Overview

This module begins by focusing on several theoretical approaches in the contemporary study of crime and victimisation. The theories examined will be relevant to crime prevention strategies and operational policing and include environmental and life-course theories. Wider sociological theories will also be introduced and their value for operational policing and the assessment of various policing models explained.

Introduction to criminology and sociology Introduction to concepts of crime, victimisation and harm Criminal careers and desistance Rational choice theory and situational crime prevention Victimology – risk and vulnerability Victim/Offender overlap and restorative justice Crime prevention – theories and strategies Models of policing and procedural justice

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -D- to D+Assessment is based on the degree of engagement with academic literature and student's ability to summarise and critically analyse theory.For a threshold grade, engagement with the academic literature is weak; the student's ability to summarise theory will be mainly descriptive; and there will be little critical analysis and understanding of how theory relates to policing practice.

-good -C- to B+Assessment is based on the degree of engagement with academic literature and student's ability to summarise and critically analyse theory.For a good and very good grade, there will be good engagement with the academic literature, reflected in the use of a wide range of academic sources; the discussion of the academic theory will go beyond mere description and there will be a critical analysis of theory and how it is applied to policing practice.

-excellent -A- to A+Assessment is based on the degree of engagement with academic literature and student's ability to summarise and critically analyse theory.For an excellent grade, there will be extensive engagement with the relevant academic literature; a sophisticated presentation of academic theory and a well developed critical analysis of theory. Students will show an excellent grasp of how theory relates to practice.

Learning Outcomes

• Examine a range of key concepts and theoretical approaches in criminology

• Examine a range of key concepts and theoretical approaches in victimology

• Examine environmental and life-course theories of offending

• Examine the relationship between criminological theories, crime prevention theories, and crime prevention strategies

• Examine the relationship between criminological theories, operational policing, and the community

• Examine the strengths and weaknesses of different policing models in relation to crime/victimisation and the public