Criminology Other

Criminology Other

Qualification: 2 year course

Course type: Level 3 (advanced)

Entry requirements:
3 x GCSE B Grades, must include a grade C in English language. You also need to be studying two of the following AS courses - Sociology, Law and Psychology.

Head of Department: Cara Sharrocks

Course assessment:
Each of the four units is assessed using a different method to encourage you to develop a wider range of independent study and critical thinking skills:

Year 1:
Unit One - Understanding Crime and Deviance - 1 ½ hr examination paper
Unit Two - Understanding Criminal and Deviant Behaviour - Research Report - 1500 words

Year 2:
Unit Three - Controlling Crime - Presentation and Evaluative Report - 300 words
Unit Four - Who Breaks the Law? - Case Study on Set Theme - 1500 words

What can this course offer me?
This brand new and exciting level 3 qualification is designed to enhance your understanding of crime and deviance within our contemporary society. You will be introduced to a wide range of theories that attempt to explain the nature and extent of crime and deviance. You will be looked after by an enthusiastic and committed team of teachers with expertise and a very successful track record in delivering Sociology, Psychology and Law A - Level courses here at KGV.

What will I learn?
You will follow a modular course, with 4 units over the two years:

• You will be introduced to the criminological, sociological and psychological theories surrounding the nature and causes of the crime and deviance in society.
• You will also develop an understanding of the role of the media and the state in defining, creating and controlling crime in relation to current debates, most notably youth crime.
• You will also undertake a detailed examination of the methods used to investigate and measure crime and deviance as well as identifying patterns and trends in offending rates.
• Additionally, you will develop your understanding of the social control and rehabilitation mechanisms, both formal and informal, used to manage crime including a detailed analysis of the role and impact of the criminal justice system.

Year One
Unit One - Understanding Crime and Deviance
Unit Two - Understanding Criminal and Deviant Behaviour

Year Two
Unit Three - Controlling Crime
Unit Four - Who Breaks the Law?

What Makes a good Criminology student?
You will need to be an enthusiastic and motivated student with a genuine interest in understanding human behaviour, especially in relation to crime and deviance. You must like to question and challenge conventional ideas as well as enjoying debating different points of view.

Which other courses link well with this subject?
Ideally, Criminology will suit anyone studying any combination of the Social Sciences: Sociology, Psychology, Law, Politics, and Philosophy. This course will also compliment a number of enrichment studies, most notably Citizenship and Legal Studies.

Future Opportunities
Criminology provides an excellent background for anyone wishing to pursue a career within the criminal justice system and/or with law enforcement agencies e.g. the police force, social worker. Equally it provides a suitable foundation for the study of Criminology, Sociology, Law and other related areas of study in further or higher education.

Is there anything else I need to know?
This course is not an A-Level course. However, it provides a level 3 qualification that carries UCAS points (equivalent to that of a full A-level). It is designed to complement the study of other social science A-Levels.