1. Discuss the concept of crime and deviance being a social construct with reference to how laws have changed over time. This will involve the exploration of how police powers have changed over time. Knowledge and Understanding, Enquiry

2. Analyse, apply and evaluate biological (for example, Lombroso, Sheldon and Twin Studies) and individualistic theories (for example, Freud, Eysenck and Skinner) of crime as explanations of criminality and as policy responses to controlling criminal behaviour. Knowledge and Understanding, Analysis, Application, Problem Solving, Reflection

3. Demonstrate an understanding of the personnel involved in criminal investigations, the techniques involved in criminal investigations, how evidence is processed, individual rights during criminal investigations and the trial procedure.
Knowledge and Understanding, Learning, Enquiry, Communication, Reflection

The Criminological theories exam will be a 90 minute examination comprised of a series of short answer question to assess knowledge and understanding of criminological theories. There will be a series of longer answer questions which will assess the student’s ability to discuss how laws have changed over time with reference to specific examples. It will also assess the students ability to analyse which theories best explain criminal behaviour, as evidenced within a scenario. Students will also be assessed on their ability to utilise criminological theories to inform policy responses to crime within scenarios as well as their ability to evaluate the theories ability to provide an explanation for criminal behaviour. This examination will assess Learning Outcomes 1 and 2.

The crime scene to courtroom scenario-based task will require students to analyse a scenario to reach a conclusion on the most appropriate personnel to be involved in the criminal investigation, which criminal investigation techniques should be employed and how evidence should be processed as well as the rights of the individual within the situation. There will be a reflective question in addition to the scenario-based task whereby students will explore a range of sources to evaluate the trial procedure in England to conclude upon its suitability. This will create opportunities for students to independently research successes and failures of the trial procedure to reach a conclusion. This assignment will assess Learning Outcome 3.

This module serves to provide an introduction to the terms crime and deviance which will involve the extent to which crime is a social construct. There will be an exploration of how laws have changed over time and the societal changes that have contributed to the changes in legislation. There will be an opportunity for students to explore how police powers have evolved over time.

In addition, this module will introduce students to biological (for example, Lombroso, Sheldon and Twin Studies) and individualistic (for example, Freud, Eysenck and Skinner) theories of criminality and will require analysis of the most suitable approach to explaining the existence of crime. Theories will be applied in a problem-solving context to provide justification on what response should be taken to controlling crime and criminal behaviour. These theories of criminality will be evaluated for their effectiveness.

The module will also provide an introduction to the processes undertaken from crime scene to courtroom in a criminal investigation. The roles of personnel involved in criminal investigations such as scenes of crime officers, forensic scientists, police officers, CPS and pathologists will be investigated. Forensic techniques used in criminal investigations will be examined, for example; forensics, surveillance, profiling, eye witness testimony and the use of experts. How evidence is processed and used in criminal cases under guidelines contained within the Police and Criminal Evidence Act will also be explored. There will also be an introduction to individual’s rights during criminal investigations as detailed in legislation such as the Police and Criminal Evidence Act. Finally, the trial process will be examined focusing on the role of the court system, personnel involved in the trial process as well as plea bargaining and appeals. In this module there will be opportunities for students to reflect on a range of sources to reach a conclusion as to the suitability of the criminal justice system at present.

This module aims to provide students with an introduction to the theories of crime, including biological and individualistic theories of criminality. Students will then apply these theories to a range of scenarios to critically evaluate responses to controlling crime and criminal behaviour. This module will also introduce students to the process of criminal investigation, including crime scene practices, investigative processes, trial processes and appeal procedures. This module aims to enable students to gain a coherent understanding of the criminal justice process, from the causes of criminal behaviour to the management of offenders.

This module will comprise contact hours and independent study hours.
During contact hours there will be a combination of:
Lectures 21 x 1.5 hours = 31.5 hours
Seminars/Workshops 21 x 1.5 hours = 31.5 hours
Total: 63 hours

During Independent study hours there will be a combination of:
• Wider reading to support content delivered in lectures
• Independent study which includes internet searching, reading relevant news items, textbooks, articles etc. to enhance subject knowledge
• Consolidation of learning activities in preparation for formative assessment.
• Consolidation of learning activities in preparation for summative assignments
• Within the crime scene to courtroom learning outcome, there will be applied learning strategies using specialist facilities such as the crime house at the university.
• There will also be opportunities for students to take part in educational visits to contextualise some of the learning content such as the trial process in local courts.

Introductory level text: Henderson, C and Neasham, L. (2019) WJEC Level 3 Applied Certificate and Diploma in Criminology. Illuminate publishing. ISBN: 978-1911208969

Advanced text: Newburn, T (2017) Criminology 3rd edition. Routledge, Oxon. ISBN: 978-1-138-64313-0

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