Sensory Criminology
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| SOCI3041 | Sociology and Social Policy | 3 | 20 | Autumn UK |
- Code
- SOCI3041
- School
- Sociology and Social Policy
- Level
- 3
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Autumn UK
Summary
This module is concerned with exploring the history of sensory studies in the social sciences and the development of a sensory criminology. As humans we are sensory creatures, we smell, we touch, we hear, and we see. These elements of our experience fundamentally shape how we experience and understand issues of crime and victimisation. Sensory Criminology explores these issues and experiences in order to deepen our understanding of core criminological issues.
Topics may include:
- The history of sensory social science.
- The development of sensory criminology.
- Sensory criminology and the philosophy of the social sciences.
- Methods of sensory research.
- The ethics of sensory research.
- Differing sensory studies in penalty and criminology.
- How sensory criminology can challenge traditional criminological theory.
- Sensory victimology.
Target Students
Available to Level 3 and Level 4 UG students and PGT students including subsidiary students from outside the school. Also available to exchange students.
Classes
This module is taught through a combination of lectures and seminars.
Assessment
- 40% Coursework 1: 1,500 words.
- 60% Coursework 2: 2,500 words.
Assessed by end of autumn semester
Educational Aims
This module seeks to introduce students the developing field of Sensory Criminology by focusing on the history of ‘embodied’ studies in the social sciences, and contemporary criminological research that informs this field. The module aims to: Explore how we can further the criminological imagination beyond its traditional and limited focus on observation.Explore the varying sensory methodologies that can be used in criminology.Examine how sensory methods focusing on sound, smell, touch, and other senses can challenge traditional understandings of key concepts in criminology.Explore how punishments are experienced as sensory impositions.Explore the sensory components of varying forms of victimisation.Explore the possibility of using sensory methods for examining state crimes and harms.Learning Outcomes
- Apply concepts and theory underpinning sensory methods in the social sciences to contemporary issues in criminology.
- Critically evaluate the relationship between the senses and empirical social sciences.
- Explain the complexity and diversity in the ways in which sensory criminology is defined, studied, experienced, explained, and/or practiced.
- Critically assess the strengths and weaknesses of sensory methods in examining criminological/victimological topics.
- Critically evaluate the ability of a sensory focus to challenge criminological paradigms.