Criminology I

Course Objectives

The objective of the course is to introduce and familiarize students with the principal theories that attempt to explain crime and criminality. These theories will be grouped under three primary models used to understand crime and Criminology. These are the Rational, Predestined and Victimised Actor Models of Criminology. In addition students will be introduced to theories that combine elements of the three major approaches.

This course will be offered as an option to Pre-Masters students wishing to specialize in law, in their second semester, and will be examined.

Key Learning Outcomes

The aim of this course is to introduce students to the three major theoretical models used to explain Crime and Criminality: the Rational, Predestined and Victimized Actor Models of Criminology.

The key learning outcomes are specified for this course below.

Students who complete the course will:

• have developed an understanding of the key concepts and theories of the Rational Actor Model of Criminology
• have developed an understanding of the key concepts and theories of the Predestined Actor Model of Criminology
• have developed an understanding of the key concepts and theories of the Victimized Actor Model of Criminology
• be able to combine these models to develop a broader theory of crime and criminality
• understand how underlying theoretical assumptions of the Social Sciences change over a period of time
• be able to distinguish the Ideological context within which theories and crime and criminality are often set to understand the impact of the European Union on international and the national law of the United Kingdom

Course Structure

The structure of the Introduction to Criminology I course is set out below.

Introduction to Criminology:

• Definition of crime and Criminology
• Politics and crime
• Attitudes and policies of the three major British political parties towards crime
• Crime Statistics

Social Contact, Classical and Neo-Classical Theories of Crime:

• Early Theories of Crime
• Social Contract & Utilitarian theories of Crime
• Classical and Neo-Classical Theories of Crime

Biological Theories of Criminology:

• Italian Positivist School
• Inherited Criminal characteristics
• Genetic StructureTheory of Criminal Body Types, damage to or Psychoses of the Brain, and Biochemistry
• Socio-biological Theories

Psychological Theories of Crime:

• Psychodynamic Theories
• Behavioural Learning Theories.
• Cognitive Learning Theories

Sociological Theories of Crime:

• Durkheim
• The Chicago School
• Anomie or Strain Theory of Robert K. Merton

Deviant Subculture and Labelling Theories:

• Deviant Subculture Theory
• Social Construction of Crime and Deviant Labelling Theories
• Moral Panics

Environmental Criminology:

• The “Moral Statisticians”, The Chicago School, Environment as a contributor to crime
• Environmental Management, CCTV and crime prevention

Populist Conservative Criminology and Contemporary Rational Actor Theories:

• The Political Right, James Q. Wilson and Right Realism,
• Contemporary Rational Actor Model

Left Realist:

• Origins of Left Realism
• Left Realism and “New Labour”
• Underclass and Social Exclusion

Assessment and Minimum Standards

The method of assessment for the Introduction to Criminology I course will be one piece of coursework in the form of a 1500 to 2000 word essay and an exam. The exam will require students to answer two questions, from six, in a three hour paper. Each question will consist of two short answer questions, of 5 marks each, and an essay question of 40 marks, total 100 marks.

The coursework will make up 30% of the final mark for the course and the exam 70%. The pass mark for the course is 40%.Â

At the end of the course the minimum standards expected of students who have completed the course will be:

• An understanding of the key concepts and ideas that provide the framework for the study of Criminology
• A basic understanding of the theories of crime and criminality within the Rational Actor Model of Criminology
• AÂ basic understanding of the theories of crime and criminality within the Pre-Destined Actor Model of Criminology
• A basic understanding of the theories of crime and criminality within the Victimized Actor Model Criminology
• An appreciation of how external forces such as local Environment and the Media have an impact on crime and criminality
• An awareness of the limitations and critiques of the theoretical explanations of crime and criminality
• An understanding of how theory can be applied to explain crime and criminality
• Observation of how Quantitative Methods can be applied in the Social Sciences to test theoretical propositions
• An appreciation of the multi-disciplined approach in the study of advanced topics
• Use of Academic Skills and Research Methods in researching, writing and presenting coursework

Books recommended for the course

Coleman, C. & Norris, C., (2001). Introducing Criminology. Devon: William Publishing.

Hopkins Burke, R. (2005). An Introduction to Criminological Theory, (2nd Edition), Devon: William Publishing.

Maguire, M., Morgan, R. & Reiner, R. (eds.), (2007). The Oxford Handbook of Criminology, (4th Edition), Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Williams, K. S., (2008), Textbook on Criminology, (6th Edition). Oxford: Oxford University Press.