The module will explore the interdisciplinary nature of criminology and introduce key concepts and theories for crime and crime prevention. Students will also be introduced to the use of problem solving within a policing context. The module will challenge students to consider potential motivations for crime, and they will evaluate explanations of offending behaviour from a psychological and sociological perspective, through application to real world case studies. The nexus between offenders and victims will be explored, encouraging students to consider the complexities of crime and the associated difficulties of the police response. One of the responses focused on in this module will be the community policing model.

This module will cover:

Concepts related to criminology
Understanding concepts, theories and relationship surrounding victims and offenders
Motivations for offending
Impact of crime of individuals
Impact of diversity on the Criminal Justice System
Crime prevention theories and strategies
Problem solving techniques and their effectiveness
Reviewing specific initiatives of crime prevention
Core functions and methods associated with community policing
How the police can utilise community engagement to foster effective partnerships

College of Policing curriculum content:
Crime Prevention – 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.3, 3.1, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4
Vulnerability and Risk –10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5, 10.6, 11.1, 11.2
Criminal Justice – 9.1, 9.2, 11.1, 11.2
Problem Solving – 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5
Policing Communities – 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8

1. Detail and explain theories of crime and crime prevention

Knowledge and understanding, learning

2. Interpret information surrounding offenders, victims and overlap between the two

Knowledge and understanding, learning

3. Examine the nature and impact of society on the criminal justice system

Analysis, Application

4. Examine the relationship between the public and the police and evaluate the impact of community engagement or lack of

Analysis, Application, Reflection

5. Outline the use of problems solving; the tools used to implement it; and enablers and barriers to problem solving within a criminal context

Problem solving, Analysis, Reflection, Communication

N/A

Higgins, A. (2017) Neighbourhood policing: a police force typology. London: The Police Foundation
Joyce, P. (2010) Policing: Development and Contemporary Practice. London, Sage.
Lab, S. (2016) Crime Prevention: Approaches, Practices, and Evaluations. 9th Ed. Routledge
Longstaff, A., Willer, J., & Chapman, J. (2015) Neighbourhood policing: Past, present and future. London: The Police Foundation

Additional reading available from the online reading list.

1. One assessment for this module will involve students working in groups to produce a pre-recorded presentation surrounding the nature and impact of society on the criminal justice system; and surrounding offenders and victims. The presentation will centre around one tv drama of real or fictional crime and sociologically related depictions selected from a list provided to them by the tutors and chosen by the group. Students will be able to show their understanding of topics relating to society and the criminal justice system as well as the impact of crime on individuals and relationship between victims and offenders. They will demonstrate critical analysis of the topic applying concepts and theories it to scenarios presented in the drama. This assessment will address learning outcomes 2, 3, 4 and 5.

2. The other assessment on this module will include participation in a verbal critical discussion whereby the student will be asked to critically analyse theories or methods of crime of crime prevention and models of policing and actively discuss with others their topic and analysis. Students will show understanding of the topic and ability to critically engage with the subject matter through their own comments and comment on other students’ contributions. This assessment will address learning outcomes 1 and 5.

A minimum of 40% must be achieved on every element of assessment for students to pass the module.

Learning for this module will be based around students committing a total of 200 hours, split between 26 hours of direct contact with a tutor; 1.5hours of critical discussions forming part of the summative assessment and 172 hours of directed study. Student will be taught in a mixture of lectures and tutorial session, each having either a two hour lecture or a one-hour whole group lecture per week and a one-hour smaller group tutorial session per week. In the lectures, students will be introduced to the general concepts and theories. Tutorials will be linked to the lecture and involve subjects for discussion and case studies. The purpose of the smaller group sessions is to help students assess their understanding of a topic and to develop their analytical skills.

Formative assessment will include feedback during class discussions.