The learning outcomes of the Criminology module are designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the field of criminology, its interdisciplinary nature, and its role in understanding and addressing crime and deviance. If you complete the module successfully you should be able to:
Understand the interdisciplinary heritage of criminology: You should be able to understand the interdisciplinary nature of criminology and recognise how different academic disciplines have influenced the development of various schools of thought within the field.
Describe sources of information on crime: You should be capable of describing the different sources of information available to academics, policymakers, and the public for studying and understanding crime.
Recognise the contested nature of crime: You should be able to understand that the definition of what constitutes a crime is often contested, and you should be able to critically engage with the various perspectives on this issue.
Describe and analyse different schools of thought on crime: You should be able to describe the main arguments put forth by various schools of thought in explaining crime and critically analyse the differences between these perspectives.
Describe perspectives on punishment: You should be able to describe different perspectives on the role of punishment in society and understand the various functions that punishment might be thought to serve.
Distinguish between conceptual frames of reference: You should be able to distinguish between different conceptual frames of reference in criminology and compare and contrast their strengths and weaknesses.
Engage with definitional and conceptual issues: You should be able to engage with definitional and conceptual issues related to crime, deviance, and control, fostering a deeper understanding of these key concepts.
Analyse popular perceptions of crime and punishment: You should have the ability to analyse popular perceptions of crime and punishment and subject these perceptions to critical analysis, recognising the influence of media and public discourse.
Utilise tools and resources for studying crime: You should be able to effectively use a range of tools and resources available for the study of crime and its control, including research methods and data sources.
These learning outcomes aim to prepare you for a comprehensive understanding of criminology as a field of study, enabling you to critically analyse and engage with key concepts, theories, and perspectives related to crime, deviance, and societal responses to these issues. These skills are valuable for individuals pursuing careers in criminology, criminal justice, policy analysis, and related fields.
You can study this module with us for free.
