SOCI3687: Crime, Justice and the Sex Industry

• At least 20 credits of level 2 modules from the Department of Sociology.

• None.

• None.

• To critically examine the historical, legal, social and cultural dimensions of the sex industry in the UK within the context of theories of crime and deviance, and social policy.
• To understand and assess the current politics of prostitution reform.
• To explore and assess research studies that focus on the lived experience of people working in the sex industry.

• The legal, social, and cultural dimensions of the sex industry drawing upon contemporary empirical research to analyse crime, justice and the sex industry in the 21st century.
• Histories of prostitution/ sex work.
• An introduction to theoretical approaches and perspectives (Feminisms, Liberal, Marxist, Post-modern, post-colonial).
• The Sex Workers rights movement.
• Prostitution and the Criminal Justice System in the UK.
• Neighbourhood, police and policy responses to sex work.
• Trafficking and anti-trafficking policy and practice in the UK.
• Sex Work in the internet age.
• Male sex work, Gender, and difference.
• Cultural criminology and visual representations of Sex Work.

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• On completion of the module students should be able to:
• demonstrate critical understanding of the major themes in the study of the sex industry (historical, legal, social, political, and cultural);
• demonstrate critical understanding of the impact of theoretical criminology in relation to contemporary dimensions of the sex industry;
• understand and assess related social policy issues, with particular reference to the politics of contemporary prostitution reform in the UK context.

Subject-specific Skills:

• On completion of the module students should be able to:
• think critically about recurring and transforming themes and issues in sex work;
• critically evaluate criminological theory in relation to contemporary dimensions of the sex industry;
• critically evaluate and interpret information, evidence and explanations of sex work from a variety of sources and theoretical perspectives.

Key Skills:

• On completion of the module students should be able to:
• engage in critical reasoning and informed debate;
• synthesise and critique arguments drawn from a variety of sources;
• communicate arguments effectively in writing;
• carry out independent study and further reading using traditional and electronic sources;
• manage their time and workload;
• demonstrate effective study and learning skills (note taking; avoiding plagiarism, gathering and using information, constructing a bibliography, referencing);
• demonstrate good IT skills in word processing, using the web, using a virtual learning environment (i.e. Virtual Learning Environment).

• Ten lectures will introduce students to advanced concepts, arguments and theoretical debates related to criminology and sex work.
• Five seminars will engage students to apply knowledge of advanced concepts, arguments and theoretical debates to research studies that focus on the lived experience of those working in the sex industry.
• A formative in class exercise will give students the opportunity to receive feedback on their understanding and familiarity with key debates explored in the module.
• The summative assignment in the form of a 2,500-word essay will test the depth and breadth of students analytical skills, theoretical and methodological understanding in one substantive area of study from the module.

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