Gender, Crime and Justice
Level 6
Introduction
This level 6 unit critically evaluates contemporary understandings of gendered
crimes. Providing an understanding of the theoretical perspectives, definitions
and understandings of the concept of gender and the crimes men and women
are involved in, the unit will seek to assist students’ exploration of current
attitudes towards gender within contemporary society and the criminal justice
system.
The following is an indicative structure for this unit but students are advised
that content may change depending on contemporary issues and interests.
Keep an eye each week on the university VLE.
TERM ONE
Introduction – Gender in the CJS
Making sense of data I: Comparing
Crimes
Making sense of data II: Counting
Victims?
Making sense of data III: Who runs
the CJS?
Feminisms: Liberal and Socialist
Feminisms: Radical and Post-modern
Case Study: Gender in Second Life
Hystories of Misogyny
Making Sense of Theory
How far have we come? Making
Sense of it All.
TERM TWO
Introduction to Term Two
Patriarchy: Historically and Culturally
Contingent?
Thinking About Men: Hegemonic
Masculinity
Doing Gender: Boys being Boys
Theme I: Gender, Crime and Fear
Theme II: Gender, Crime and Risk
Reflecting the Themes
Theme III: Gender, Crime and
Violence
Theme IV: Gender, Crime and Justice
Concluding Session.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. An appreciation of different feminist perspectives and their relevance to
understanding the gendered nature of the crime problem.
2. An appreciation of theories of masculinity and their relevance to
understanding the nature of the crime problem.
3. An understanding of a number of substantive issues as they present
themselves to the criminal justice system and the questions they pose for
what we understand by justice.
4. An understanding of the complex interplay between gender, race and class
as variables that contribute towards experiences of crime and the criminal
justice process.
5. A critical awareness of the ability of criminology as a discipline to further
our understanding of 1 to 4.
Further Outcomes - Skills and Employability
Over the three years as a student you are acquiring and developing a range
of skills, competences and abilities through a variety of experiences in terms
of teaching, learning and assessment. Your development is charted and
detailed as part of the process of Personal Development Planning.
All units in the Programme introduce and/or develop a variety of subject–
related and generic (sometimes called transferable) skills. These skills include
the ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and verbally, the ability to
work as part of a team, the ability to manage your time effectively in order to
get things done and meet deadlines, and so on. These skills and abilities are
important in terms of maximising your success at university but they also
enhance your ‘employability’ i.e. make you more attractive to potential
employers since such skills are required in the workplace.
Of the core skills which you are expected to demonstrate and develop the
following are important within this unit:
Communication skills:
 communication in group work,
 making class presentations,
 research report writing.
Self-management skills:
 planning,
 applying study skills,
 organising your academic work,
 working under pressure,
 time management,
 meeting deadlines.
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Interpersonal skills:
 interaction in group work,
 leadership,
 listening,
 sensitivity.
Academic skills:

