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SP52086: Criminological ethnography

[Page last updated: 15 August 2024]

Academic Year: 2024/25
Owning Department/School: Department of Social & Policy Sciences
Credits: 10 [equivalent to 20 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 200
Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Period:
Semester 2
Assessment Summary: CWRA 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • Coursework (CWRA 100%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: Demonstrate and apply knowledge of core methodological and analytical approaches in Criminology

Demonstrate an understanding of both research integrity and what constitutes ethical research, including researcher and participant wellbeing

Demonstrate the ability to conduct and present independent research.


Synopsis: Explore the role, purpose and practicalities of conducting ethnography within the field of criminology.

Through detailed reading of several classic texts, you will consider how this methodological tradition has developed, and debate pertinent issues such as ethics and knowledge production. You will develop the skills and knowledge to conduct your own fieldwork and produce your own fieldnotes.

Content: Topics covered on the unit will include:
  • What is criminological ethnography?
  • Why conduct ethnography as a criminologist?
  • Knowledge production and ethnography
  • Ethical issues in criminological ethnography
  • Criminological ethnography case studies (e.g. Drugs, Prison, Policing)
  • Doing criminological fieldwork
  • Reading and writing criminological ethnography
  • Evaluating criminological ethnography


Course availability:

SP52086 is Compulsory on the following courses:

Department of Social & Policy Sciences

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.
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