Understanding Corruption (958M9)

30 credits, Level 7 (Masters)

Autumn teaching

To fight corruption effectively, we first need to understand it. This module will equip you with the vital knowledge and analytical skills you need to independently explore the problem of corruption around the globe in both developed and developing country contexts.

We will explore how the sub-discipline approaches defining, measuring and explaining corruption. For each element, you will be encouraged to look critically at the conceptual and theoretical debates and develop your own views on the value and appropriateness.

The module incorporates five special topics, which will introduce you to a range of research interests presented by the broader faculty. These range from investigating corruption in sport, business and politics to engaging with the more critical accounts of the functioning of the so-called “anti-corruption industry” and the corruption sub-discipline itself.

You will learn about:

• the debates surrounding the definition and conceptualisation of corruption and the impact these have had on corruption studies
• the various approaches to quantifying/measuring corruption and how innovations in this area are responding to critiques of traditional approaches
• the range of theoretical approaches to explaining corruption in context and the strengths and limitations of each.

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 300 hours of work. This breaks down into about 20 hours of contact time and about 280 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.