literacy and numeracy,

critical and analytical skills,

library skills,

information technology (IT) skills,

problem solving,

creativity,

research skills,

assessment methods.
Assessment
There will be one final exam 50%
There will be one coursework 50%
Coursework will take the form of collaborative writing between you and
students at another university also studying Gender, Crime and Justice. This
will be conducted over a number of weeks and will require your ongoing
engagement.
This unit is supported by a computer-based university VLE. As a student on
this unit you have access to this. From any internet-accessible computer
follow the e-learning link from the university home page.
Assessed Coursework Criteria
The following factors to be of importance in assessing/marking undergraduate
coursework. The requirements for coursework will differ somewhat for each
unit so these guidelines are general. Tutors may well have additional
requirements for coursework: check with your unit tutor for further information.
i) Coursework should address and explore the question, adhering to any
particular requirements (e.g. ‘discuss with reference to examples’).
ii) Coursework should have a clear and coherent structure, as structure is an
integral aspect of constructing an argument.
iii) Coursework is expected to be written clearly and in grammatical English,
with attention to wording, sentence structure, spelling and grammar.
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iv) Most/many coursework assignments in Sociology require discussion of
empirical or substantive material of some type (e.g. historical material; case
studies; background data for fieldwork conducted). Your discussion should
display good knowledge of the topic and should not contain factual errors.
Contradictions within essays are usually an indication of lack of understanding
of the material.
v) Ability to undertake analysis is one of the most important aspects of
coursework. Most assignments require that you link theoretical perspectives
and substantive work in some way.
vi) Referencing should be thorough and accurate. Cite sources with page
numbers for all direct quotations and statistics.
vii) The appropriate length of a bibliography will differ for different levels of
study and (sometimes) by topic of study. As a rough guide for this level, a
good standard would be 10-15 sources, most of these being substantial
published sources (books, book chapters/journal articles).
Weekly Resources
TERM ONE
Lecture Introduction – Gender in the CJS
No Seminar
Readings:
Walklate, S. (2001) Gender, Crime and Criminal Justice. Willan. (Pages 1-15)
Wykes, M. and Welsh, K. (2008) Violence, Gender and Justice. London:
Sage. (Chapter 2)
Lecture Making sense of data I: Comparing Crimes
Seminar Assessing criminal women: Why is it argued that theories of crime
are gender-blind?
Readings:
Broidy and Agnew article (see pdf on VLE)
Chesney-Lind, M., & Pasko, L. (2004) Part 1. Girls, women and crime:
selected readings. London: Sage.
Gelsthorpe, L. (1997) ‘Feminism and Criminology’, in M. Maguire, R. Morgan
and R. Reiner, R. (Eds.) The Oxford Handbook of Criminology (2nd Ed).
(Other editions are available)
Lomboroso, C. & Ferrero, W. (2003) ‘The criminal type in women and its
atavistic origin’, in E. McLaughlin, J. Muncie and G. Hughes (Eds.)
Criminological perspectives: essential readings. Sage, in association with the
Open University (2nd Ed). (Other editions are available)
Wykes, M. and Welsh, K. (2008) Violence, Gender and Justice. London:
Sage. (Chapter 4)
Online Lecture Making sense of data II: Counting Victims?
4
No Seminar
Most materials on VLE
Cook, K. and Jones, H. (2007) Surviving Victimhood: The Impact of Feminist
Campaigns in S. Walklate Handbook on Victims and Victimology. Willan.
Online Lecture Making sense of data III: Who runs the CJS?
No Seminar
All materials on VLE
Lecture Feminism I
Seminar The Gender Agenda – preparation for assessment
Readings:
Alder, C. & Worrall, A. (2004) Girls' Violence: Myths and realities. New
York:State University of New York Press.
McIvor, G. (2003) Women Who Offend. London:Jessica Kingsley. Chapter 2.
Morrissey, B. (2003) When Women Kill: Questions of agency and subjectivity.
London:Routledge. Chapter 2.
Walklate, S. (2001) Gender, Crime and Criminal Justice. Willan. Pages 34 –
40.
PROGRESSION WEEK
Lecture Feminism II
Seminar Gendered Violence – are we all potential victims?
Readings:
Jones, H. and Cook, K. (2008) Rape Crisis: Responding to Sexual Violence.
Lyme Regis: Russell House. (Chapter 1)
Munford, R. (2007) 'Wake Up and Smell the Lipgloss': Gender, Generation
and the (A)politics of Girl Power, in S. Gillis, G. Howie and R. Munford (Eds.)
Third Wave Feminism. Palgrave (pp266-276).
Additional readings on VLE
Online Lecture Case Study: Gender in Second Life
No Seminar
All materials on VLE
Online Lecture Hystories of Misogyny
No Seminar
All materials on VLE
Lecture Making Sense of Theory
