CRIMINOLOGY

Aims of the course:

Not all types of crime are alike. Are you interested in what different types of crime take place in our society and what kinds of crime exist, about which we know very little? How do we decide what behaviour is criminal? What are the roles of personnel involved when a crime is detected? Want a career in the police force, legal professions or forensic sciences? Perhaps you are interested to know more about the new exciting subject of Criminology? Either way this is the perfect course for you.

Why study this at St Mary’s college?

Criminology is a course that combines a variety of subjects including Psychology, Law, Politics, Sociology and Forensic science.

This is a growing subject nationally and one of the first Criminology courses offered at Level 3. It covers an exciting range of topics – Changing an Awareness of Crime, Criminological Theories, Crime Scene to Courtroom and Crime and Punishment. You will explore the causes of criminal behaviour, attitudes to crime, criminal investigations and the wider social and psychological aspects of crime.

Where can this course lead to?

Academic

• Criminology
• Criminology and Criminal Justice
• Criminology and Psychology
• Law with Criminology
• Criminology and Sociology
• Psychology and Sociology
• Criminology with Law

Vocational

This allows you to gain skills and understanding to be able to consider employment within some areas of the criminal justice system:

• The National Probation Service
• The Courts and Tribunals Service
• The National Offender
• Management Service

How is this course assessed

Unit 1: Changing an Awareness of Crime – this is internally assessed controlled coursework.

Unit 2: Criminological Theories – this is an externally assessed exam at the end of the first year of study.

Unit 3: Crime Scene to Courtroom - – this is internally assessed controlled coursework.

Unit 4: Crime and Punishment - this is an externally assessed exam at the end of the second year of study.

Course content

Unit 1 – Changing an Awareness of Crime Topics:

• Analyse different types of Crime
• Explain the reasons that certain crimes are unreported
• Explain the consequences of unreported Crime
• Describe media representation of crime
• Explain the impact of media representations on the public perception of crime
• Evaluate methods of collecting statistics about crime
• Compare campaigns for Change
• Evaluate the effectiveness of media used in campaigns for Change
• Plan a campaign for change relating to crime

Unit 2 – Criminological Theories

• Compare criminal behaviour and deviance
• Describe theories of crime and deviance
• Evaluate the effectiveness of criminological theories to explain causes of criminality
• Assess the use of criminological theories in informing policy development
• Explain how social changes affect policy development
• Discuss how campaigns affect policy making

Unit 3 – Crime Scene to Courtroom

• Evaluate the effectiveness of the roles of personnel involved in criminal investigations
• Assess the usefulness of investigative techniques in criminal investigations
• Explain how evidence is Processed
• Examine the rights of individuals in criminal Investigations
• Describe trial processes
• Assess key influences affecting the outcomes of criminal Cases
• Discuss the use of laypeople in criminal cases

Unit 4 – Crime and Punishment

• Describe processes used for law making
• Describe the organisation of the criminal justice system in England and Wales
• Describe models of criminal justice
• Explain forms of social control
• Discuss the aims of punishment
• Assess how forms of punishment meet the aims of Punishment
• Explain the role of agencies in social control
• Describe the contribution of agencies to achieving social control