AD3002 - Crime and Society

What will I learn on this module?

In this module you will be introduced to the concept of crime and its manifestations within society. You will explore the different types of crime that exist and the platforms on which they take place; consider perspectives that help explain why these crimes occur; investigate ways in which we respond as a society to those who commit crime and look at different approaches used to prevent it. You will also explore the different career and study routes that are available to you within the crime / criminal justice sector.

As well as the above core knowledge areas, you will also be introduced to and will develop key skills needed to understand and talk about crime within society and within a Higher Education environment. For example, you will be introduced to different information sources; academic referencing; essay and report writing and presentation skills. All of these will prepare you to progress to the next level of study.

How will I learn on this module?

This module will be delivered via a series of lectures and seminars – made up of a combination of directly taught and interactive activities.

Emphasis will be placed on you developing your foundation knowledge of crime that you can build on and develop as your studies progress.

Where practical, workshop learning activity will also take place outside of the classroom.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

On the module you will be academically supported in many ways. First, the teaching team which includes the module leader as well as other lecturers will be available in person at the workshops to guide you through the module and answer any questions. Second, you will be able to email the teaching team and meet them during set office hours to ask questions. Third, the module has an online electronic learning portal website including a module handbook that guides you through many frequently asked questions.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. To recognise and describe the different types of crime that exist and the platforms through which they take place.
2. To identify factors that help explain which different crimes occur, identify different ways in which society responds to crime, and different ways in which society attempts to prevent crime.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. To demonstrate the study skills needed to study crime and society in higher education.
4. To show an appreciation of the different careers that exist in the crime / criminal justice sector.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. To show an appreciation of the multiple social dynamics and complexities that underpin the study of crime and wider higher education debates.

How will I be assessed?

You will be supported through formative (i.e. informal) tasks within the module workshops to prepare for the summative (i.e. formal) assessment for the module.

There are two parts to the summative assessment on this module:

(i) You will submit a portfolio of small assessment tasks. These tasks will be set at intervals throughout the module. Examples might include an abstract, a crime diary, a court report, a map, writing a newspaper report or a photograph presentation. Some of these tasks will be completed individually and others in a group (MLOs 1-5)

(ii) At the end of the semester you will complete a take home exam. Questions will be published 72 hours before the due date on black board. The exam will be split into 2 sections with 3 questions in each section. You will answer 1 question from each section. Your answers will be 1000 words each.

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

In this module you will be introduced to the concept of crime and its manifestations within society. You will explore the different types of crime that exist and the platforms on which they take place; consider perspectives that help explain why these crimes occur; investigate ways in which we respond as a society to those who commit crime and look at different approaches used to prevent it. You will also explore the different career and study routes that are available to you within the crime / criminal justice sector.

As well as the above core knowledge areas, you will also be introduced to and will develop key skills needed to understand and talk about crime within society and within a Higher Education environment. For example, you will be introduced to different information sources; academic referencing; essay and report writing and presentation skills. All of these will prepare you to progress to the next level of study.

Course info

UCAS Code L3L4

Credits 20

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 1 year Full Time followed by a further 3 years Full Time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad

Department Social Sciences

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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