Criminology: Key Stage 5

About the subject

Criminology is the scientific study of the nature, extent, management, causes, control, consequences, and prevention of criminal behaviour, both on individual and social levels. Criminology draws heavily upon the research of various social science theories as well as scholars of law and incorporates various other disciplines. These include psychology, history, sociology, anthropology, psychiatry and has sub-categories including victimology (studying victims), penology (reviewing prisons), psychological analysis (profiling of crime scenes and perpetrators).

Areas of study include:

• Unit 1 - Changing Awareness f Crime (internal controlled assessment, graded A - E)

  • The types f crime people commit
  • Why certain crimes g unreported and the consequences of this
  • Media representation of crime and the impact on public perception
  • Planning a campaign fr change relating to crime
• Unit 2 - Criminological Theories (90-minute external examination, graded A - E)
  • Comparing criminal behaviour and deviance
  • Biological – looking at how genetics and physiology can be involved in crime
  • Individualistic – learnt behaviour, early experiences and personality types
  • Sociological – influences, social interaction and political influences
  • Assessing how criminological theories/ social changes/ campaigns inform policy development

Testimonials

“The subject criminology is one of the most interesting subjects I take. I really enjoyed the topics within the coursework section and the topics which focused on theories within the exam section. I really enjoyed these as they were interesting to learn and apply to everyday life. This knowledge will also help me in other subjects such as Sociology and Psychology.”  Jasmine Sinclair, Year 12.

“I found criminology to be really interesting. It gave a range of different areas to learn and apply. The CAU (Controlled Assessment Unit) offers something different that no other enrichment offers and allows for a more social interpretation of criminology whereas the written exam gives a focus to the theories around criminology.”  Michael Healey, Year 12.