Subject Intent
Our aim in Criminology is to introduce learners to the criminal justice system, the reasons as to why people turn to crime and the way in which we can control this as a society. The course enables learners to use theories of criminality to analyse criminal situations and make recommendations for policy in practice and assess campaigns.
Our aim at Derby Cathedral School is to encourage our Criminology learners to acquire knowledge and understanding in purposeful contexts linked to the criminal justice system. We ensure learners are informed about how criminology is relevant to many job roles within the criminal justice sector, social and probation work, sociology and psychology which will make them informed about potential future career routes. The world of criminology is constantly evolving and we encourage learners to keep up to date with contemporary news.
We study the WJEC Applied Diploma in Criminology whereby learners study: Changing awareness of crime, criminological theories, crime scene to courtroom and crime and punishment.
Staffing
Head of Social Sciences and Teacher of Sociology, Psychology and Health and Social Care
Miss J Sowter - j.sowter@derbycathedralschool.org.uk
Lead Teacher of Criminology and Teacher of Psychology
Mr S Acquah - s.acquah@derbycathedralschool.org.uk
Homework
Vocational Subjects (Criminology and Health and Social Care) - students will be set weekly homework and this will vary dependent on their unit
- Coursework (Health and Social Care) – when students are being taught coursework units the focus on homework must be on the write up of tasks and corrections
- Controlled Assessment (Criminology) - when students are being taught the controlled assessment units the focus on homework is research to focus on examination preparation
- Examination – when students are being taught content for exams they must be set weekly homework in the form of three tasks as referred to above (Apply, Acquire and Cement)
Assessment
- You will have one controlled assessment and one formal exam in year 12 (Units 1 & 2)
- You will also have one controlled assessment and one formal exam in year 13 (Units 3 & 4)
- The controlled assessment is conducted over 8 hours (usually spread over 3 days)
- The formal assessment is 90 minutes duration
Year 12
- Unit 1 - Changing Awareness of Crime
- Unit 2 - Criminological Theories
Year 13
- Unit 3 - Crime Scene to Court Room
- Unit 4 - Crime & Punishment
Independent Study and Revision
- Accessing Tutor2U study notes and other resources using the following link: https://www.tutor2u.net/criminology/reference/study-notes
- Watching videos using the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFzBQho5UIE&list=PLpG7g2Yvm4j0t7O0BEIqZtNn59xUvFeRr
- Using the knowledge organisers to self-quiz
- Creating your own flashcards either as physical copies or create your own Quizlets
- RAG rating your understanding of knowledge using the checklist
- Creating mind maps, brain dumps or revision clocks for each topic
Subject Enrichment
- Shrewsbury Prison Visit
- Derby University Criminology Experience (Mini Keynote Speech)
- Q&A with current Higher Education Criminology Students at Derby University
- Derby Magistrates and Crown Court
- Police Officer Guest Speaker
- London Visit – Supreme Court
- Belgium, Luxemburg and the Netherlands Trip (includes aspects from all Social Sciences)
Super-Curricular
- https://www.ted.com/talks/alastair_gray_how_fake_handbags_fund_terrorism_and_organized_crime
- https://www.ted.com/talks/kim_gorgens_the_surprising_connection_between_brain_injuries_and_crime
- https://www.ted.com/talks/caleb_barlow_where_is_cybercrime_really_coming_from
- https://www.ted.com/talks/tracie_keesee_how_police_and_the_public_can_create_safer_neighborhoods_together
- https://www.ted.com/talks/dan_pacholke_how_prisons_can_help_inmates_live_meaningful_lives
- https://www.ted.com/talks/jim_fallon_exploring_the_mind_of_a_killer
Literacy
- A few Kind words and a loaded gun’ By Razor Smith Crime/Class
- ‘Brick Lane’ By Monica Ali
- ‘Chav: The Demolition of the working class’ By Owen Jones
- ‘Hard Time’ By Shaun Attwood
- ‘The Spirit Level’ By Richard G.Wilkinson
- The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined By Steven Pinker
- Hell's Angels: A Strange and Terrible Saga By Hunter S. Thompson
- Mindhunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit By John E. Douglas, Mark Olshaker
- Forensics By Val McDermott