| CODE | CRM1020 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Introduction to Criminology | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Criminology | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The study-unit introduces students to the discipline and study of criminology, by offering a broad overview of key theories, developments, and fields of specialisation. It seeks to explore the causes and consequences of crime by looking at different risk factors as well as the impact of victimisation. It examines the different branches of the Criminal Justice system and examines the processes involved in the prevention, adjudication and punishment of crime. It also examines sentencing principles and goals and different punitive sanctions. It also explores the history of criminology by referring to the main tenants of the pre-classical, classical, positivist and post-modern schools of thought. Study-unit Aims: This study-unit aims at: - introducing students to the field of criminology; - providing a basic understanding of the historical development of criminology; - providing sound knowledge of the different sciences that are applied within criminology; - introducing the multi-perspectival approach to the study of crime - outlining the the 'causes' of criminal behaviour and its consequences for victims and for society as a whole; - introducing the various criminologists and stakeholders who have contributed to the body of knowledge of criminology; - introducing criminological theories; - enhancing students' appreciation of how crime is defined, controlled and punished. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Define crime and deviance; - Compare and contrast different sentencing goals and punitive sanctions; - Describe the roles of the different branches of the criminal justice system; - Describe the different stages of criminal justice proceedings; - Describe the contributions of the Pre-Classical, Classical and Neo-Classical School of Thought; - Describe the contributions of the Positivist and Post-modern Schools of Thought; - Describe the impact of victimisation. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Compare and contrast crime and deviance; - Apply understanding of criminological theory to the implementation of punitive sanctions; - Compare and contrast the different branches of the criminal justice system and explain their role in criminal proceedings; - Apply analytical skills to explain the causes and impact of crime through real life situations; - Evaluate the role of criminology as an academic discipline within the wider socio-economic and political environment and fields of study. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: - Cammiss, S., & Sanders, A. (2021). Sanders and Young's Criminal Justice. Oxford University Press. - Hagan, F.E and Daigle, L.E. (2023). Introduction to Criminology Theories, Methods, and Criminal Behavior (11th ed). Sage Publications Inc. - Liebling, A., Maruna, S. & McAra, L. (Eds.). (2023). The Oxford Handbook of Criminology. (7th ed.) Oxford University Press. - Tibbetts, S.G and Hemmens, C. (2018). Criminological Theory: A Text/Reader (3rd ed.) Sage Publications Inc. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Mary Grace Vella |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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