Undergraduate Module Descriptor

SOC3101: Police and Policing

This module descriptor refers to the 2017/8 academic year.

Module Aims

This module offers an opportunity to engage with the key issues, theoretical perspectives and contemporary debates around the police and policing – a far-reaching and highly controversial area of study. The module also aims to provide an insight into the methods commonly used to research this topic, and their strengths, weaknesses and ethical implications. The focus is predominantly on English and Welsh policing, and students will benefit from an enhanced understanding of the institutional arrangements, policies and practices used in the jurisdiction. However material will also be drawn from a range of countries, to allow students to put policing practices into an international context.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. Demonstrate a clear and detailed understanding of differing theoretical approaches to policing
2. Provide evidence of your ability to apply theoretical approaches to contemporary issues in policing.
3. Analyze practical issues and contemporary debates of relevance to policing in England and Wales, synthesizing key findings in the literature.
4. Evaluate the differing research methods commonly used in police research, and their implications.
Discipline-Specific Skills5. Demonstrate a critical understanding of theory - and an ability to apply it to specific topics and questions.
6. Appraise different methods used in the social sciences.
7. Use relevant literature to analyse contemporary issues and debates.
Personal and Key Skills8. Present a clear, evidence-based argument both verbally and in writing.
9. Conduct guided independent study in order to research a specific topic / question.
10. Demonstrate the ability to work independently, within a limited time frame, and without access to external sources, to complete a specified task.