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SP22024: The history and politics of crime and punishment

[Page last updated: 09 August 2024]

Academic Year: 2024/25
Owning Department/School: Department of Social & Policy Sciences
Credits: 5 [equivalent to 10 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 100
Level: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Period:
Semester 1
Assessment Summary: CWES 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • Essay (CWES 100%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: By the end of this unit students will be able to: 1.Discuss and analyse a range of important historical developments and political concepts; 2. Assess how and why historical change and political dynamics affect crime, criminal justice institutions and punishment; 3. Understand debates about the politics of criminal justice, including the importance of political ideologies and political institutions; 4. Use and critically evaluate academic research on the history and politics of crime and punishment.


Synopsis: Explore crime and punishment through from a historical and political perspective. Youll develop an understanding of the history of crime and criminal justice institutions (police, courts, prisons), and examine how they interact with different political ideologies (liberalism, conservatism, socialism, technocracy, populism) and institutions (Parliament, media, independent oversight bodies, pressure groups).

Content: The unit explores crime and punishment through from a historical and political perspective. The unit engages with histories of crime and criminal justice institutions (police, courts, prisons), and examines how they interact with different political ideologies (liberalism, conservatism, socialism, technocracy, populism) and institutions (Parliament, media, independent oversight bodies, pressure groups).

Course availability:

SP22024 is Compulsory on the following courses:

Department of Social & Policy Sciences

SP22024 is Optional on the following courses:

Department of Social & Policy Sciences
  • UHSP-AFB37 : BSc(Hons) Social Sciences (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AKB37 : BSc(Hons) Social Sciences with professional placement (Year 2)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2024/25 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2025/26 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2024/25.
  • Courses and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.