Undergraduate Module Descriptor

SOC2124: Surveillance, Security and the State

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Aims

The aim of this module is to introduce students to new developments in criminological practices (strategic and technological) as well as applying new methods for adapting research to this evolving environment.  The module will enable students to learn about the socio-legal landscape of criminological practices with a focus on the implications of new technologies for human rights.

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. Engage in understanding contemporary human rights controversies in criminology
2. Understand and apply appropriate theories and concepts to an analysis of human rights within criminological practices
Discipline-Specific Skills3. Demonstrate an understanding of human rights implications of new practices and technologies in policing and security
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the legislative and framework for the use of new technologies in policing and security
5. Apply and evaluate a range of methods to analyse new criminological practices
Personal and Key Skills6. Demonstrate collaborative skills, in presentations and group discussions of course materials
7. Critically evaluate own work and the work of others
8. Present a clear and effective argument, in oral and written form
9. Work independently, within a set time frame, to complete an analytical task

How this Module is Assessed

In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.

Formative Assessment

A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Essay plan (students will submit plan of summative essay)500 words1,2,3,4,7,9Written and oral (peer review with guidance)

Summative Assessment

A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
10000

...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Blog post (web page)301000 words1-9Oral
Essay703000 words1-5,7-9Written
0

Re-assessment

Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Blog post (web page)Blog post (web page) 30% 1000 words1-9August/September Reassessment Period
EssayEssay 70% 3000 words1-5,7-9August/September Reassessment Period