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Department of Social & Policy Sciences, Unit Catalogue 2011/12


SP30129: Sexual violence: explanations, responses & debates

Click here for further information Credits: 6
Click here for further information Level: Honours (FHEQ level 6)
Click here for further information Period: Semester 1
Click here for further information Assessment: EX 100%
Click here for further information Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Click here for further information Requisites: Before taking this unit you must take SP10043 or take SP10044
Click here for further information Description: Aims:

* To analyse key theoretical explanations of rape and sexual assault.
* To examine competing definitions of what constitutes sexual violence.
* To outline debates around the extent of adult rape and sexual assault.
* To explore the experiences of survivors of these crimes.
* To understand the links between sexual violence and domestic violence.
* To critically assess voluntary sector responses to these crimes.
* To critically assess police reponses to these crimes.
* To analyse contemporary debates about the effectiveness of perpetrator treatment programmes.
* Outline and discuss sexual violence as an international Human Rights concern.

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this unit, students should be able to:
* Outline and analyse key historical and contemporary explanations for sexual violence.
* Critique official and non-official statistics on the extent of sexual violence.
* Access a range of sources of information about sexual violence and service provision in the UK.
* Critically assess key theoretical debates on the causes of and responses to sexual violence.
* Outline and evaluate changing statutory responses to rape and sexual assault in the UK.
* Outline and evaluate changing voluntary sector responses to rape and sexual assault in the UK.
* Contextualise UK debates within a Human Rights/international framework.

Skills:

* To think creatively and analytically.
* To communicate and argument.
* To evaluate others' arguments and research.
* To learn independently and be able to assess own learning needs (i.e. identify strengths and improve weaknesses in methods of learning and studying).
* To place local debates within an international and global context.
* To critically evaluate and assess research and evidence as well as a variety of other information.
* To gather information, data, research and literature from a number of different sources (i.e. library, web-based, archives etc.).
* To select appropriate and relevant information from a wide source and large body of knowledge.
* To synthesise information from a number of sources in order to gain a coherent understanding.
* To utilise problem solving skills.
* Study and Learning skills (note taking, avoiding plagarism, using the library, gathering and using information, constructing a bibliography, referencing).
* Basic Information and Computing Technology skills (word processing, email, using the web to search for information).
* Essay research, preparation and writing skills.
* To construct a bibliography.
* Time-management and administrative skills.
* Communication and debating skills.
* To reflect upon his/her own academic and professional performance and take responsibility for personal and professional learning and development.
* To solve problems in a variety of situations.
* To manage time effectively and respond to changing demands.
* To prioritise workloads, and utilise long- and short-term planning skills.

Content:
Explanations of sexual violence; gender and crime; rape and sexual assault (including male rape); domestic violence; sexual violence as a Human Rights Concern (e.g. rape as a war crime); prostitution; police responses; voluntary sector responses; working with offenders (sex offender treatment programmes, domestic violence treatment programmes).
Click here for further informationProgramme availability:

SP30129 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Social & Policy Sciences
  • UHSP-AFB14 : BSc (hons) Applied Social Studies (Full-time) - Year 3
  • UHSP-AFB16 : BSc (hons) Social Policy (Full-time) - Year 3
  • UHSP-AKB16 : BSc (hons) Social Policy (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • UHSP-AFB01 : BSc (hons) Social Policy and Administration (Full-time) - Year 3
  • UHSP-AKB01 : BSc (hons) Social Policy and Administration (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • UHSP-AFB05 : BSc (hons) Social Sciences (Full-time) - Year 3
  • UHSP-AKB05 : BSc (hons) Social Sciences (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • UHSP-AFB04 : BSc (hons) Sociology (Full-time) - Year 3
  • UHSP-AKB04 : BSc (hons) Sociology (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • UHSP-AFB10 : BSc (hons) Sociology and Social Policy (Full-time) - Year 3
  • UHSP-AKB10 : BSc (hons) Sociology and Social Policy (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • UHSP-AFB11 : BSc (hons) Sociology with Human Resource Management (Full-time) - Year 3
  • UHSP-AKB11 : BSc (hons) Sociology with Human Resource Management (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4

NB. Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.