Criminology and Psychology

Core Modules

Year 1

• Introduction to Criminology

  This module provides you with a general introduction to criminology and forensic psychology. You will explore official, populist, sociological and psychological meanings of crime through study of the development of criminology as a distinctive field of research and scholarship. You will develop sociological understandings of crime and the history of punishment, before turning to forensic psychology and its contribution to understanding offending behaviours, punishment and rehabilitation. 

• Criminal Justice System

  This module introduces you to the development, role, function and operation of the criminal justice system in England and Wales. You will examine the stages of the criminal justice process, and in doing so develop an understanding of the key debates around the punishment of offenders, the process of achieving justice for victims and the theoretical positions on the purpose of punishment. You will also be encouraged to think critically about the treatment of different social groups within the criminal justice process, such as youth offenders, those with mental disorders and white collar criminals. The module comprises of weekly lectures and seminars, where you will have the opportunity to discuss key debates and apply your knowledge of the criminal justice process to case studies.

• Understanding Individuals and Groups

  This course aims to introduce students to the basics of personality and social psychology. The course will start with an introduction to key dynamic personality theories of Freud, followed by Jung. Students will then learn about theories and research on agreession, pro-social behaviour and conformity. In addition, key fundamental topics in social psychology, attitudes and values, will be introduced, as well as cross-cultural psychology and leadership.

• Understanding Perception and Cognition

  This module will provide an introduction to the key theories and research findings regarding Perception and Cognition. This may include topics within perception such as sensory perception as gateway to the world; attentional modulation of perception; illusions as key to reality, brightness, perception of colour, time, motion and depth; auditory perception, touch, taste and smell; the control of eye and head movements as a link between perception and action; and memory processes (both experimental and applied).

   

• Understanding Neuroscience

  The module provides an introduction to the key neuroscience cencepts and research techniques relevant to Psychology.  Topics include the basics of neural function, neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, sensorimotor processing, and research methods used.

• Understanding Mental Health and Wellbeing

  This module provides an introduction to the concept of abnormal psychology. The course starts with developing an understanding and knowledge about how we define abnormality in psychology and how this has developed and changed throughout history. Different approaches to understanding abnormal psychology are covered, starting with the biomedical model of abnormality. Following this, social and cultural approaches to abnormality are covered, followed by the philosophy of abnormality. Psychodynamic, behavioural and cognitive approaches to abnormality are also covered in detail. There is a focus on psychological disorders as we currently classify them in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The hierarchy of evidence in clinical psychology research is also covered.

• Academic Integrity

  This module will describe the key principles of academic integrity, focusing on university assignments. Plagiarism, collusion and commissioning will be described as activities that undermine academic integrity, and the possible consequences of engaging in such activities will be described. Activities, with feedback, will provide you with opportunities to reflect and develop your understanding of academic integrity principles.

   

Year 2

• Research Methods for Psychologists
• Key Perspectives and Debates in Criminology

  This module will enable you to develop detailed and more critical understandings of core criminological theory and key issues within the discipline. Drawing on sociological, biological and psychological perspectives as a way of understanding criminal behaviour, you will consider key issues such as drug use, organised crime, white collar crime and terrorism. Lectures and seminars promote the application of these theoretical perspectives through case studies and empirical research.

• Social Psychology

  In this module, you will develop an understanding of the key topics in social psychology, with a particular focus on topics that highlight over-arching debates within this area of study. You will look at how social psychology can be applied to real-world issues, examining the social psychology of relationships, the self-concept, prejudice and group conflict, attribution theory, group decision-making, situational perspectives on evil, and non-verbal behaviour and social cognition.

• Developmental Psychology

  In this module you will develop an understanding of cognitive development, including intelligence across the lifespan, language development, and number representation, and the development of social understanding, including social cognition, emotional development, prejudice, and adolescence. You will look in depth at the research techniques used in developmental psychology, as well as enhancing your ability to conduct critical analyses.

• Personality and Individual Differences

  In this module you will examine theory and research in key areas of personality and individual differences. You will explore the difference between these two areas of study, and become equipped with methods of evaluating theories of personality. You will review key topics in personality and individual differences, with consideration for the relations between them in order to develop your integrative understanding of personality.

