Undergraduate Module Descriptor

SOC3036: International Criminal Justice: Application of Theory to Transnational and International Crime

This module descriptor refers to the 2022/3 academic year.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following themes over one or more weeks:

  • Introduction to international criminal justice and criminological theory 
  • Theoretical frameworks in Criminology. Strain theories, control theories, biological / psychological theories, deterrence and rational choice / routine activities theories, social disorganization theory, social learning theory, labeling and radicalization theories
  • Transnational crime  (e.g. cybercrime, money laundering, environmental crime, etc.)Transnational policing  
  • International crime (war crimes, crimes against humanity, crimes of aggression, and genocide)
  • Explanations of international and transnational Crime
  • Delivering international justice

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
22128

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

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity 2211 x 2-hour lectures/seminars (or 1-hour lecture + 1-hour seminar)
Guided Independent Study24Reading assignments and preparing for the tutorials
Guided Independent Study30Preparing Blog post
Guided Independent Study74Additional reading/research

Online Resources

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

Indicative Reading List

This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.

Basic reading:

Braithwaite, J. (1989).  Criminological Theory and Organizational Crime. Justice Quarterly 6(3): 333-358.

Dammer, H.R., and Albanese, J.S. (2010). Comparative Criminal Justice Systems.

Akers, R.L. (2003). Criminological Theories: Introduction and Evaluation.

Jewkes, Y. and G. Letherby (eds.) 2002. Criminology.

Kramer, R.C. and Michalowski, R.J. (2005). War, Aggression and State Crime: A criminological analysis of the invasion and occupation of Iraq. British Journal of Criminology 45: 446-469.

Liska, A. E. (1990). The Significance of Aggregate Dependent Variables and Contextual Independent Variables for Linking Macro and Micro Theories. Sociology Psychology Quarterly 53: 292-301.

Maguire, M., Morgan, R. and Reiner, R. (eds.) (1997) The Oxford Handbook in Criminology.

Natarajan, M. (ed.). (2011). International Crime and Justice.