Criminology Department Curriculum Plan

Unit 1 comprises an understanding of different types of crime and how they are categorised according to victim, offender, deviancy, and public awareness. This then expands into reasons for unreported crime and the consequences of unreported crime. (AC1.1-1.3). 

Media representation of crime and the consequences of such follows, with discussion developed with case studies such as the mods & rockers and the 2011 riots. (AC1.4 – 1.5). The statistical analysis and the ‘dark figure of crime’ make up AC1.6, followed by an extensive look at campaigns for change in the context of crime, such as Sarah’s Law. (AC2.1&2.2).

Learning objective 3 teaches learners how to create their own campaign for change in relation to crime.

Unit 2 starts with a nuanced understanding of the difference between crime and deviance, before an in-depth look at how crime has changed across time, place and culture. (AC1.1-1.2). LO2 & LO3 then comprise the bulk of Unit 2 – understanding and evaluating criminological theories. Social, biological and individualistic theories of why people become criminals are explored, as well as evaluating each theory and applying them to novel scenarios.

LO4 covers how theories in LO2 link to changes in policy, i.e., broken windows theory leading to a strategy of zero tolerance policing.

Students will be set research tasks to broaden understanding of real-world application of the content covered in lesson.

Unit 1 - Students to complete assessment criteria drafts after every assessment criteria covered in lesson.

Unit 2 – students will complete an exam question every 2 weeks

Unit 3 begins with an extensive look at personnel and techniques used in criminal investigation (AC1.1-1.2). LO2 and LO3 are primarily based around the processes of courts and the court system, finishing with assessing case studies for validity and reliability, a skills students will apply unseen in their controlled assessment.

Unit 4 begins with an overview of the justice system, before extensive understanding and analysis of each criminal agency in the UK, including the police, CPS, probation service and the prison service. (LO3)

Unit 4 will also cover the nature of punishment, whether or not prison can be considered effective, and models of justice in the UK.

Students will be set research tasks to broaden understanding of real-world application of the content covered in lesson.

Unit 1 - Students to complete assessment criteria drafts after every assessment criteria covered in lesson.

Unit 2 – students will complete an exam question every 2 weeks