Criminology · Year 12 · Changing Awareness of Crime · 1.º Período

Campaigns for Change

Evaluating the methods used by pressure groups and charities to campaign for changes in criminal law and policy. Students will assess the effectiveness of recent high-profile campaigns.

TL;DR:Campaigns for Change focuses on the practical ways individuals and groups influence the legal system. Students examine the methods used by pressure groups, charities, and individuals to raise awareness and change laws, such as Sarah's Law or the campaign for Clare's Law. This topic covers the evaluation of different campaign methods, including social media, lobbying, and celebrity endorsement. It aligns with WJEC AC1.6 and AC2.1, requiring students to compare and evaluate the success of various campaigns.

• National Curriculum Attainment Targets
• WJEC AC1.6: Evaluate methods of collecting statistics about crime
• WJEC AC2.1: Compare campaigns for change

About This Topic

Campaigns for Change focuses on the practical ways individuals and groups influence the legal system. Students examine the methods used by pressure groups, charities, and individuals to raise awareness and change laws, such as Sarah's Law or the campaign for Clare's Law. This topic covers the evaluation of different campaign methods, including social media, lobbying, and celebrity endorsement. It aligns with WJEC AC1.6 and AC2.1, requiring students to compare and evaluate the success of various campaigns.

This topic is empowering for Year 12 students as it demonstrates that the law is not static and can be changed through collective action. It connects the theoretical study of crime to real-world political and social activism. Students develop critical evaluation skills by looking at why some campaigns succeed while others fail. This topic particularly benefits from hands-on, student-centered approaches where students can design their own campaigns and pitch them to their peers, simulating the real-world pressure of advocacy.

Key Questions

1. What methods are most effective in campaigning for legal change?
2. How do pressure groups influence criminal justice policy?
3. Can you evaluate the success of a recent campaign for change?

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

A campaign is only successful if the law is changed immediately.

What to Teach Instead

Success can also mean raising public awareness, changing police policy, or starting a national conversation. Using a 'success rating' activity helps students see the different levels of impact a campaign can have.

Common Misconception

You need a lot of money or a celebrity to start a successful campaign.

What to Teach Instead

While helpful, many successful UK campaigns started with a single determined individual or a small community group. Reviewing 'grassroots' success stories in a collaborative investigation helps correct this belief.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle

Campaign Post-Mortem

Small groups are assigned a past campaign (e.g., the Double Jeopardy law change). They must research the methods used, the obstacles faced, and the final outcome, then present a 'success rating' to the class with evidence.

50 min·Small Groups

Simulation Game

The Campaign Pitch

Pairs identify a current 'hidden crime' or legal injustice. They must design a 2-minute pitch for a campaign to change the law, specifying their target audience, key methods (e.g., a petition or a viral video), and a clear slogan.

40 min·Pairs

Gallery Walk

Methods of Change

Set up stations for different methods: Lobbying, Social Media, Marches, and Petitions. Students move between stations, listing the pros and cons of each method on large sheets of paper based on their case study knowledge.

30 min·Whole Class

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a pressure group and a charity?

A pressure group is primarily focused on influencing government policy or legislation on a specific issue. A charity's main goal is to provide help or raise money for those in need, though many charities also engage in campaigning. In Criminology, we look at how both types of organisations work to change the criminal justice system.

How does social media change modern campaigning?

Social media allows campaigns to go viral quickly and at a low cost, reaching a global audience. It makes it easier to collect signatures for petitions and organise protests. However, it can also lead to 'slacktivism,' where people support a cause online without taking meaningful action, a point students should evaluate.

What was the significance of Sarah's Law?

Sarah's Law (the Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme) was a landmark campaign that allowed parents to ask the police if someone with access to their children has a record for child sex offences. It is a classic example of how a tragic event can lead to a powerful public campaign and significant legal change.

How can active learning help students understand campaigns for change?

Active learning, like 'The Campaign Pitch,' forces students to think strategically about how to influence others. By designing their own campaigns, they must consider resource allocation, audience psychology, and the practicalities of legal change. This makes the evaluation of real-world campaigns much more intuitive, as they have personally grappled with the same challenges.