School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research
Assignment information
S0754 Victims and Crime
2017-18
Assignment 1: Essay (50% overall mark)
Rubric: Word limit of 2500, (excluding references) +/-10%
Assignment questions: Choose ONE of the following questions:
1. Critically appraise the factors that have contributed to the increasing visibility of victims in mid-twentieth Century Britain.
2. According to Hope (2017) official crime statistics cannot capture the rate or complexity of victimisation. Critically evaluate how useful surveys and official statistics are for evidencing the ‘true rate’ of victimisation.
3. Some people deliberately or recklessly put themselves at risk. Critically evaluate the claim that victims of crime precipitate their victimisation.
4. ‘While every act may conceivably involve a victim, only those that threaten the welfare of the ruling class become a crime. Social harm, no matter how abstract, is a reality decided up by those in power’ (Quinney, 1972:315). Critically appraise the contribution radical and critical perspectives brought to victimology.
5. Males are not often conferred the status of ‘ideal victim’ (Christie, 1986) and are seen as undeserving (Mawby & Walklate, 1994). Critically appraise the role gender plays in understanding the experience and impact of domestic violence.
Key information:
The first item of assessment is a written essay of 2,500 words (excluding references) which tests learning outcomes (listed below). It will do this by requiring students to respond to a question which asks them to ‘critically evaluate or explain’ concepts relating to crime and victimisation using academic sources contemporary research, policy documentation, and where appropriate, media sources.
In line with SSPSSR policy, all written coursework for this module must be submitted online via Moodle on Turnitin by 10.00 a.m. on Friday 15th December 2017.
You must enter your final draft or version of your work on to the SSPSSR coursework template before uploading it. Any extension requests will be accepted until 12 p.m. on the Monday/Wednesday immediately before the deadline. Marks will be withheld (given a mark of 0%) on any essays or assignments that have been submitted after the deadline has passed and the Senior Tutor has not approved an extension request or if the SSPSSR template has not been use.
Things you need to take note of when preparing/writing your essay:
1. Read the question and make sure that you understand what is required. For example, if the question asks you to ‘critically appraise’ then the answer requires you to formulate an argument and make a judgement. You’ll need to illustrate how you came to it by providing support for your argument.
2. Plan your answer and structure your essay before you start writing. You cannot rush a good essay. It takes time to read, understand, think and write. It takes a lot of hard work to arrive in a position where you can write a well-informed argument.
3. Make s...
