Examination Board: WJEC
What Will I learn?
Not all types of crime are alike. What different types of crime take place in our society? How do we decide what behaviour is criminal? What is the difference between criminal behaviour and deviance? How do we explain why people commit crime? What happens to those who commit a crime? Why and how do we punish people? What organisations do we have in our society to control criminality?
Criminology (from Latin crīmen, "accusation"; and Greek -λογία, -logia) is the scientific study of criminal behaviour, on individual, social and natural levels, and how it can be managed, controlled and prevented.
This course will enable students to use theories of criminality to analyse criminal situations and make recommendations for policy. Students also develop the knowledge and skills to research policy in practice, assess campaigns for changes in awareness and examine information to review verdicts in criminal cases.
How Am I Assessed?
Unit 1 (controlled assessment): Changing Awareness of Crime: The focus of the unit is on unreported crime and the consequences of such crimes. The unit will also introduce media representation of crime and how campaigns for change can raise awareness of unreported crimes in society.
Unit 2 (exam): Criminological Theories: The focus of Unit 2 is on why people commit crime and includes a study of a range of theories of criminality.
Unit 3 (controlled assessment): Crime Scene to Courtroom: The focus of Unit 3 is the Criminal Justice System from the identification of the crime through to the verdict. This unit will allow students to gain the understanding and skills to be able to examine the validity of verdicts given in criminal cases.
Unit 4 (exam): Crime and Punishment: The focus of Unit 4 is to apply understanding of theories and processes of bringing the accused to court. Students will be able to evaluate the effectiveness of social control such as prison, crime prevention strategies and community policing.
What Career Options Do I Have?
The qualification enables students to gain the required understanding and skills to be able to consider employment within some aspects of the criminal justice system, e.g. the National Probation Service, the Courts and Tribunals Service or the National Offender Management Service alongside various careers within the Police Force.