CM1S019 - Diversity, Crime and Justice 01 Sep 2024 - 31 Aug 2030 | Version 2

Associated Module Information

Module Code: CM1S019
Module Title: Diversity, Crime and Justice
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Policing and Criminology
Faculty Sub Group: Criminology
Module Leader: Danielle Sheppard
Module Team: Daniel Welch, Helen Martin, Louise McGibbon
First Intended Intake: SEP 0024 Final Year of Intake: 2029
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 4
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes:
HECOS Code Weighting:

Document Version Information

Version 2
Valid From 01 Sep 2024
Valid To 31 Aug 2030

Module Aims

This module aims to discuss how opportunities, advantages, and disadvantages shape the administration of crime governance in England and Wales. This module will aim to acquaint students with essential theories that offer diverse explanations for inequalities related to crime. For example, by investigating groups that are more or less likely to face criminalisation, whilst exploring inequalities that exist within criminal justice policies and processes. The module will delve into social class, geographic location, economic disparities, gender, 'race'/ethnicity, and other dimensions of difference such as sexuality, disability, and age. By delving into the connections between these differences, the module seeks to expose students to systematic biases and societal structures what contribute to inequalities in communities and the Justice System. 

Content Summary

Within this module student will engage with some internationally and nationally recognised literature, race theories, feminist perspectives, critical criminology, masculinities theories. The module will delve into the complexities of crime, sentencing, offending patterns, victimisation, and justice, considering factors such as 'race,' class, age, sexuality, place, migration, and some important historical perspectives. The module will integrate insights from Criminal Justice and Inequality to provide students with an understanding of how opportunity, advantage, and disadvantage shape the governance of crime in England and Wales. Exploring key social factors, some of which are included within the protected characteristics specified in the Equality Act (2010), this module will explore how belonging to particular social groups can impact upon involvement in crime, criminalisation, marginalisation and victimisation. Drawing upon contemporary issues, research, policy and practice in the field of criminal justice both in the UK and worldwide, the following social factors and their relationship with crime and justice will be explored: age, disability, gender, gender identity, race/ethnicity, religion and sexuality. The module will examine a range of issues affecting equality and the criminal justice system confronting the tensions that different individuals encounter when coming into contact with it.

·       Introduction to key concepts. 

·       Overview of differences and equality within the criminal justice system, with a specific focus on gender, sexuality, social class, geographic location, economic disparities, 'race'/ethnicity, disability, and age. 

·       Analysis of the influence of economy, culture, and class on the criminal justice system. 

·       Examination of coloniality and power dynamics. 

·       contemporary controversies and the policing of powerful entities. 

·       Examination of foundational theories shaping the discourse. 

·       Socio-historical contexts, i.,e exploration of the historical evolution of sociological theories. 

·       Power dynamics and justice. 

·       Critical examination of the relationship between power, legacy, and crime control. 

·       Discussion on the impact of inequality on justice processes. 

·       Patterns and Representations of Offenders and Victims. 

·       Analysis of media portrayals and societal perceptions influencing justice outcomes. 

·       Critical assessment of media portrayals and societal perceptions. 

·       How professionals can perpetuate existing inequalities within the CJS. 

Exploration of how opportunity, advantage, and disadvantage shape crime governance.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Practical classes and workshops 36
Independent Study 84
Directed Study 80
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Develop an understanding of how the intersections of community face inequalities within the criminal justice system.? Students will demonstrate a critical understanding of the relationship between crime and social diversity.
LO2 Describe the issues and differential treatment experienced by minority groups in the criminal system.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Report 1 Each student will be required to write a report based on content in this module and asked to provide real-world recommendations and solutions addressing discrimination. 0 2000 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Report 1

Reading List

·       Hall, N. (2013) Hate Crime. Abingdon: Routledge. 

·       Heidensohn, F. (1996) Women and Crime (Second Edition). Basingstoke: Macmillan. 

·       Hollis, M. E., Stonwell, J. I. and Martinez, R. (2018) The Handbook of Race, Ethnicity, Crime, and Justice. Newark: John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated 

·       Maguire, M., Morgan, R., and Reiner, R. (2017). The Oxford Handbook of Criminology (6th Edition). Oxford: Oxford University Press.