• Brain and Behaviour

  In this module you will develop an understanding of why modern psychology requires an understanding of neuroscience. You will look at neuronal structure, function and information transmission, and the organisation of the nervous system and how this reflects the principles of information processing. You will examine the methods used to study structure and information processing in the brain, becoming familiar with the brain's functional architectures and the neural basis of learning. You will also consider brain evolution, and the biology and psychopharmacology of reward, reinforcement and psychological disorders.

Year 3

• Dissertation
• Cognitive Psychology

  This module will provide you with an overview of the key theoretical and empirical issues in cognitive psychology, including selective attention, multisensory perception and problem solving. You will look at reasoning, judgement and blindsight, and examine the impact of unilateral neglect and attention for action.

Optional Modules

There are a number of optional course modules available during your degree studies. The following is a selection of optional course modules that are likely to be available. Please note that although the College will keep changes to a minimum, new modules may be offered or existing modules may be withdrawn, for example, in response to a change in staff. Applicants will be informed if any significant changes need to be made.

Year 1

• All modules are core

Year 2

• All modules are core

Year 3

• Crime, Media and Culture
• Crime and Literature
• Critical Readings in Criminology
• Race, Crime and Justice
• Risk Insecurity and Terrorism Part 1

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the different criminological, sociological and psychological appraoches to the study of terrorism. You will gain an oversight of terrorism within the content of current policy and global governance, with specific reference to international law and human rights. You will examine debates on the threats posed by terrorism, considering the emergence of the new terrorism in Britain.

• Risk Insecurity and Terrorism Part 2

  In this module you will develop an understanding of terrorism on the global stage, examining different perspectives on its history and development, starting with the emergence of new terrorism in the post 9/11 era. You will analyse global repsonses to terrorism, considering the differentiated impact of terrorism on a global scale, and the way in which fear of terrorism can be used as an instrument of political power by various state agencies. 

• Prisons

  In this module you will develop an understanding of the role, function and operation of prisons in England and Wales. You will think critically about the nature of imprisonment and the effectiveness of the prison system, using research, government reports, prisoners' account and other relevant sources to analyse recent policy initiatives.

• Drugs, Crime and Society

  In this module you will develop a knowledge of illicit drugs, their effects and how they have been used cross-culturally through time. You will gain an insight into the sociological and psychological theories that seeks to explain addiction and problem drug use, with practical knowledge of how drug users and drug markets have been controlled through policy, enforcement and legislation.

• Gender, Sexuality and Crime

  In this module you will develop an understanding of key sociological, psychological and criminal-legal approaches to gender and sexuality. You will think critically about how theories of gender and sexuality have informed the study of crime and shaped our understanding of sexual offences, and the relationship between gender, sexuality and criminal justice, from the 19^thcentury to the present day. You will look at case studies that have shaped the study of gender, sexuality, and crime hisotrically and in the present day, such as the violations perpetrated against women through the diagnosis of 'hysteria', the development of the law of rape, sociological and psychological appraoches to sex offenders, and debates about the crimialisation of pornography.

• Sentencing and Penal Policy

  This module will introduce you to sentencing, its key principles, and current issues, such as the need for a defensible penal policy, the effects of expansionism, the need for reductionism and the desire to abolish. You gain an overview of the different types of sentences currently available, considering the potential for discrimination in sentencing, and the role of victims in the sentencing process. You will look at penal policy and the current penal crisis, critically evaluating a particular area of sentencing and developing a policy paper to propose reform to the current penal policy.

• Victims and Witnesses

  This module explores the current procedures in the UK surrounding the treatment of witnesses and victims of crime. You will examine issues surrounding vulnerable people, children, adults, and older people with respect to the different professional responses required. You will look at victims and witnesses in a historical context, identifying milestones that highlight key development. You will consider the long term consequences of involvement in the legal system, and look at research on victims and witnesses from a wide range of disciplines.

• Communication in the Social World

  To provide a good understanding of communication, the skill that is the basis of social interaction, and that is argued to have allowed humans to create culture and advanced technology. The module will cover all aspects of communication – from understanding why language exists at all and how it influences our thoughts and behaviour, to understanding how we communicate with others, and what can go wrong. This module will provide the basis for understanding the importance of communication in society as a first step for understanding how to evaluate it, exploit it, and improve it.

