aaron – ‘Crime and Punishment Through Time’, Oxford, 2006
A Level Texts
Bentham, J – ‘Panopticon, or The Inspection House’, Dodo Press, 1791
Briggs, J, Harrison C, McInnes A, Vincent D – ‘Crime and Punishment in England –
an introductory history’, Routledge, 1996
Emsley, C – ‘Crime and Society in England, 1750-1900’, Longman, 2005 (4th Edition)
Emsley, C – ‘The Great British Bobby – A History of British Policing from 1829 to the
Present’, Quercus, 2010
Godfrey, Barry and Lawrence, P – ‘Crime and Justice, 1750-1950’, Willan, 2005
Gray, A – ‘Crime and Criminals of Victorian England’, The History Press, 2011
Jones, Steve – ‘The Illustrated Police News: Victorian Court Cases and Sensational
Stories’, Wicked Publication, 2002
May, T – ‘Victorian and Edwardian Prisons’, Shire, 2006
Morris, N – ‘The Oxford History of the Prison’, OUP, 1998
Thomas, D – ‘The Victorian Underworld’ , John Murray, 1998
Whiting, Roger – ‘Crime and Punishment, A Study Across Time’, Stanley Thornes,
1987
Web links
As the course develops we will post more and more resources on the
Department’s website, www.studyhistory.co.uk as well as examples of
students’ work and further weblinks. To begin with explore the following sites:
E
42%
Famous cases
Casebook, Jack the Ripper: http://www.casebook.org/
Famous Trials: http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/ftrials.htm
General
National Archives, Crime and Punishment:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/candp/
Prison reform
Spartacus Schoolnet: http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/REfry.htm
Policing
Home Office: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/
Metropolitan Police Force: http://www.met.police.uk/history/
Courts & sentencing
Old Bailey Online: http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/
Films & TV
There is a wide selection of films available that will help you get a flavour of
the controversy surrounding individual cases. Let us know if there are any
films you know about which aren’t included here, but which other students
may find helpful for the course
‘Dance With a Stranger’ (1985) starring Miranda Richardson as Ruth Ellis
‘Let Him Have It’ (1991) Derek Bentley & Christopher Craig case
‘The Suspicions of Mr Whicher’ (2011) TV adaption of Kate Summerscale’s
bestselling book
‘Wilde’ (1997) starring Stephen Fry in the title role of Oscar Wilde
Museums
The Clink Museum (South Bank, London) – dedicated museum to the history of
crime and punishment on the site of the original Clink prison
Museum of London – Crime & Punishment Gallery (London Wall, City of London) explore conditions in London’s infamous Newgate gaol, the history of policing in
London and modern day crime and punishment
Kent Police Museum (Chatham Dockyards) – exhibits telling the story of policing in
the county
Nottingham Galleries of Justice Museum – based in the city’s old courthouse and
gaol, includes galleries on convict ships and early nineteenth century prisons
Sherlock Holmes Museum (221b Baker Street, London) - Although a fictional
character, the museum contains exhibits and displays that will give you a vivid idea of
the nature of Victorian policing