School of Sociology and Criminology  
 
 
CRI-10015 Punishment: Beyond the popular imagination  
Co-ordinator: Dr Anette Ballinger    Room: CBB1.003, Tel:33595  
Teaching Team:  
Lecture Time: See Timetable...  
Level: 1 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office:
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for
Criminology Dual Honours (Level 1)
Criminology Major (Level 1)
Criminology Minor (Level 1)
Criminology Single Honours (Level 1)
Sociology Single Honours (Level 1)
Available as a Free Standing Elective
Yes
Prerequisites
NONE

Barred Combinations
NONE

Description

This module will introduce students to a range of debates about the nature of punishment and its representation in popular culture. It will introduce students to a range of formal and informal sanctions before focusing on physical punishments (most notably corporal and capital punishments) and the emergence of the use of imprisonment. It will consider the arguments for and against different forms of punishment, the reasons why so many societies have moved away from the use of corporal and capital punishments and why a number of societies have retained (or in some cases re-introduced) them. It will also examine the nature of contemporary systems of punishment based on imprisonment, the challenges they face and the alternative forms of punishment that have emerged in the second half of the 20th century
Aims
1) To increase students knowledge and understanding of a range of debates about the nature of punishment and its representation in popular culture
2) To develop students appreciation of the variety, form and distribution of criminal sanctions in different cultures and different historical periods.
3) To develop students understanding of the changing nature and scope of punishment
4) To enable students to appreciate the importance of comparative analysis in investigating punishment
Intended Learning Outcomes
Recognise and describe sociological perspectives on punishment will be achieved by assessments: 2, 3
Recognise and describe the relationships between punishment and social divisions based on age, gender, class and ethnicity will be achieved by assessments: 1,2,3
Recognise and illustrate the impact of processes of social change on responses to crime will be achieved by assessments: 2,3
Recognise the importance of comparative analysis in investigating punishment will be achieved by assessments: 1,2,3
Identify different representations of punishment in the media and public discourse will be achieved by assessments: 2,3
Make use of research evidence, other data and some basic criminological theories in developing arguments and making judgements about punishment issues will be achieved by assessments: 2,3
Present written work in criminology in an appropriate scholarly style using the Harvard system of citation and referencing will be achieved by assessments: 1,2,3
Study hours
11 hour Lectures
10 hour tutorials
12 hours presentation preparation
30 hours assessment preparation
30 hours exam preparation
57 Preparation reading
Description of Module Assessment
01: Essay weighted 50%
2000 words: Write an essay from a choice of titles provided by module leader
Formative assessment. The group presentation element of assessment 01 cannot be assessed anonymously.
02: 2 Hour Exam weighted 50%
Unseen Examination
Version: (1.06B) Updated: 03/Mar/2013

This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.