Applied Criminology

Assessment Objectives :

The applied purpose demands learning related to authentic case studies. It also requires learners to consider how the use and application of their learning impacts on themselves, other individuals, employers, society and the environment.

• The applied purpose will also allow learners to learn in such a way that they develop:

• skills required for independent learning and development

• a range of generic and transferable skills

• the ability to solve problems

• the skills of project based research, development and presentation

• the fundamental ability to work alongside other professionals, in a professional environment

• the ability to apply learning in vocational contexts

Unit 1

Changing Awareness of Crime - Internally assessed coursework

Not all types of crime are alike. What different types of crime take place in our society? What kinds of crime exist about which we know very little, or which are simply not reported to the police and the media? How do we explain people's reluctance to come forward about crimes of which they have been the victim? Some crimes which seem inoffensive, such as counterfeiting of designer goods, have actually been linked to the funding of more serious crime such as terrorism and people trafficking; so why do people turn a ‘blind eye’ to these 'mild' crimes? What methods have governments and other agencies used to raise social awareness of these crimes?

Unit 2

Criminological Theories - Externally assessed

How do we decide what behaviour is criminal? What is the difference between criminal behaviour and deviance? How do we explain why people commit crime? What makes someone a serial killer, or abusive to their own families? Criminologists have produced theoretical explanations of why people commit crime, but which is the most useful? Are these theories relevant to all types of crime? What can we learn from the strengths and weaknesses of each? How can these theories be applied to real life scenarios and real life crimes?

Unit 3

Crime Scene to Courtroom - Internally assessed

What are the roles of personnel involved when a crime is detected? What investigative techniques are available to investigators to help to identify the culprit? Do techniques differ depending on the type of crime being investigated? What happens to a suspect once charged by the police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)? What safeguards are in place to ensure a suspect has a fair trial?

Unit 4

Crime and Punishment - Externally assessed

Why do most of us tend to obey the law even when to do so is against our own interests? What social institutions have we developed to ensure that people do obey laws? What happens to those who violate our legal system? Why do we punish people? How do we punish people? What organisations do we have in our society to control criminality or those who will not abide by the social rules that most of us follow? We spend a great deal of taxpayers' money on social control, so how effective are these organisations in dealing with criminality?

Where can an A Level in Criminology lead?

• policing, criminal justice, social work, the prison service, probation, youth offending, drug/alcohol services and victim support among others.