CM4S100 - Criminological Theories 01 Sep 2023 - 31 Aug 2029 | Version 2

Associated Module Information

Module Code: CM4S100
Module Title: Criminological Theories
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Policing and Criminology
Faculty Sub Group: Post Compulsory Education
Module Leader: Ian McKim
Module Team: Helen Martin, Daniel Welch
First Intended Intake: SEP 2019 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100484 - criminology
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 2
Valid From 01 Sep 2023
Valid To 31 Aug 2029

Module Aims

To develop deep knowledge of key criminological theoretical models, and to critically analyse the disciplinary, social and political contexts within which they have been developed in the Global North.

To critically analyse the relationships between criminological theory, empirical criminological knowledge, and criminal justice policy.

Content Summary

Criminological theory addresses one of criminology’s fundamental questions: why do some individuals get involved in crime and deviance? In attempting to answer this complex question, criminological theorists have produced different theories developed in different disciplinary, social and political contexts in the Global North. Thus, this module will focus on the following topics: the foundations of modern criminological thought – the Classical and the Positivist Schools; strain, sub-cultural, social control, labelling and Marxist theories and the social, political and cultural contexts in which they developed; rational choice and routine activities perspectives; republican criminology; developmental and integrated theories; the ‘real-world’ application of criminological theory and its impact on modern criminal justice and public policy.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Practical classes and workshops 28
Work based learning 155
Directed Study 15
Active/Simulation Based 2
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 To analyse and critically evaluate the contexts, consequences, and relationships between key criminological theoretical models.
LO2 To understand and critically evaluate the relationship between criminological theory, empirical criminological research and the development of criminal justice policy and practice.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Essay 1 An extended essay focused on a critical analysis of a selected theory of crime, and its practical implication to criminal justice policy. The theoretical and practical dimensions of the essay will fulfil learning outcomes 1 and 2. 0 3500 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Essay 1

Reading List

Indicative Readings:

Akers, R., Sellers, C.? Jennings, W.?(2021) Criminological Theories: Introduction, Evaluation, and Application (8h Edition), Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Lilly, R. et al (2019) Criminological Theory: Contexts and Consequences, 7th Ed., California: Sage.

Snipes, B., Bernard, T., Gerould, E. (2020) Vold’s Theoretical Criminology, Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Wardak, A. (2018) Social Control and Deviance: A South Asian Community in Scotland, 2ed Ed., Aldershot: Ashgate.

Carrington, K., Russell H., Sozzo, M. (2018) The Palgrave Handbook of Criminology and the Global South, Cham: Palgrave

Relevant Websites:

British Journal of Criminology: https://academic.oup.com/bjc

European Journal of Criminology: https://journals.sagepub.com/description/EUC

Home Office: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/

Howard League for Penal Reform: http://www.howardleague.org/

Theoretical Criminology: https://journals.sagepub.com/description/TCR