This module is designed to:
• Stimulate students' interest in, and enthusiasm for, the field of alcohol studies by introducing them to current debates, paradigms and perspectives within the field and exploring concepts underlying the epidemiology, consequences of alcohol use, and criminalisation thereof;
• Encourage students to develop a critical understanding of issues relating to alcohol, crime, and ‘alcohol problems’ within criminological and multi-disciplinary frameworks;
• Use critical analysis of key debates about alcohol and ‘alcohol problems’ to explore the contested nature of knowledge in this field;
• Explore academic, policy and popular representations of alcohol within their historical and socio-cultural context;
• Build upon and further develop knowledge and critical understanding gained from previous modules of study.

(LO1) An appreciation of the ways in which relevant criminological and multi-disciplinary perspectives can be applied to the study of alcohol and crime

(LO2) A critical appreciation of a range of theoretical and empirical studies of alcohol and the methodological and ethical challenges to their completion

(LO3) A knowledge and critical understanding of contemporary debates about alcohol and ‘alcohol problems’ and associated crime/violence including the nature and role of the media

(LO4) An understanding of how historical and socio-cultural circumstances have influenced how we view alcohol and ‘alcohol problems’ and associated crime/violence today

(S1) Critical thinking and problem solving - Critical analysis

(S2) Critical thinking and problem solving - Evaluation

(S3) Understanding of inter-disciplinary perspectives

(S4) Communication skills – academic writing

(S5) Ability to make links with other modules to enhance understanding

(S6) Time management and organisational skills

(S7) Information Skills - Ability to gather and critically analyse appropriate information

(S8) Communication skills – Ability to construct systematic and coherent written arguments

• Regulation of alcohol
• Alcohol use in contemporary society
• The alcohol-crime debate
• Alcohol and violence
• The social construction of alcohol ‘problems’
• Gender, class and alcohol
• Alcohol violence and public / urban space
• Alcohol and violence policy development
• Alcohol in criminal justice

Library resources will be accessible through the module reading list, other key learning resources will accessible through VITAL or CANVAS. Resources are offered as a starting point for reading and as a point of reference although wider research and reading is encouraged. Students will be expected to complete independent reading / set tasks in preparation for workshops.

Hybrid - asynchronous pre-recorded lectures; face to face synchronous seminars, safety permitting. 11 weekly ‘lectures’ to be delivered asynchronously online as shorter video instalments.

Fortnightly workshops to be delivered fortnightly in weeks 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 to allow for more interactive and in-depth analysis of the key topics and concepts introduced in the ‘lectures’. To comprise a range of pre-set tasks (e.g. readings, discussion boards, quizzes, videos etc.) and subsequent synchronous engagement.

Self-directed learning hours to increase to reflect changes above – to 129.
(NB. current discrepancy in current form in Summary of Learning and Teaching methods - Self-Directed Learning Hours: 132, whilst in table reads 126 hours).