The Research and Graduate School in the Social Sciences
Module Descriptor
SIT067 Explaining Trends and Patterns of Crime
This module equips students with a critical understanding of evidence relating to the
nature, extent and distribution of crime and criminal victimisation in contemporary
society. It covers topics such as the construction and interpretation of criminal statistics;
fear of crime; crime in relation to age, gender and ethnicity; violent and property crime;
and media representations of crime.
Aims
To provide students with a critical understanding of evidence relating to the nature, extent
and distribution of crime and criminal victimisation in contemporary society.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:
Demonstrate thorough knowledge of key debates within criminology concerning definitions
of crime, ways of measuring crime, relationships between the social characteristics
(especially age, gender, ethnicity and family background) of victims and offenders, the
social environment, and patterns of offending and criminal victimisation.
Understanding:
Demonstrate a critical understanding of sources of knowledge about patterns of crime and
victimisation.
Demonstrate a critical wider study of different explanations of patterns of crime and
victimisation.
Skills:
1. Present clear and informed written arguments in answer to essay questions about
patterns of crime and victimisation.
2. Participate actively in debate and group discussions on explanations of crime patterns.
3. Undertake oral and ICT-informed presentations that are evidence based and
theoretically informed in areas covered by the module.
Methods of Teaching and Learning
Weekly two hour seminars, supported with guided reading.
Assessment
Assessment is a 3,000 word essay. Patterns of crime and their explanation in relation to:
criminal statistics; fear of crime; age, gender and ethnicity; violence and theft; and media
representations
Indicative Reading List
Archer, J. (1994) Male Violence, London: Routledge.
Bowling, B. and Phillips, C. (2002) Racism, Crime and Justice. Harlow: Longman
Brown, S. (1998) Understanding Youth and Crime, Buckingham: Open University Press.
Coleman, C. and Moynihan, J. (1996) Understanding Crime Data. Milton Keynes: Open
University Press.
Croall, H. (1998) Crime and Society in Britain. Harlow: Longman.
Hale, C., Hayward, K., Wahadin, A., and Wincup, E. (2005) (eds) Criminology. Oxford:
Oxford University Press
Maguire, M., Morgan, R. and Reiner, R. (2007) (eds) The Oxford Handbook of Criminology,
Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Muncie, J. and McLaughlin, E. (2002) The Problem of Crime. London: Sage.
Smith, D.J. (1997) ‘Ethnic origins, crime and criminal justice’, In Maguire, M. et al (eds.)
The Oxford Handbook of Criminology (2nd Edition), Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Walklate, S. (2004) Gender, Crime and Criminal Justice, Collumpton: Willan Publishing.