Module: CRI5102-20 Exploring Violence

Level: 5

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Sophie Pike

Module Tutor Contact Details: s.pike@bathspa.ac.uk

1.Brief description and aims of module:

This module adopts a multi-disciplinary approach to understanding violence considering the contribution to understanding violence from a range of research fields including criminology, sociology, psychology, economics, biology, cultural studies and law (amongst others). It will offer students a comprehensive overview of the aetiology of violence, representations of violence and violent offenders in the media and popular culture. You will also examine the response to violence and violent crime in law enforcement and criminal justice, considering how violent offenders are policed, managed, sentenced, treated and rehabilitated. The module invites students to investigate different types of violence (e.g. interpersonal violence and domestic abuse, terrorism, gang violence, hate crime and racially motivated offending) along with assessment of the intersection of representations of violence, policy and public opinion. This module will also enable you to develop key transferable and employability skills such as self-management, team-working, problem-solving, communication, literacy and IT skills.

2.Outline syllabus:

The curriculum will be drawn from topics which may include:

• The nature, definition and language of violence

• Types of violence and the prevalence of violent crime

• Multi-disciplinary examination of the aetiology of violence

• The relationship between violence and social divisions

• Representation of violence in media and literature

• Treatment and rehabilitation of violent offenders

• Violence in the context of risk management and public protection

3.Teaching and learning activities:

This module will be delivered through a combination of lectures and seminars. Lectures will introduce the framework for each topic including key theories, issues and debates. This will be examined in more detail through seminar discussion and activities.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Essay (3,000 words)

• % Weighting: 60

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Group poster presentation (2,000 words)

• % Weighting: 40