SO255-15 Advanced theory in Criminology and Social Justice

Advanced Theory in Criminology and Social Justice aims to critically engage students with core theories and major advances in criminological theory. Key issues and advances within core areas of theoretical criminology will be explored, including: classicism and neo-classicism; feminist criminology; abolitionism, post-colonial criminology and queer criminology, for example.

The course will explore the theoretical resources of criminology in order to think about the discipline not simply a practical activity (as something concerned with the process or administration of criminal justice) but as an activity comprising a distinct epistemology.

The module covers the major theoretical developments within criminology and asks how criminological theory helps us to elucidate and interrogate criminal justice problems such as: punishment, incarceration, social control and social justice Our concerns will be linked to existential and ethical questions about: crime, justice, poverty, welfare and social activism.

Finally, the course will address the extent to which it is possible to create and sustain a ‘progressive’ agenda for the future of criminal justice. In order to capture the realities of imprisonment, the socio-construction of deviance we will look films such as Sur le Troits, H3, 3000 Nights and the writings of Jane Addams, John Dewey, Jack London, Upton Sinclair, George Orwell, Barbara Harlow, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Emma Goldman, Charles Dickens and others.

We will be particularly interested in the movement of ideas across the Atlantic to the present culture wars around crime, poverty, immigration, detention, refugees and role of the state.

Students will develop their ability to understand and evaluate criminological theoretical perspectives in relation to social justice, law and human rights discourse

Key Information

Optional Module

15 CATS

Summative Assessment: 3000 word essay (100%)

Teaching: 1 hour lecture and 1 hour seminar per week

Module Convenor: Azrini WahidinLink opens in a new window