Module manager: Dr Matt Tidmarsh
Email: M.J.Tidmarsh@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
| SLSP2021 | Crime, Law and Regulation |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Criminology is the study of theoretical explanations for offending behaviour. Is breaking the criminal law a free-willed rational choice, or are some people driven to deviance by external (e.g. biological, psychological or sociological) forces beyond their control? Are some individuals and acts more likely to be criminalised than others? This module explores traditional (Western) explanations for crime and offending behaviour, charting their development from the medieval period to contemporary times. It also considers recent calls to decolonize criminology and why the decolonization of the discipline matters.
LAW2091 is designed to support students to develop a critical understanding of key theoretical perspectives within the canon of Western criminological thought. The module will also raise awareness of the historical and contemporary dominance of the discipline of criminology by white male scholars from the global north and the implications for criminological theory, and criminal justice policy and practice.
This will be achieved through a combination of lectures, small group discussions in seminars, directed tasks, private study and work for the assessment.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes:
The ability to analyse major theories of crime in their social, cultural, historical and political contexts and apply such theories to understanding contemporary dynamics in crime, victimisation and criminal justice.
The ability to critically assess the values implicit in major traditions of criminological theory and the ethical underpinnings of criminological enquiry.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
Apply critical thinking to establish independent perspectives on questions in criminology and criminal justice studies.
Be able to effectively search for, and apply, for reliable information to address a problem
Communicate evidence and ideas effectively using a range of written, oral and digital tools.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 11 | 1 | 11 |
| Seminar | 5 | 1.5 | 7.5 |
| Private study hours | 181.5 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 18.5 | ||
| 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 | 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: 30/04/2026
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