School of Sociology and Criminology  
 
 
CRI-30042 Gender, History and Punishment 1486-1955  
Co-ordinator: Dr Anette Ballinger    Room: CBB1.003, Tel:33595  
Teaching Team: Ms Jeanette  McCormick, Ms Deborah  Tagg, Dr Anette Ballinger, Dr Tony  Kearon, Miss Jo-Anne  Watts, Miss Claire  Lewendon, Mrs Angela  Joines, Mrs Catherine  Crutchley  
Lecture Time: See Timetable...  
Level: 3 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office:
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for

Criminology Dual Honours (Level 3)
Criminology Major (Level 3)
Criminology Minor (Level 3)
Criminology Single Honours (Level 3)

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Yes

Barred Combinations

None

Prerequisites

None

Description

This module is designed to allow students to gain a comprehensive and critical understanding of the gendered nature of criminal justice throughout history. As we embark upon this historical journey through the criminal justice system, links will also be made with the gendered nature of the modern system of punishment, as well as the wider culture within which it is situated. In this way, students will gain an understanding of the importance of history in tems of its influence on modern penal practices - both formal and informal.

While students taking this module will be presented with an overview of traditional (and hence andro-centric) theories on punishment, the module is designed to challenge such theories by employing a feminist perspective on punishment. This aim will be achieved - not only by demonstrating the contribution feminism has made to the development of alternative theories of punishment - but also by utilising feminist theory and method to critically assess conventional, gender-blind theoretical perspectives.

This critical assessment and evaluation will lead to a demonstration that there is no one 'true' account of history, that history is always a matter of interpretation and hence is always a potential site of contestation.


Aims

To examine both traditional perspectives on punishment as well as more recently developed feminist perspectives which focus on gender differentiation and relations of power.

To analyse punishment from competing intellectual perspectives thus encouraging identification and understanding of different value positions.

To apply theoretical analysis to case-studies, thus demonstrating the principles involved in theorising formal as well as informal punishment throughout the last 500 years in England and Wales.

To make links throughout the module which demonstrate the relationship between theory and practice, and thus the impact that theory has on criminal justice policy with regard to punishment.

To provide students who have taken full advantage of all aspects of the module with the necessary skills to become well informed individuals and intellectually equipped to pursue higher academic qualifications, as well as being well prepared to make important contributions to the labour market.




Intended Learning Outcomes

Identify the inadequacy of traditional theories of punishment with respect to gender will be achieved by assessments: 1 and 2
Discuss and evaluate the contribution that feminist theory has made to the subject of punishment will be achieved by assessments: 1 and 2
Critically analyse the relationship between power, knowledge and 'truth' will be achieved by assessments: 1 and 2
Critically analyse the impact of gender on institutional regimes will be achieved by assessments: 1 and 2
Explain the relationship between the theory and practice of punishment will be achieved by assessments: 1 and 2


Study hours

20 hours contact - 10 lectures &10 seminars in two hour slots
40 hours seminar preparation
30 hours independent study
60 hours assessment preparation


Description of Module Assessment

01: Essay weighted 50%
Students will be assessed on the first half of the module via a 2500 word essay.
Students will select an essay from a provided list of essay titles

02: 2 Hour Exam weighted 50%
Students will be assessed on the second half of the module via a two hour exam./
A two hour unseen exam. Students will be asked to answer 2 questions.


Version: (1.06B) Updated: 03/Oct/2013

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