This module explores why some harmful events are defined and treated as crimes while others are not, and how these definitions shift across regions and over time. You’ll focus on constructions of ‘harm’ or ‘social harm’, and how these are intimately linked to the state, as the key source of definitions of crime through law. Using thought-provoking case studies, you'll explore the processes of criminalisation and definitions of crime, harm and justice. You’ll critically consider the role and function of criminological theory and its proximity to state power, and develop your criminological imagination and identity through interactive activities and assessments.
What you will study
You'll learn about a range of criminological perspectives and be introduced to a number of key concepts to help explore the relationships between crime, harm and the state. Many of these are at the cutting edge of contemporary criminology, including, for example, zemiology, decolonial perspectives, and green criminology. You'll undertake a detailed interrogation of some key issues in contemporary criminology – through a variety of topics, including the global pharmaceutical industry, food production, harm to non-human animals, the global tourism industry, international warfare, the so-called ‘refugee crisis’, climate catastrophe, sexuality and eugenics – and all through the lens of social harm. In so doing, you'll interrogate key social scientific concepts such as discourse, power and the state.
This module is divided into the following blocks:
In Block 1, you'll be introduced to the concept of power to explore how and why certain harms come to be criminalised while others do not.
Through Block 2, you'll explore the concept of discourse as an aid to investigating how and why some harms come to be constructed as crimes while other harms are, at best, neglected and, at worst, denied.
In Block 3, you'll develop a deeper understanding of the concept of the state and examine further the role of states in both preventing and producing harm.
Finally, Block 4 gives you the opportunity to synthesise your understanding of the empirical, conceptual and theoretical material you have explored to this point. It introduces the concept of resistance and encourages you to consider the interactions between power, discourse, the state and resistance to understand the relationships between crime and harm.
Due to the nature of exploring criminal harm and state violence, you may find a number of the topics discussed in this module difficult and challenging. If you feel that increased awareness of such issues will be unduly distressing, then please think carefully before enrolling for this module.
Entry requirements
This is an OU level 3 module. OU level 3 modules build on study skills and subject knowledge acquired from previous studies at OU levels 1 and 2. They are intended only for students who have recent experience of higher education in a related subject.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
marking your assignments and offering detailed feedback to help you improve
providing individual guidance, whether that’s for general study skills or specific module content
guiding you to additional learning resources
facilitating online discussions between your fellow students in the dedicated forums.
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Assessment
Course work includes:
4 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)
End-of-module assessment
You will be required, at certain points, to work with other students and this will be assessed in one of the tutor-marked assignments (TMAs). This includes looking at and commenting on others’ work, reflecting on others’ comments on your work, and/or working together with fellow learners on a project/task. There is also an assessed TMA activity that requires you to source images.
What's included
You'll be provided with two printed books and have access to the module website, which includes:
a week-by-week study planner
module materials
module specific forums
audio and video content
assessment guide
online tutorial access.
Computing requirements
Primary device – A desktop or laptop computer with at least 8 GB of RAM and a quad-core processor (2.4 GHz minimum speed). It’s possible to access some materials on a mobile phone, tablet or Chromebook; however, they will not be suitable as your primary device.
Peripheral device – Headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone for online tutorials.
Operating systems – Windows 11 or the latest supported macOS.
Internet access – Broadband or mobile connection.
Browser – Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge are recommended; Mozilla Firefox and Safari may be suitable.
Our OU Study app operates on supported versions of Android and iOS.
Software – Any additional software will be provided or is generally available for free.
If you have a disability
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying DD311 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.
Future availability
Crime, harm and the state starts twice a year – in October and February.
This page describes the module that will start in October 2026 and February 2027.
We expect it to start for the last time in February 2032.