CM1S14 - Criminological Theory 01 Sep 2024 - 31 Aug 2025 | Version 2

Associated Module Information

Module Code: CM1S14
Module Title: Criminological Theory
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Policing and Criminology
Faculty Sub Group: Post Compulsory Education
Module Leader: Ian McKim
Module Team: Sara Davies, Zoe Cross
First Intended Intake: Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 4
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh:
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes:
HECOS Code Weighting:

Document Version Information

Version 2
Valid From 01 Sep 2024
Valid To 31 Aug 2025

Module Aims

• To introduce students to the diverse range of explanations for crime and criminality
• To enhance students understanding of the historical development of criminological theory
• To examine both the historical and contemporary influence of criminological theory on criminal justice policy.

Content Summary

This module will provide students with the opportunity to study why people commit crime, and how explanations for criminality and deviance have evolved through time. In this respect, students will develop an understanding of the philosophical issues that form the basis of the classicism versus positivism debate: do offenders choose to commit crime, or their behaviour is determined/influenced by biological, psychological, sociological and other factors that remain beyond their control? This module will take account of the theories that have gained credence over the course of the last century, and have contributed to the emergence of criminology as a distinct academic discipline: from Robert Merton's 'strain' to the 'Marxist' or 'radical' criminology of the late twentieth century, to contemporary 'integrated' theories of crime and criminality. This module will demonstrate the importance and necessity of theory in the criminological and criminal justice enterprise.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 24
Seminar 24
Independent Study 72
Directed Study 80
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Demonstrate a broad understanding of the development of contemporary criminological theory
LO2 Critically evaluate numerous theories of crime and criminality, taking into account weaknesses, strengths and explanatory power.
LO3 Demonstrate a broad understanding of how criminological theory has influenced criminal justice policy.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Written Examination Multiple Choice Questions - Examination (EX)1 One 60 minute multiple choice examination (50%) demonstrating a broad knowledge base across criminological theory as covered by the module 60 N/A 50 No 40
Written Assignment (CW) Essay (CW) 1 One 2000 word essay (50%) demonstrating a sound analytical understanding of one of the key theories/criminological issues examined in the module 0 2000 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2 LO3
Multiple Choice Questions - Examination (EX)1 ✔ ✔ ✔
Essay (CW) 1 ✔ ✔ ✔

Reading List

1 Textbooks
2 Brookman, F., Maguire, M. Pierpoint, H. and Bennett, T. (2010) A Handbook of Crime, Devon: Willan.
3 Burke, R. (2001) An Introduction to Criminological Theory, Devon: Willan.

4 Chamberlain, J. (2015) Criminological Theory in Context, London: Sage
5 Cohen, A., (1970) “Multiple Factor Approaches” in the Sociology of Crime and Delinquency, Edited by Wolfgang et al, London: John Wiley.
6 Croall, H. (1998) Crime and Society in Britain, London: Longman.
7 Gottfredson, M. and Hirschi, T. (1990) A General Theory of Crime, California: Stanford University (Ch.1).
8 Hayward, K. Maruna, S. and Mooney, J. (2010) Fifty Key Thinkers in Criminology, Oxon: Routledge.
9 Lilly, J.R., Cullen, F., and Ball, R. (2011), Criminological Theory. London: Sage.
10 Newburn, T. (2007), Criminology, Devon: Willan.
11 Williams, K. (2004) Textbook on Criminology, Oxford University Press.
12  Bernard, T. and Snipes, B. and Gerould, J. (2009) Vold's Theoretical Criminology, Oxford: Oxford
13 University Press.
14 Journals
15 • British Journal of Criminology
16 • Criminology
17 • European Journal of Criminology
18 • Howard Journal of Criminal Justice
19 • International Criminal Justice Review
20 • International Journal of the Sociology of Law
21 • Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology
22 • Journal of International Criminal Justice
23 • Theoretical Criminology
24 • Western Criminology Review
25 Websites
26 Australian Institute of Criminology: www.aic.gov.au
27 BBC On-line: www.bbc.co.uk
28 Crime Concern: www.crimeconcern.org.uk
29 Crime Reduction: www.crimereduction.gov.uk
30 Guardian Unlimited: www.guardian.co.uk
31 Home Office: www.homeoffice.gov.uk
32 Criminal Justice Online: www.cjsonline.org
33 Police Reform: www.policereform.gov.uk
34 Privacy International: www.privacyinternational.org
35 Surveillance and Society: www.surveillance-and-society.org
36 Wired: www.wired.com
37 Electronic Databases
38 Applied Social Science Index and Abstract (ASSIA)
39 Census Data Archive40 Criminal Justice Abstracts
40 Ingenta
41 Regard
42 Other Sources
43 Blackboard