Undergraduate Module Descriptor

SOC2063: Policy Analysis in Criminology

This module descriptor refers to the 2024/5 academic year.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

Whilst the precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover all or some of the following topics:

  • Introduction
  • Theoretical frameworks on policy change
  • The role of academics in bringing about policy change
  • The role of other actors in bringing about policy change
  • Case studies
  • One of more issues around policy-making in the police (which may include use of force, stop and search, special constabulary, equality and diversity issues and other topics of public policy concern)
  • One or more issues around policy-making with regards to the judiciary, sentencing, legal and due process (which may include the use of magistrates, judges and juries; forms of sentencing and sentencing alternatives, IPP sentences, equality and diversity issues)
  • One or more issues around policy making-in detention (which may include immigration detention, equality and diversity issues, prison monitoring and oversight)
  • One or more policy issues elsewhere in the broader criminology landscape
  • Limits and unintended consequences of policies
  • Planning for and evaluations of policies
  • The ‘impact agenda’

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
221280

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled learning and teaching activity2211 x 2 hour weekly lectures / seminars (or 1 hour lectures + 1 hour seminars)
Guided independent study28Reading for seminars
Guided independent study30Preparation of poster
Guided independent study70Preparation of policy briefing

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).