Seminar From the local to the global – taking feminism to the world
Readings:
Jones, H. (2006) ‘Working Together: Local and Global Imperatives for
Women in Mongolia’. Asia Europe Journal Vol. 4, (3): 417-430.
Jones, H. and Wachala, K. (2006) ‘Watching Over the Rights of Women’.
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Social Policy and Society. Vol 5, (1): 127-136. (available on VLE as
download)
Wykes, M. and Welsh, K. (2008) Violence, Gender and Justice. London:
Sage. (Chapter 5)
Lecture How far have we come? Making Sense of it All.
Seminar Student led
Readings:
Jones, H. and Cook, K. (2008) Rape Crisis: Responding to Sexual Violence.
Lyme Regis: Russell House. (Chapter 6)
Wykes, M. and Welsh, K. (2008) Violence, Gender and Justice. London:
Sage. (Chapter 9)
TERM TWO
Lecture Introduction to Term Two
No Seminar
Lecture Patriarchy: Historically and Culturally Contingent?
Seminar Who has power and how is it exercised?
Readings:
Walby, S. (1990) Theorizing Patriarchy. London: WileyBlackwell. (Chapter 8).
Connell, R.W. (2002) Gender. London: Polity Press. (Chapter 7)
Wykes, M. and Welsh, K. (2008) Violence, Gender and Justice. London:
Sage. (Chapter 5)
Lecture Thinking About Men: Hegemonic Masculinity
Seminar What is the relationship between masculinity and men’s
involvement in crime?
Readings:
Connell, R.W. (2005) Masculinities. Cambridge: Polity Press. (Chapter 3)
Messerschmidt, J. (2000) Becoming "Real Men" (pdf on VLE)
Online Lecture Doing Gender: Boys being Boys
No Seminar
All materials on VLE
Online Lecture Theme I: Gender, Crime and Fear
No Seminar
Readings:
Chambers, G. & Tombs, J. (1984) The British Crime Survey: Scotland.
London, HMSO.
Farrall, S., Bannister, J., Ditton J. and Gilchrist, E. (2000) ‘Social Psychology
and the Fear of Crime’, British Journal of Criminology Volume 40 (3): 399413.
Lee, M. (2001) ‘The genesis of 'fear of crime'’, Theoretical Criminology
Volume 5 (4): 467-485.
Walklate, S. (2001) Gender, Crime and Criminal Justice. Cullumpton: Willan.
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Chapter 3.
PROGRESSION WEEK
Lecture Theme II: Gender, Crime and Risk
Seminar Campaigning for safety or control?
Readings:
Walklate, S. (2001) Gender, Crime and Criminal Justice. Cullumpton: Willan.
Chapter 3.
Online Lecture Reflecting the Themes
No Seminar
All materials on VLE
Lecture Theme III: Gender, Crime and Violence
Seminar Supporting victims of violence
Readings:
Jones, H. and Cook, K. (2008) Rape Crisis: Responding to Sexual Violence.
Lyme Regis: Russell House. (Chapter 5)
Jones, H. and Powell, J. (2006) ‘Old Age, Vulnerability and Sexual Violence:
Implications for Knowledge and Practice’. International Nursing Review. Issue
53 (3): 211-216.
Walklate, S. (2001) Gender, Crime and Criminal Justice. Cullumpton: Willan.
Chapter 5.
Wykes, M. and Welsh, K. (2008) Violence, Gender and Justice. London:
Sage. (Chapter 5)
Lecture Theme IV: Gender, Crime and Justice
Seminar The veil of ignorance: constructing different forms of justice
Readings:
Jones, H. (2006) ‘Towards Rights: Useful Sources on Violence Against
Women’. Social Policy and Society. Vol 5, (1): 161-165.
Walklate, S. (2001) Gender, Crime and Criminal Justice. Cullumpton: Willan.
Chapter 6.
Wykes, M. and Welsh, K. (2008) Violence, Gender and Justice. London:
Sage. (Chapter 7)
Final session Concluding Session.
Materials available on VLE
Unit Leader available for drop-in
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Course Reading and Related Sources
A number of academic journals are available in the library, and offer a useful
source of up to date information in relevant topic areas. It is advisable to
spend some time browsing through journals and checking new editions as
and when they are published.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS
Wykes, M. and Welsh, K. (2008) Violence, Gender and Justice. London:
Sage.
Walklate, S. (2000) Gender, Crime and Criminal Justice. Cullumpton: Willan
Publishing.
FULL READING LIST
Alder, C. & Worrall, A. (2004) Girls’ Violence: Myths and realities. New York:
State University of New York Press.
Agozino B, (1997) Black Women And The Criminal Justice System.
Aldershot: Ashgate.
Brown, S. (2003) Crime and Law in Media Culture. Buckingham: Open
University Press.
Carlen, P. (2002) Women and punishment: the struggle for justice. Devon:
Willan.
Carlen, P. & Worrall, A. (2004) Analysing women's imprisonment. Devon:
Willan.
Carlen, P. & Worrall, A. (1989) Gender, Crime and Justice. Milton Keynes:
Open Univesity Press.
Carter, C. & Weaver, C.K. (2003) Violence and the Media. Buckingham:
Open University Press.
Carter, C. & Steinr, L. (Eds) (2004) Critical Readings: Media and Gender.
Maidenhead: Open University Press.
Chesney-Lind, M., & Pasko, L. (2003) The female offender: girls, women and
crime. London: Sage.
Chesney-Lind, M., & Pasko, L. (2004) Girls, women and crime: selected
readings. London: Sage.
Chigwada-Bailey, R. (2003) Black Women’s Experiences of Criminal Justice:
