Course Catalogue

Justice Studies

The Sociology of Policing module seeks to critically explore the complex and dynamic relationship between policing services/agents and members of the diversity of publics these organisations serve; develop a critical appreciation of the historical and conceptual development of modern policing forms; evaluate contemporary policing structures/methods/networks; and explore future challenges for service provision. The lectures, tutorial exercises and reading for the module will encourage students to engage with the evolving and multi-faceted challenges facing the workings of one of the key institutions of criminal justice, whilst also exploring the emerging ethical, moral and practical concerns raised by the increasingly powerful played by the private and quasi-private forms of policing and security management. Developing these themes further the module will draw in contributions from political theory and sociology to help generate a greater understanding of the role the police, as an organisation, in shaping notions of belonging, citizenship and identity.

Outline Syllabus:
The Sociology of Policing - Course Outline The Police; contemporary issues in the management and delivery of public policing - The Police; Who are they, what do they do - Public trust and Confidence in the Organisation - Trends in Police Governance and Accountability Towards a cultural sociology of policing - Police culture in a changing world - Policing and the politics of belonging - Policing and the boundaries of multicultural citizenship Issues raised by the increasingly fragmented landscape of policing and security provision - The pluralisation of policing and security services - Policing and the ethics of surveillance - The emergence of security as a public good - Policing the post-modern society > are we there yet?

Module Overview:
This module seeks to critically explore the complex and dynamic relationship between policing services/agents and members of the diverse public these organisations serve. It will help you develop a critical appreciation of the historical and conceptual development of modern policing forms, evaluate contemporary policing structures/methods/networks, and explore future challenges for service provision.

Additional Information:
It is the job of this module to develop a deeper and more meaningful understanding of the complexities of the interface between state and non-state policing forms and the diversity of publics these organisations serve. From the relationships between the public police - one of the key criminal justice/state institutions - and the communities they police, to the safety management 'services' provided to paying customers that the private security sector facilitates, there are a wealth of policing inspired exchanges taking place that this module seeks to reflect upon and explore. Throughout the emphasis will be on exploring the real and symbolic power of the concept of policing to influence and shape notions of belonging, community and identity, allowing students to receive formative feedback through interactive discussion.