Courses :: Module, INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINOLOGY

	Overview
	Introduction to Criminology will provide students with a comprehensive overview of key issues in criminology and criminal justice. It will allow for intellectual engagement with questions such as: * What is crime and why does it happen? * How do society and the state interpret and react to crime and deviance? * What is the purpose of punishment and how should it be used? * How might social status influence how we perceive and react to crime? * To what extent do existing approaches to criminal justice represent the most effective and appropriate mechanisms with which to respond to the harm caused by crime? The aim of this module is to provide students with an understanding of criminological thinking and research and, in particular, with knowledge about the operations and limitations of criminal justice processes and institutions. This module will require students to think philosophically, sociologically and empirically about the topics under study, promoting their intellectual development. The module does not focus entirely on Irish criminologists or the Irish criminal justice system � instead, it draws on theoretical and empirical literature from a wide variety of studies, countries and contexts in order to ensure that students develop a well-rounded understanding of criminology and criminal justice around the globe. Some lectures will also be delivered by guest speakers who are either criminological researchers or criminal justice practitioners. Students will be expected to prepare for, attend and participate actively in lectures over the course of the module.

Overview

Introduction to Criminology will provide students with a comprehensive overview of key issues in criminology and criminal justice. It will allow for intellectual engagement with questions such as:

* What is crime and why does it happen?
* How do society and the state interpret and react to crime and deviance?
* What is the purpose of punishment and how should it be used?
* How might social status influence how we perceive and react to crime?
* To what extent do existing approaches to criminal justice represent the most effective and appropriate mechanisms with which to respond to the harm caused by crime?

The aim of this module is to provide students with an understanding of criminological thinking and research and, in particular, with knowledge about the operations and limitations of criminal justice processes and institutions. This module will require students to think philosophically, sociologically and empirically about the topics under study, promoting their intellectual development. The module does not focus entirely on Irish criminologists or the Irish criminal justice system � instead, it draws on theoretical and empirical literature from a wide variety of studies, countries and contexts in order to ensure that students develop a well-rounded understanding of criminology and criminal justice around the globe.

Some lectures will also be delivered by guest speakers who are either criminological researchers or criminal justice practitioners. Students will be expected to prepare for, attend and participate actively in lectures over the course of the module.

	Learning Outcomes
	On successful completion of the module, students should be able to: Critically analyse key concepts such as crime and punishment; Critically discuss some of the key theories and philosophical approaches in the contemporary study of crime and criminal justice; Demonstrate a broad knowledge and critical awareness of the operation of some of the principal institutions and actors within the criminal justice system. Understand and reflect critically on the relative merits of how societies, governments and institutions frame and respond to criminal, deviant and harmful behaviour; Write, think and speak in a reflective and critical manner which highlights intellectual engagement and understanding of how knowledge is constructed in criminology and criminal justice.

Learning Outcomes

	Autumn Supplementals/Resits
	Are supplemental/resit registrations permitted? Yes 40% pass mark.

Autumn Supplementals/Resits

	Additional Reading
	Liebling, A., Maruna, S. and McAra, L. (eds.) (2017). Oxford Handbook of Criminology. (6th ed.) Oxford: Oxford University Press. * Healy, D., Hamilton, C., Daly, Y. and Butler, M. (eds.) (2016). The Routledge Handbook of Irish Criminology. Abingdon: Routledge. * Hale, C., Hayward, K., Wahidin, A. and Wincup. E. (eds.) (2013) Criminology. Oxford: Oxford University Press. * Newburn, T. (2017) Criminology. (3nd ed). Abingdon: Routledge. * Newburn, T. (2009) Key Readings in Criminology. Cullompton: Willan. Students will be provided with supplementary materials on Moodle (Maynooth University’s Virtual Learning Environment) and via lecture slides and will be expected to utilise the Maynooth University website to obtain and read academic materials on criminology and criminal justice.

Additional Reading

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INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINOLOGY

Semester 1

Semester 2