Department of Social & Policy Sciences, Unit Catalogue 2007/08 |
SP30129 Sexual violence: explanations, responses & debates |
| Credits: 6 |
| Level: Honours |
| Semester: 1 |
| Assessment: EX100 |
| Requisites: |
| Before taking this unit you must take SP10043 or take SP10044 |
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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). |