Undergraduate Module Descriptor

SOC3121: Policy Analysis in Criminology

This module descriptor refers to the 2022/3 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).

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
Rehearse poster presentation 5 minutes3, 5 - 7Peer feedback

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
1000

...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
Poster presentation305 minutes + 1 slide3, 5 - 7Written
Policy briefing702000 words1 -5, 8Written
0
0
0
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
Poster presentationPoster presentation3, 5 - 7August/September reassessment period
Policy briefingPolicy briefing (2000 words)1 -5, 8August/September reassessment period

Re-assessment notes

Assessment for this module comprises a 5 minute poster presentation to the seminar group and a 4000 word briefing.  As re-assessment usually occurs over the summer it will not be possible for candidates to present to their seminar group.  Therefore, they will be asked to record themselves giving their presentation and submit this to the module convenor for assessment.

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.

McDowell, M.G. & Fernandez, L.A. (2018) ‘Disband, Disempower, and Disarm’: Amplifying the Theory and Practice of Police Abolition’ Critical Criminology 26: 373

Martin Innes, A ‘Mirror’ and a ‘Motor’: Researching and Reforming Policing in an Age of Austerity, Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice, Volume 4, Issue 2, 2010, Pages 127–134

Wolf, B and De Angelis, J (2011) ‘Tasers, Accountability, and Less Lethal Force: Keying in on the Contentious Construction of Police Electroshock Weapons’ International Journal of Criminology and Sociological Theory 4 (2): 657-673