Criminology and Criminal Justice - BA Hons (Lancaster University)

CCJ301 Dissertation (40 credits) provides students with the opportunity to put their knowledge into practice. Using knowledge gained from the Foundation Degree students formulate a research question which they then can investigate either through secondary or primary data collection. It is hoped that students will link their dissertation question to crime in the local area of Blackpool or the North West. Research for the dissertation will link with the PDP process which is integral to the BA programme in the top up year.

CCJ302 Criminological Psychology (20 credits) develop an understanding of the relationship that exists between Criminology and Psychology and the way in which these two distinct disciplines interact and complement each other. Both Criminology and Psychology are interested in crime, criminal behaviour and criminality, the criminal psychology module, therefore seeks to build on this already existing relationship and offer a programme that acknowledges the evolving nature of the subject area and the theoretical and methodological developments that ensue. Reflecting rapid social change and the increasing cross-fertilisation of ideas and methods between the two disciplines, the Criminal Psychology module will briefly examine different theories of offending before examining the psychology of violent crime in some detail. During this Criminal Psychology course we also examine the psychology of terrorist crimes and ponder the question of whether there is a terrorist personality.

CCJ303 Criminal Law and Human Rights (20 credits) focuses on the analysis of the legal definitions for selected criminal offences and defences and an insight into relevant cases. The module aims to introduce students to substantive criminal law. The course explores various offences and defences including: theft, robbery, burglary, blackmail, fraud, making off without payment, criminal damage, Intoxication, duress, duress of circumstances, self-defence/ prevention of crime. This course also incorporates an introduction to human rights in the English Legal System.

CCJ304 Applied Criminology (20 credits) provide students with opportunities to identify and explore new perspectives and ways of thinking about crime and justice in the field of criminology and to examine the value of doing so. A key aim of the module is to develop student’s proficiency in the practice of critique. This includes developing the ability to identify underlying theoretical perspectives and ideologies that inform critical theory, to question taken-for-granted assumptions within the field of crime and justice and to construct clear, logical arguments informed by theory.

CCJ305 Issues and Debates in Criminology (20 credits) the first part of the syllabus will focus on Criminology beyond ‘crime’. Students will examine the notion of ‘social harm’ as an alternative to the legal definition of ‘crime’. Students will also consider developments in Green Criminology, which have sought to examine the problems of global environmental harm and the myriad interactions between human beings and the natural environment, thus bringing in the issue of sustainability.

Students will also consider the problems associated with state-inflicted violence and state violations of human rights, and be introduced to the concept of ‘governance’ and the heuristic devices it offers to understanding the technologies and apparatuses of state governing.

The module will proceed to focus on Criminalisation and state strategies of control.Students will be required to think more deeply about the way societies are ‘governed’ by considering the principles and values on which particular political regimes attempt to build and maintain public confidence or establish a seat of power. Here students will be introduced to the notion of ‘the criminology of the Other’ and the ways that certain political or state regimes actively employ policies of inclusion or exclusion in their strategies of governance and in the name of pursuing human security.