CR6002 - Contemporary Policing and Security

What will I learn on this module?

From being a relatively marginal political issue, modern policing and security has risen rapidly up the social and political agendas of western societies. As inequalities have increased, so the actual and perceived risks of crime and other social ills have grown rapidly for all sections of society: the management of crime has become a central concern.

In this module you will develop your critical understanding, analysis and interpretation of the key themes, theories, issues and political debates concerning the development and contemporary nature of modern policing and the delivery of security in England and Wales. Where appropriate, you will be directed to comparative material from other countries and our discussions will draw upon these comparative dimensions to contemporary policing and security.

Given the ‘contemporary’ nature of this module and the continually evolving nature of policing and security, the content of this module is revised each year. Examples of topics covered in previous years include:
• The changing role and function of the police
• Policing and Mental Health
• Terrorism and Insecurity
• Technology, Surveillance and Society
• Policing Globalisation
• Victimology and Policing
• Conducting Research in Policing and Security Settings

How will I learn on this module?

This is a dynamic module that will draw upon a wide range of teaching techniques in order to enrich your learning experience. The module is usually delivered via a three hour weekly workshop (combining lecture and seminar delivery into one). In these workshops, along with your independent study for the module, you will experience:

• Research rich lecture components – drawing upon the most relevant empirical in the areas of policing and regulation.
• Opportunities for you to read and independently engage with scholarly and policy perspectives.
• Engagement with and analysis of alternative forms of media – e.g. documentaries, podcasts and blogs.
• Guest speakers including academics and practitioners in the field.
• Interactive online quizzes.
• Opportunities to work collaboratively with your peers.

You are also supported by several online platforms e.g. the VLE (which will include the module outline and assessment requirements); electronic reading lists; twitter accounts managed by the module tutor and teaching team; and blogs/podcasts to communicate key information/ tutor advice.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

You will take part in weekly workshops where you will be introduced to the main information and debates and where you will be encouraged to critically explore debates – individually and with your peers. Whilst this module contributes to your subject specific knowledge of criminology, enabling you to develop a critical knowledge of contemporary policing and security, it simultaneously enhances your intellectual and professional skills.

By taking this module you will enhance a number of scholarly and transferable skills appropriate to your studies at level 6. These include your
ability to:
- think critically about contemporary policing and security.
- work collaboratively with others and to share intellectual ideas and debates.
- evaluate and reflect upon key theoretical approaches to understanding contemporary policing and security.
- acquire literature based and electronic research skills.
- evaluate the link between theory, policy and practice.
- engage with and compose alternative information platforms e.g. posters, vlogs, podcasts.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. To evaluate and analyse the contemporary nature, role, function and effectiveness of modern policing and security within modern and late modern society.
2. To theorise and evaluate developments in modern policing and security, drawing upon theoretical debates about risk, governance and globalisation.
3. To demonstrate a critical understanding of the controversies and debates that surround many aspects of modern policing and security.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
1. To enhance your intellectual, transferable and practical skills appropriate to level 6 through engagement in evaluating the scholarly and academic literature. You will also explore different ways of representing and disseminating information.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
1. To have confidence in your own knowledge and understanding about contemporary policing and security; to be open to different viewpoints, and to express knowledge about people, organisations and practices in a non-judgemental manner.

How will I be assessed?

Formative:
Formative assessment (i.e. assessment that doesn’t count towards your final mark) will be delivered throughout the weekly workshops for this module. This will involve supporting you in developing the skills outlined by the module learning outcomes. By engaging with formative tasks independently and as part of the seminar programme, you will be equipped to complete the module summative assessment to the best of your ability.

Summative:
There are two parts to the summative (i.e. formal) assessment on this module:
(i) You will design and present a poster (30%) that evaluates and analyses the contemporary nature, role, function and effectiveness of modern policing and the delivery of security within modern and late modern society. [MLO1, MLO4 & ML05]
(ii) You will also be required to submit a 3500 word essay (70%). [MLO2, ML1, MLO2, MLO3, MLO4)

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

Please find details of this module in the other sections provided.

Course info

UCAS Code LL44

Credits 20

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 3 years Full Time

Department Social Sciences

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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