The Politics of Criminalisation (Spring) (L3124B)
The Politics of Criminalisation (Spring)
Module L3124B
Module details for 2025/26.
15 credits
FHEQ Level 5
Module Outline
This module looks at the political dynamics of policy formation and the enactment of legislation in the field of law and order. We begin by asking when criminalization is an appropriate response to undesirable behaviour in society before moving on to examine the process of policy formation and legislating. Where we explore the role of victims, the media, and other policy entrepreneurs such as NGOs in influencing government programmes and ultimately bringing about changes in the law. The course will include a number of case studies but allow us to explore these dynamics an interrogate the role of political ideology in taking some proposals forward and abandoning others.
Full Module Description
This module looks at the political dynamics of policy formation and the enactment of legislation in the field of law and order. We begin by asking when criminalization is an appropriate response to undesirable behaviour in society before moving on to examine the process of policy formation and legislating. Where we explore the role of victims, the media, and other policy entrepreneurs such as NGOs in influencing government programmes and ultimately bringing about changes in the law. The course will include a number of case studies but allow us to explore these dynamics an interrogate the role of political ideology in taking some proposals forward and abandoning others.
Module learning outcomes
Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the process of developing policy and legislation in the field of law and order
Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of theories of criminalisation and be able to apply these to empirical examples
Analyse the relationship between political ideology and law and order policy
Demonstrate the ability to independently select, define, research, and construct a case study through a critical engagement with appropriate sources
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Portfolio (3000 words) | Semester 2 Assessment Week 1 Mon 16:00 | 100.00% |
Timing
Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.
Weighting
Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.
| Term | Method | Duration | Week pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Semester | Lecture | 1 hour | 11111110110 |
| Spring Semester | Seminar | 1 hour | 11111110110 |
| Spring Semester | Workshop | 1 hour | 00000001001 |
How to read the week pattern
The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.
Dr Estelle Marks
Convenor
/profiles/621237
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