Introduction to Criminology

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• An ability to explain and evaluate the main theoretical perspectives in criminology.
• Critically assess the role of media in understanding our perceptions of crime
• A critical knowledge of the development of the field of criminology.
• A critical knowledge of key contemporary debates in this area.
• An understanding of how criminology has studied different forms of crime, the social dimensions of crime and the differing responses to crime.
• Discuss criteria for 'measuring' crime
• Contrast competing definitions of crime
• Explain and evaluate the main theoretical perspectives in criminology
• Compare, contrast, analyse and critically evaluate criminological perspectives and their application to crime and criminal justice.
• Demonstrate a critical knowledge of the development of the field of criminology
• Challenge commonsense thinking and move beyond mere description to critical analysis; group working; communication; a recognition of the interconnectedness of phenomena.

Section 1: What is crime and how do we know about it?

Section 2: What causes crime (I)? Sociological theories

Section 3: What causes crime (II)? Biological and psychological theories

Section 4: Recap and Revision

Seminars:

1. What do we really know about crime?

2. Sociological theories of crime and deviance

3. The social construction of crime

4. Bio-psychological approaches of crime and deviance

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Tim Newburn (2017). Criminology. Routledge.

Assessment strategy

Summative assessment takes the form of a multiple-choice quiz. Formative assessment takes place in seminars and via Black Board pages and takes a variety of forms including the of use of ‘quiz’; questions linked to set text essential readings and small group work in seminars on specific issues. These are also incorporated into Black Board pages and some of the ‘power point’ presentations include short formative activity designed to take place in the lecture itself.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External