191-414 Psychology and Criminal Justice

37.5 points of second/third year criminology subjects for third year. Admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth year honours in criminology.

This subject aims to provide criminology students with an introduction to psychology as it has been applied to crime and criminal justice. The first part of this subject examines psychological perspectives on the offender, ranging from the examination of offenders' individual characteristics, such as intelligence, to integrated theories of offending behaviour. The second part turns attention to the criminal justice system itself, the actors who work to make the system function and the perspectives that shape the system's operation. By the end of the subject students should be familiar with the psychological perspective on human and organisational behaviour and be able to critically evaluate the contribution of psychological theory to the understanding of criminological phenomena.

• have highly developed cognitive, analytical and problem-solving skills;

• have an advanced understanding of complex concepts and the ability to express them lucidly in writing and orally;

• have an ability to plan work and to use time effectively;

• have sophisticated awareness of cultural, ethnic and gender diversities and their implications.

An essay of 2000 words (3000 words for fourth year students) 50% (due during semester), a 1-hour class test of 1000 words 25% (due mid-semester) and a 1000 word take-home exam 25% (due on the first day of the examination period).