Sociology, Philosophy and Anthropology
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Undergraduate Module Descriptor

SOC2126: Forensic Science, Conflict and Justice

This module descriptor refers to the 2023/4 academic year.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

  1. Introduction to forensics, materiality and evidence.
  2. What is the sociology of forensic science?
  3. Forensic Science and the state. Case Study: OJ Simpson Case
  4. Questioning evidence: from oral testimony to materiality on trial
  5. When states’ kill: authoritarianism, dictatorship and democracies
  6. The Global South as a site of innovation: from Srebrenica to Mexico’s ‘War on Drugs’
  7. Case Study: Argentina and the ‘Disappeared’
  8. Forensic Humanitarianism
  9. International aid, forensic technical assistance and the Global South
  10. The path of the one is the path of the many: Re-imagining forensic science
  11. Citizen-led forensics in Mexico (and beyond?)
  12. Conclusion: Critical assessment of the status of forensic science in an everchanging world.

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
27123

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled learning and teaching activities22two-hour weekly lectures to go over topics and materials together.
Scheduled learning and teaching activities5fortnightly 1 hour tutorials.
Guided independent study33Course Readings
Guided independent study45Preparation for essays, library, research
Guided independent study45Essay revisions

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).