You will cover a range of topics such as:
Changing Awareness of Crime – Different types of crime, such as hate crime, domestic abuse, honour crime, cybercrime and white-collar crime. Reasons why some crimes tend to go unreported, and the consequences of this for the victim, the offender, and the wider community. How the media represents crime, for example in new reports, TV shows, films and games, and how this impacts on how the public perceive crime. Methods of studying and collecting data on crime. Campaigns for change in the awareness or legal situation of specific crimes.
Criminological Theories – The definition of criminal behaviour and deviance. The social construction of criminality and how our perceptions of what is criminal change over time, culture and situations. Biological theories of criminality, including the role of genes. Individualistic theories of criminality such as the role of childhood experiences. Sociological theories of criminality, including the impact of social structure and labelling. How social change and campaigns lead to changes in the law.
Crime Scene to Courtroom – The process of criminal investigations. Investigative techniques. How evidence is processed. Trial processes.
Crime and Punishment – The processes of law making and the organisation of the criminal justice system. Forms of social control. Aims of punishment. Roles, contributions and effectiveness of agencies of social control.
