- UCAS course code
- LL23
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Course unit details:
Psychology, Crime and Criminal Justice
| Unit code | CRIM10432 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 20 |
| Unit level | Level 1 |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 2 |
| Offered by | School of Social Sciences |
| Available as a free choice unit? | Yes |
Overview
This course explores psychological approaches to understanding crime and anti-social behaviour.
Indicative content: (1) Introduction: Psychology, Crime, Criminology; (2) Evolutionary psychology (3) Heredity; (4) The Brain; (5) Personality; (6) Development; (7) Learning; (8) Cognition; (9) Situations; (10) Course summary.
Aims
This course unit aims to (1) introduce the discipline of psychology as it applies to the study of crime and criminal justice; (2) explore the contribution of psychology to the explanation, prediction and reduction of crime; (3) critically appreciate the strengths and limitations of the featured approaches and literature; (4) develop transferable communications and metacognitive skills, as well as subject-relevant knowledge and understanding.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this unit successful students will be able to: (1) assess the contemporary relevance of psychology to criminology & criminal justice; (2) demonstrate knowledge of a number of psychological theories relevant to understanding crime; (3) think independently and work collaboratively with increased confidence.
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching methods will be flexible and allow us to adapt to changing conditions, however, the common intention across units is to provide a blended offer of the best in online and on-campus teaching that includes: (1) whole-class sessions used for a range of exercises and activities; (2) high quality online learning materials; (3) a tutorial; (4) 1:1 support via a subject-specific contact hour.
Employability skills
- Other
- (i) analyse, critique and (re-)formulate a problem or issue; (ii) rapidly and thoroughly review/rate argument and evidence from targeted bibliographic searches; (iii) plan, structure and present arguments in a variety of written formats and to a strict word limit, (iv) express ideas verbally and organise work effectively in small teams for a variety of written and oral tasks; (v) obtain, manipulate and (re-)present different forms of data; (vi) manage time effectively; (vii) reflect on and improve performance through feedback.
Assessment methods
| Method | Weight |
|---|---|
| Portfolio | 100% |
Feedback methods
Formative feedback (both individual and collective) will be given on (1) on tasks and contribution in class, (2) draft portfolio entries. Summative feedback – a mark contextualised by class-level notes on what constitutes a good response - will be given on the submitted learning portfolio via Blackboard (Grademark).
Recommended reading
Wortley R (2011). Psychological Criminology. London: Routledge.
Study hours
| Scheduled activity hours | |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 20 |
| Tutorials | 10 |
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 70 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Laura Bui | Unit coordinator |
Additional notes
Across their course units each semester, full-time students are expected to devote a ‘working week’ of around 30-35 hours to study. Accordingly each course unit demands around 10-11 hours of study per week consisting of (i) 3 timetabled teacher-led hours, (ii) 7-8 independent study hours devoted to preparation, required and further reading, and note taking.
Information
Restricted to: BA (Criminology) students for which this is compulsory; also available to non-Law first year students.
This course is available to incoming study abroad students.
Pre-requisites: None.
Timetable
See Law School timetable