Exam Board: WJEC     
Level: 3

Course Overview

Criminology is the scientific study of criminal behaviour, on individual, social and natural levels, and how it can be managed, controlled and prevented. In particular, the course explores what crime is, how it is socially constructed, who commits crimes and the criminal justice process, once a crime has been committed.  This course will enable you to develop your critical analysis and judgement. It will enable you to articulate arguments effectively in class discussions and written assessments.

Assessment:

This is an Extended Certificate equivalent to one A level. The course is assessed using a combination of internal and external assessments.

Year 1: 50% exam 50% controlled assessment.
Year 2: 50% exam 50% controlled assessment.

Term 1:

• What are the different types of crime and why are certain crimes unreported?
• What are the consequences of unreported crimes?
• How does the Media represent crime? 
• What is the impact of media representation on the public perceptions of crime? 
• How efficient are methods of collecting statistics about crime?

Term 2:

• How can you plan an effective campaign for change relating to crime?
• Preparation for controlled assessment.

Term 3:

• How does criminality differ from deviance? 
• How would you explain the social construction of crime?
• What biological, sociological and psychological factors could cause a person to become a criminal?

Term 4:

• What biological, sociological and psychological factors could cause a person to become a criminal?
• How effective are criminological theories in explaining the causes of criminality?

Term 5:

• In what ways do explanations of criminality influence policy development?
• How have social changes and campaigns affected policy development?
• Preparation for unit 2 assessment.

Term 6:

• How are crimes investigated (personnel and techniques)?
• How is evidence processed?

Term 1:

Unit 3: 

• What are the rights of individuals involved in criminal investigations?
• How do the CPS and a trial work?
• How are the rules of evidence used in criminal cases?
• How do key influences affect the outcome of criminal cases?
• Who are the laypeople in criminal cases?
• How can we evaluate different sources of information for validity in criminal cases?

Term 2:

• What are the different types of outcomes for criminal cases?
• How do prisons work?
• Controlled assessment

Term 3:

• How are laws made and processed in England and Wales?
• How is the CJS in England and Wales organised?
• How do you explain the main models of criminal justice and  the forms of social control?

Term 4:

• What are and how effective are the aims of punishment?
• What are the agents of social control and how effective are they in achieving this?

Term 5:

• Revision for Unit 4. Preparation for final assessment.

Criminal Justice System
Crime Statistics
British Society of Criminology
Criminology Links