Course Catalogue

View Specification Document | Reading List

This module provides a critical introduction to the interplay between gender, crime and justice.  Drawing particularly on developments within feminist criminology, it examines the differential impact that gender has on the experiences of men and women as victims, offenders, and workers within the criminal justice system. Indicative topics covered include: feminist perspectives in criminology; masculinities and crime; criminal justice responses to rape and domestic abuse; girls, gangs and violence; men as victims; the incarceration of men and women of colour.

10 x 2 hour seminars during a 10 week semester

In order to take this module students will need to have met requirements for entry into the MSc/PGDip/PGCert in one of the three criminology programmes ( i.e. MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice; MRes Criminology; MSc Transnational Crime, Justice and Security). This means achieving a 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification (for example, GPA 3.0 or above) in a relevant subject

There are two summatively assessed assignments for this course. The first, which counts for 30% of the course mark:

- a 1,500-word review of a recent journal article. This provides an opportunity for students to apply and demonstrate succinctly their critical understanding in respect of current ideas, research and literature.

The second which counts for 70% of the course mark is:

- a 3.500 word essay. This requires students to demonstrate their skills of analysis and argumentation in the consideration of a particular issue in greater depth.

This module will aim to:

■ explore the relationship between gender, victimisation and offending

■ examine the role of gender  within the criminal justice system

■ develop a sophisticated understanding of the key theories, concepts, and methodologies employed in feminist analyses of crime and criminal justice

By the end of this course students should be able to:

■ articulate the various ways in which gender impacts on men and women as victims and perpetrators of crime

■ evidence how gendered harms can be reinforced and/or challenged by the criminal justice system

■ critically assess 'gender blind' criminological theory, feminist and gendered perspectives in criminology, and recent policy and practice debates in relation to gender, crime and criminal justice

Students must regularly attend and participate in seminars; undertake all aspects of the course work (including both formative and summative assignments).