What this course is about:
By studying Criminology you will develop your understanding of crime and explore different aspects of crime. This will include crime in society, human perceptions of crime and the role of the courts and legal systems within criminal behaviour.
Within this course, the reasons for why crime is committed is investigated and explanations range from biological to psychological factors. Criminology allows us to question criminal behaviour and we will question whether certain theories are appropriate for certain crimes. As well as this, we look at the need for the criminal justice system. This covers the structure of the legal system, the reasons for why crime is punished and whether ‘miscarriages of justices’ occur and what can be done in order to reduce this from happening. We will question the role of our society in the control of criminal behaviour and what makes us more likely to follow the rules… or in some cases, break them!
This course is designed to enhance thinking, analytical and evaluative skills as well as being able to apply learning and knowledge to understand the real world criminal behaviour.
What you will study:
The course will enable students to demonstrate understanding of different types of crime, influences on perceptions of crime and why some crimes are unreported. The second mandatory unit will allow learners to gain an understanding of why people commit crime.
In addition, the course will provide an understanding of the criminal justice system from the moment a crime has been identified to the verdict. Learners will develop the understanding and skills needed to examine information in order to review the justice of verdicts in criminal cases.
Learners will also apply their understanding of the awareness of criminality, criminological theories and the process of bringing an accused to court in order to evaluate the effectiveness of social control to deliver criminal justice policy.
How you will be assessed:
Students are required to sit a combination of external examinations and coursework which is marked internally and externally moderated.
What it will prepare you for:
This course contains different elements of Psychology, Criminology and Law that will prepare you for studying a higher education degree course including degrees relating to:
• Criminology
• Law
• Psychology
• Sociology
As well as this, you will have a developed understanding of different employment types within the legal system including solicitors and barristers, criminal psychologists and the national probation service.
Students may wish to pursue careers in the following:
• Solicitor apprenticeship
• Police officer
• Prison officer
• Social worker