WJEC Criminolgy

The study of Criminology provides an understanding of the complexity of behaviours and social implications of crimes and criminality and the impact of this on wider social issues, including government policies and initiatives. Students acquire academic skills such as research, report writing and communication along with practical skills including creativity, planning and organisation. Criminology provides the opportunity to apply knowledge to the real world, creating an awareness of the �big picture� and challenging students to hold to account, and question, decisions made on their behalf, encouraging them to engage with the society around them. The course is good preparation for studying the social sciences at university, and also prepares students for work in crime-related contexts such as the law, policing and criminal justice.

Changing awareness of crime: types of crime, perceptions of crime, unreported crime Media representations of crime and official data on crime Crime prevention and awareness campaigns Criminological theories: theories of criminality from biology, psychology and sociology Crime scene to courtroom: the criminal justice system from investigation to verdict � personnel and techniques involved in criminal investigations and courtroom procedures Crime and punishment: law-making, criminal justice, forms and functions of punishmen

In Criminology lessons, students participate in a range of learning activities as they progress through the course. This may involve discussion, independent and group research, along with classroom quizzes. Students research a range of case studies of crimes in society along with how the criminal justice system operates. As part of the formal assessment, students carry out extensive research, write a detailed report and plan a campaign to raise awareness of crime, developing transferable skills for employment. Students maintain a detailed folder of class resources and notes to prepare them for the different modes of assessment used in this course. In addition, students can visit a Criminology conference and benefit from guest speakers who work in the field of crime and criminal justice.