Diploma in Criminology

Course details

This programme introduces students to the study of all aspects of crime in our society. It takes the student from basic theories in criminology through to in-depth analysis of the main causes of crime and the profiles of criminals. It also incorporates an examination of the Criminal Justice System both in a domestic and international context.

Programme Aims and Objectives

The programme has been designed to cater for individuals who wish to increase their understanding of this fascinating and relevant topic. In the past the course has been attended by a broad spectrum of participants from those who work in the area of law enforcement and security to those students who want to gain an insight into the theories and principles that apply to criminal justice. Students will study modern day criminal statistics and identify the particular sections of the community that commit crime and their victims.

Course Structure

This course is delivered over a ten week period, one evening per week, through lectures which promote class interaction and participation in what is a controversial topic that can generate varied and diverse views.

Assessment

To be awarded the Diploma in Criminology a student will be required to complete a written assignment (100%).

Programme Content

Introduction to Criminology

The course commences by examining the components of crime and seeks to define criminology by exploring some of its basic theories including Classicism and Positivism.

Media and the Law

What influence do the media have in relation to our perception of crime in the modern world? Here students will examine and discuss the communication of crime in our multi-media world and the impact different methods of reporting can have on our attitudes towards crime.

The Irish Justice System

From the Courts System to the Prison System students will examine the various structures within which our society deals with crime and criminals in a practical context.

Drugs

This topic includes the identification and classification of illicit drugs that are available in Ireland and throughout the world. It also examines the effects they have on individuals, their methods of use, their prevalence, production and marketing.

Violence

The concept of violence is defined and students will examine what this means in modern Ireland by exploring the various types of violent crime that exist including murder, manslaughter and assault.

Crime and the Wider Community

Students will be asked to examine and assess the role of the community in crime prevention. While the Gardaí are the main component of the State in this context, students will investigate whether crime prevention has a wider dimension that incorporates each and every citizen.

Organised Crime

This includes an examination of crime across borders and how Irish criminals now work out of many EU and global bases. In the domestic context students will be asked to assess whether the methods used to tackle organised crime, including the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB), are working.

Crime and Young People

Students will examine the various methods used to deal with youth crime including the concept of restorative justice.The Children’s Court and ASBOs will also be discussed in detail.

Forensic Psychology and Criminal Profiling

An examination of the concept of Forensic Psychology and how it works; from basic theories and principles, through research, understanding and explaining results, to the actual application of psychological techniques and how they link to criminal theory. Students will also examine what is meant by criminal profiling, and how the use of scientific methods, logical reasoning, sources of information on people, criminology, victimology and experience or skill is employed to interpret the events that surround the commission of a crime.

Terrorism

This lecture aims to define terrorism and examines the main methods and strategies employed by modern day terrorists including the relatively recent concept of the suicide bomber. We will also examine who these people are and assess the reasons for the employment of these extreme methods.