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Expand+Criminology is a subdivision of the larger discipline fields of sociology and is contextualised through its relationship to economics, anthropology, psychiatry, biology, statistics, law, psychology and penology.
In essence criminology therefore ha...
Hide-Criminology is a subdivision of the larger discipline fields of sociology and is contextualised through its relationship to economics, anthropology, psychiatry, biology, statistics, law, psychology and penology.
In essence criminology therefore has a core rationale which is based within the scientific study of crime and consequently four different perspectives may be reflected upon, considered, and examined in establishing a critical understanding of the discipline and its contexts; namely the legal, political, sociological, and psychological.
Each of these perspectives and contexts requires a foundation body of knowledge and a critical framework in order to fully comprehend the concepts underlying the discipline and their interpretive values, current understanding, and contemporary relevance. The module introduces these and explores the core relationships between them.
Initially, the concept of criminology reveals itself as concerned with accessing the study of crime from a an established legal point of view. This means also that criminal behaviour is examined as it is in violation of the law. Sometimes this means that criminologists will evaluate the laws themselves, while at other times criminologists will examine how criminal laws are created by criminal activities.
The module also examines the concepts and identity of crime from a political perspective. Here crime is deemed to be caused by breaking laws created by powerful political groups. These laws indicate illegal behaviour and in this context certain laws do not always relate to what one might naturally think of as ethical or morally defined values related to interpretations of right and wrong.
Thirdly the module considers and evaluates sociological perspectives which impact on our understanding of Criminology and explores the social, political, and economic problems which may contribute to the identity of crime within contemporary environments. In discussing this, and the other module perspectives, case study examples including the consideration of:- home situations; employment/non-employment contexts; race and racial societal values and contexts; education levels; social and political situations are explored in order to evaluate and analyse the definitions of Criminology, and the position, rationale, and identity of offender(s) and the committing of crimes.
The module finally critically analyses a keynote perspective essential to the rigorous comprehension of criminology within contemporary society, one which is frequently considered only in a cursory manner in traditional criminology courses.
This is the the psychological perspective. Within a psychological viewpoint, crime is normally viewed or explained as a form of problem behaviour which is due to an offender’s inability to live in harmony with the environment due to aberrant psychological phenomena that are peculiar to that individual.
In addressing this interpretation and definition, and its continuing relevance within todays societies, the module explores the important core relationship with Forensic Psychology in order to more effectively establish a rigourous understanding of the discipline and the subjects and fields which make it up.
Forensic Psychology is defined by the American Psychological Association (APA) as the application of clinical psychology to the legal arena (encompassing legal institutions and the people who come in contact with the law).
The module explores the relationship between the conceptual but cognate subject/field areas of criminology and forensic psychology and evaluates the nature of their relationship and the importance of understanding the contribution which both make to our understanding of the coherent discipline of Criminology.
The module consequently discusses the critical conceptual and applications overlaps between the criminological and psychological in society, the workplace and the professions, and addresses a relationship barrier which has been largely overlooked by many programmes which tend to focus on each field area as a separate entity rather then exploring the important relationship between them.
This module aims to bridge that gap and provide learners with an applied academic experience that covers both of these related field areas.
The module is therefore designed to broaden opportunities for individual CPD development; workplace skills development; further academic development and study; and enhanced employment opportunities within the related careers and allied professions.
The module is also aimed at providing a formal qualification in areas which will contribute to a greater breadth of choices for student/learners who may wish to subsequently pursue further academic qualifications in either Criminology or Forensic Psychology.
The applications which emerge from the study of these subject areas clearly have applications across a wide range of sectors in modern society including central and local government, the police and prison services, the court services, security services, and non-profit-making organisations, including the Health Service Executive (HSE) educational institutions and charities that work with young offenders or victims of crime.
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