Module: Criminology

Module Specifications

Academic Year 2026 - 2027

Module Title	Criminology
Module Code	LAW1099
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	Law & Government
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

Criminology is concerned with examining the causes and consequences of crime and criminal behaviour. This module introduces students to foundational and contemporary criminological theories that explain crime, deviance, and social control, ranging from classical perspectives to modern critical approaches. Students critically evaluate the assumptions, strengths, and limitations of each theory, and consider their relevance to current debates in criminal justice and social policy.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify and explain major criminological theories and their historical development
2. Apply criminological theories to contemporary criminal justice issues
3. Critically evaluate theoretical perspectives in relation to crime trends and criminal justice practices
4. Develop critical research skills by analysing and evaluating criminological literature and evidence

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Assignment Completion	35	No Description
Independent Study	66	No Description
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	12161	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	100%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Lauren O'Connell	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Formal Examination	n/a	100%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Indicative Content:
Classical Criminology Positivism Labelling Theory Critical Criminology Risk and Social Control Feminist Criminology Green Criminology

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Tim Newburn: 2017, Criminology, Routledge, 9781317244257
Alex R. Piquero: 2015, The Handbook of Criminological Theory, John Wiley & Sons, 9781118512326
Richard Wortley,Michael Townsley: 2016, Environmental Criminology and Crime Analysis, Taylor & Francis, 9781317487104
Steve Hall,Simon Winlow: 2012, New Directions in Criminological Theory, Routledge, 9781843929147
David Gadd,Susanne Karstedt,Steven F. Messner: 0, The SAGE Handbook of Criminological Research Methods, 9781446268285
Nurse, Angus,Wyatt, Tanya: 2020, Wildlife Criminology, Policy Press, 9781529204353
Benoit Leclerc,Richard Wortley: 2013, Cognition and Crime, Routledge, 9781136185359
Roger Hopkins Burke: 0, An Introduction to Criminological Theory, 978-1138700215

Articles:

Felson, M., Cohen, L.E.: 1980, Human ecology and crime: A routine activity approach, Hum Ecology, 8(4), 389, https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01561001, 523463
2021: Changing routine activities and the decline of youth crime: A repeated cross‐sectional analysis of self‐reported delinquency in Sweden, 1999–2017, Criminology, 59(2), 351, 523464, 1
Modeling Offenders’ Decisions: A Framework for Research and Policy.: Crime and Justice (Chicago, Ill.), 6, 147,

Other Resources

None