Race, Gender and Crime – a Discourse on Disadvantage. Winchester:
Waterside Press.
Coates, J. (2003) Men talk: stories in the making of masculinities. Oxford:
Blackwell.
Collier, R (1998) Masculinities, Crime and Criminology. London: Sage.
Connell, R. W. (1995) Masculinities. Oxford: Polity.
Cook, K. and Jones, H. (2007) Surviving Victimhood: The Impact of Feminist
Campaigns in S. Walklate Handbook on Victims and Victimology. Willan.
Daly, K. & Maher, L. (1998) Criminology at the Crossroads: Feminist
Readings in Crime and Justice. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
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Davies, P. M., Prancis, P. & Greer, C. (Eds.) (2007) Victims, Crime and
Society. London: Sage.
Dobash, R.E., Dobash, R.P. and Noaks, L. (1995) Gender and Crime. Cardiff:
University of Wales Press.
Heidensohn, F. (1996) Women and Crime. Hampshire: MacMillan Press
Limited.
Heidensohn, F. (Ed.) (2006) Gender and Justice: New concepts and
approaches. Devon: Willan Publishing.
Hester, M., Kelly, L. & Radford, J. (1996) Women, Violence and Male Power.
Buckingham: Open University Press.
Jefferson, T. & Carlen, P. (eds) (1996) Masculinities, Social Relations and
Crime.
Jones, H. (2006) ‘Towards Rights: Useful Sources on Violence Against
Women’. Social Policy and Society. Vol 5, (1): 161-165.
Jones, H. and Cook, K. (2008) Rape Crisis: Responding to Sexual Violence.
Lyme Regis: Russell House.
Jones, H. and Powell, J. (2006) ‘Old Age, Vulnerability and Sexual Violence:
Implications for Knowledge and Practice’. International Nursing Review. Issue
53 (3): 211-216.
Jones, H. and Wachala, K. (2006) ‘Watching Over the Rights of Women’.
Social Policy and Society. Vol 5, (1): 127-136.
King, R. D. & Wincup, E. (2000) Doing Research on Crime and Justice.
Oxford: Oxford University Press.
McIvor, G. (Ed.). (2003) Women Who Offend. London: Jessica Kingsley.
Messerschmidt, J. (1993) Masculinities and Crime. London: Sage.
Messerschmidt, J. (1997) Crime as Structured Action. London: Sage.
Mezey, G.C. & King, M. B. (2000) Male Victims of Sexual Assault. Oxford:
Oxford University Press.
Monzini, P. (2005) Sex Traffic: Prostitution, Crime and Exploitation. London:
Zed Books.
Mooney, J. (2000) Gender, violence and the social order. Palgrave
MacMillan.
Morash, M. (2005) Understanding Gender, Crime and Justice. London:Sage.
Naffine, N. (1997) Feminism and Criminology. London: Sage.
Newburn, T. & Stanko, E. (1994) Just Boys Doing Business. London:
Routledge.
Renzetti, C. M., Goodstein, L. & Miller, S.L. (2006) Rethinking Gender, Crime
and Justice: Feminist Readings. Los Angeles: Roxbury Publishing Company.
Skinner, T. et. Al. (2004) Researching Gender and Violence. Devon: Willan.
Wykes, M. and Welsh, K. (2008) Violence, Gender and Justice. London:
Sage.
Walklate, S. (2000) Gender, Crime and Criminal Justice. Cullumpton: Willan
Publishing.
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Also see
British Journal of Criminology. Special Issue Vol. 36 no.3
Journal of Gender Studies
The Journal of Gender Studies is an interdisciplinary and multicultural journal
which publishes articles relating to gender from a feminist perspective
covering a wide range of subject areas relating to femininity and masculinity
and to the social constructions of relationships between men and women.
Men and Masculinities
Offering high-quality, interdisciplinary research in the emerging field of men
and masculinities studies, gender studies, feminist theory, queer theory, and
multiculturalism.
Feminist Criminology
Highlighting the gendered nature of crime, Feminist Criminology offers a
feminist critique of criminology in a global perspective.
Women & Criminal Justice
Women & Criminal Justice is devoted to interdisciplinary and international
research and practice dealing with a broad array of women’s unique dealings
in criminal justice.
Feminist Review
Feminist Review is an interdisciplinary publication, playing a key role in
interrogating and re-shaping feminisms in changing political landscapes. The
journal combines the intersectionality of ethnicity, gender, race, class, and
sexuality with a socialist concern for the socio-economic realities of women’s
lives.
Feminist Studies
Committed to engaging in interdisciplinary global feminist dialogue, Feminist
Studies publishes work by both academics and activists on a diverse array of
topics.
Feminist Theory
Feminist Theory is an international interdisciplinary journal that provides a
forum for critical analysis and constructive debate within feminism, reflecting
the diversity within feminism and the full range of feminist political and
theoretical stances.
Violence Against Women
Violence Against Women focuses on gender-based violence against women
in all forms and across cultural and national boundaries, publishing a wide
range of articles, including empirical research, activist/advocate notes, poetry,
and legal news.
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