This module will explore some of the major psychological contributions towards understanding different crimes, criminal behaviours and serious offending. Developmental, social and genetic contributions towards understanding the psychology of criminality and the individual experience of crime will be considered. Also included will be critical evaluations of the methodologies adopted by researchers in the field and the contributions of this psychological research towards understanding contemporary key issues and debates in relation to crime and serious offending. These may include areas such as juvenile offending, violent offending, terrorism and school shootings. The module will focus on the in-depth application of forensic and criminological psychology to crime and serious offences. It will also explore identifying offending behaviours, potential interventions and responses by the Criminal Justice System. Students will be encouraged to develop critically evaluative skills around the research literature and methodologies to further their understanding of the core issues that the module presents.

Assessment 1: Exam (learning outcomes 1, 3 and 4).
The students will choose 1 essay question from the choice provided based on topics covered in the first semester and answer 1 further set question based on the application of the British Psychological Society Code of Research and Conduct Ethics.

Assessment 2: Case study¿analysis¿(learning outcomes 1, 2 and 4)¿
Based on a factual case highlighted within the¿US/UK Criminal¿Justice¿System from a given list. Students will be expected to apply theories and approaches from the explanations for crime and serious offending that have been covered in the course material to the case details. This will include analysing the contribution the research can make towards explanations and evaluations based on the topic areas selected.¿

Formative assessment
This will take place through class-based activities and independent learning. Peer and tutor feedback will be offered for activities. Tutor feedback on essay and case study plans will be available. There will also be regular drop-in sessions integrated into the taught sessions across the semesters where students can get assessment preparation focussed feedback. Independent learning and practice exam and case-study activities will also be included.

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities (64 hours):

Lecture/workshop teaching sessions will consist of a combination of tutor and student-led sessions and independent learning alongside a series of lectures, discussions, debates, practical exercises. Each session will present theory and research covering a range of crime and serious offending behaviours. In class, approximately half of the time will be spent on lectures, and approximately half spent on other practical applied activities. During the course of the module students will also be expected to complete a series of tutor guided tasks and investigations, which will form the basis of some of the discussions and debates in class and which will assist in the submitted assessments. Teaching sessions will incorporate at least one drop-in for assignment questions.

Guided Independent Study (336 hours):
The independent learning hours which will consist of a combination of guided further reading material, and completing tasks for session preparation, and for assessment preparation.

1. Demonstrate detailed knowledge and systematic understanding of the critical concepts, ideas and issues and their limitations of psychological theories contributions to the understanding some particular topic areas within crime and serious offending

2. Apply and critically evaluate the contribution of the research including strengths and weaknesses of appropriate key methodologies, theories and research in the understanding of factual representations of psychology of crime and serious offending from topic areas chosen from within the module content

3. Reflect on, and apply, acquired knowledge regarding conduct and ethical procedures to topic areas chosen from within the module content

4. Express relevant ideas, knowledge, reading and evaluation in a succinct and coherent written medium.

Blackboard VLE

Library access to relevant textbooks, journals, ebooks

Internet access to relevant websites and online databases

Bowling, B. & Phillips, C. (2002). Racism, Crime and Justice. Harlow: Longman.

Howitt, D. (2018). Introduction to Forensic and Criminal Psychology (6th Edition). Harlow: Pearson Education.

Gavin, H. (2018). Criminological and Forensic Psychology (2nd Edition). London: Sage.

Davies, G.N. & Beech, A.R. (2017). Forensic Psychology: Crime, Justice, Law Interventions (3rd Edition). Chichester: Wiley Blackwell.

Walklate, S. (2013). Gender, Crime and Criminal Justice (2nd Edition). Cullompton: Taylor and Francis.

Winder, B. & Banyard, P. (2012). A Psychologist’s Case Book of Crime: From Arson to Voyeurism. London: Palgrave Macmillan.

Why do people commit crimes and what, as researchers, do we need to consider? Building on what you covered at Level 4, this module will move on to explore some of the major psychological contributions towards understanding crime, criminal behaviour, serious offending and the individual experience of crime. You will also evaluate methods used by researchers and how much the psychological research can explain to help us understand contemporary and key issues such as juvenile offending, violent offending and stalking.