Sociology and Criminology

The Climate Crisis, Criminology & the Justice System

Module code: L3126A
Level 5
15 credits in autumn semester
Teaching method: Workshop
Assessment modes: Portfolio

On this module, you’ll look at how the climate emergency challenges criminology and the criminal justice system.

Through conservation criminology, you’ll explore:

• environmental crimes and harms – including damage to the environment caused by states and corporations
• how social inequalities and power structures link to environmental damage
• case studies and comparisons from different places
• how the criminal justice system both contributes to environmental injustice and faces its own risks from climate disasters.

Module learning outcomes

• Demonstrate a good understanding of the scope and nature of environmental crimes and harms in the UK and globally.
• Demonstrate a good understanding of green and conservation criminology in contrast to conventional criminology.
• Demonstrate a good understanding of the complex relationship between social structures of power and environmental harms.
• Demonstrate a good understanding of the unique role and vulnerabilities the criminal justice will play in the climate emergency.