Module: CRI6106-20 Victims and Victimisation

Level: 6

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Dr Sophie Pike

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

1. Brief description and aims of module: 

Criminology was historically concerned with crime and the offender, however, in the early twentieth century attention started to shift towards the victim.  It is this shift that provides the starting point for this module, which aims to equip you with an in-depth understanding of the key issues relating to victims and victimisation.  Having established the centrality of victims in criminology, you will explore the theoretical perspectives that have emerged to explain and understand experiences of victimisation.  You will study victims’ experiences of the criminal justice system and take a critical look at the measures that have been implemented in response to concerns about the treatment of victims including the development of restorative justice.  You will study different types of victims, including those that have been affected by homicide, media representations of victims and move towards an understanding of why some are considered the ‘ideal victim’ whilst others are not.

2. Outline syllabus: 

The curriculum will be drawn from topics which may include:

●  The changing meaning and status of the victim in criminology.

● Theoretical perspectives

● Victim blaming

● Victimisation rates

● The victim and the criminal justice system

● Law and policies relating to victims

● Re-victimisation   

● Victims of domestic abuse and sexual offences

● Victims of homicide

● Restorative justice. 

● Secondary victims and the impact of crime on the wider community

● Media representation of victims, including the notion of the ‘ideal victim’.

● Case studies of victims of crime

3. Teaching and learning activities: 

This module will be delivered through a combination of lectures and classroom based workshops/seminars.  Lectures will introduce the framework for each topic and seminars will provide an opportunity for these to be explored in more detail through activities and discussion.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: CW

• Description: Essay (3,000 words)

• % Weighting: 60

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: Exam

• Description: Written Exam (2 hours, 2 questions)

• % Weighting: 40