• Advanced Developmental Psychology

  This advanced course option offers topical treatments of aspects of cognitive and social development (infancy to adolescence) not otherwise covered in introductory developmental psychology courses. One overarching theme is cognitive development, particularly abstract or symbolic thinking, including object representation, language, drawing, and pretend play. Other cognitive topics include autobiographical memory development and executive functioning development. Another overarching theme focuses on the social contexts of development, including how children negotiate their relationships with peers, how values develop in childhood and adolescence, and what neuroscience can tell us about social cognition in adolescence.

• Health Psychology and Wellbeing

  This module develops understanding of how to identify research papers relevant to a health psychology topic, techniques to summarise and evaluate published evidence, relating to a health psychology, how to apply health psychology theory to a practical problem and how to describe and think critically about a number of health psychology theories, models and concepts.

• Social Psychology in the Real World

  This advanced-level social psychology module explores the application of social psychology to a range of real-world issues, including driver behaviour, persuasion and propaganda, religiosity, cyber-behaviour and the effects of media violence and pornography. Key theoretical themes drawn upon are attitudes, group behaviour and identity, and some topics are addressed using a multi-disciplinary approach encompassing anthropology, political science and sociology, as well as social psychology.

• Adult Psychopathology

  This module provides an overview of the historical context, models and classifications within psychopathology, followed by 8 lectures specific to adult psychopathological issues, e.g. psychosis, eating disorders, anxiety disorders, and others. The final lecture will provide a summary and revision with the assistance from a MC quiz.

• Developmental Disorders

  This course uses the neuroconstructivist framework to study disorders of known genetic origin (Down syndrome, Fragile X, William syndrome) and multifactorial disorders such as ADHD, autism spectrum conditions, reading disorders, and specific language impairment. Core features of each disorder and methods for assessment and diagnosis are described. There is an emphasis on cross-syndrome comparisons and understanding the contributions of genes and environment to the wide variation in behavioural and cognitive profiles in different clinical conditions.

• Occupational and Organisational Psychology

  The course provides an introduction to key concepts and research techniques relevant to Occupational and Organizational Psychology. Topics include personnel selection and assessment, employee motivation, and workplace affairs.

• Criminal and Forensic Psychology

  This course gives an overview of the contributions from applied cognitive, social, forensic psychology and criminal psychology to the understanding of witness and criminal behaviour. It examines the evidence from child witnesses and impact of crime on victims of sexual offences and provides an understanding of the implications of forensic psychology in the justice system. You will be expected to demonstrate awareness of current theories and research related to witness and criminal behaviour. You will discuss issues related to the current state of knowledge on criminal behaviour and be critical about current incidents, research and media influences. Finally you will appreciate the contribution of psychological research in investigation of witness evidence and detection of crime within the Criminal Justice System.

• Educational Psychology

  This module includes lectures and readings covering classical and contemporary approaches in educational psychology. These may include work on gender and diversity in education, learning and classroom interaction, intelligence and motivation, learning disorders and special educational needs, assessment, attainment, socio-emotional approaches to development and learning, psychological perspectives on education at different levels/ages.

• Psychology of Love, Death and Meaning

  Why are we here? How should we live our lives? What happens after we die? These are all uniquely human questions brought about by our amazing capacity for self-awareness. To fully appreciate and understand human behaviour, we must first start to ask the questions about what strikes at the heart of the human condition. This module aims to encapsulate some issues that are thought to be at the essence of being human. The quest for love, our need for meaning, and the terror of death. Each lecture provides an overview to some of the ways that these basic aspects of the human psyche plays out in our lives, ranging from clinical/health (e.g., risky behaviours, depression, grief), social (e.g., prejudice, interpersonal relationships, identity) to environmental (e.g., climate change).

• Psychology of Brain Injury

  This module aims to equip students with a thorough understanding of the causes and consequences of brain damage in humans. The course covers how the study of individuals with brain damage can lead to a better understanding of human brain function and develops knowledge on the core ideas of recovery and neuro-rehabilitation.