LW0CAS: Crime and Society

Module code: LW0CAS

Module provider: School of Law

Credits: 20

Level: F

When you’ll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Jo Phoenix , email: j.b.m.phoenix@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s): IN THE SAME YEAR AS TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE LW0JS (Compulsory)

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 11 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This course aims to help students develop a sociological understanding of the ways that crime functions in society. As such, it focuses on the meanings of crime and offending and how ideas about crime and offending have been shaped, constructed, and theorized about.

Specific topics may change on a yearly basis.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the competing and contested definitions of crime.
2. Apply definitions of crime to real world examples.
3. Formulate criminological arguments clearly and succinctly and draw appropriate conclusions.
4. Evaluate the awareness of the changing nature of crime in society.

Module content

Argument and opinion in crime and society.  Representation. Moral Panics.  What is Crime? Criminality, Stigma and Labelling.  Social Constructionism.  The Representation and Measurement of Crime.  Social inequality and crime.  Gender and crime.  Race, ethnicity and crime.  Victims and Victimisation.  Crimes of the Powerful. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

There will be a 2-hour lecture per week per subject (total 22 hours), ten 2-hour workshops weekly (total 20 hours).  

In the workshops there will be a focus on formative activities (for example including debates and group presentations) which the students will need to prepare in advance and bring to the relevant workshop. We will be encouraging questions and peer review from the observing students. There is an expectation of whole-class participation.  

Study hours

At least 42 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.