Criminology and Security Modules

Aims
• To offer a constructive critique of terrorism studies and its various iterations.
• To critically explore a variety of ideological motivations for terrorist activity.
• To comprehensively dissect the ways in which different types of terrorism have manifest in contemporary contexts.
• To evaluate and compare the different ways in which different forms of terrorism have been responded to.
• To achieve a holistic understanding of terrorist activity in contemporary geopolitical contexts with particular reference to Southeast Asia.

Learning Outcomes
(LO1) Students will be able to critically explain the historical development of terrorism studies as a unique subfield.
(LO2) Students will be able to critically explain the origins, causes and motivations for different types of terrorism which occur in contemporary societies.
(LO3) Students will be able to navigate various types of terrorism from different geopolitical contexts, including Islamist terrorism, Far-Right terrorism, Ethno-National terrorism, and other varieties.
(LO4) Students will be able to compare and contrast the different responses that exist in relation to different forms of terrorism.
(LO5) Students will be able to demonstrate an advanced understanding of the contemporary global terrorism threats with particular reference to the Southeast Asian context.
(S1) Critical thinking and problem-solving - Critical analysis
(S2) Critical thinking and problem solving - Problem identification
(S3) Critical thinking and problem solving - Creative thinking
(S4) Communication skills

Aims

• To give an overview of the various theories of risk and security

• To give a detailed focus on violence, sexual aggression, deviance and acquisitive and organised crime, as well as the range of individual and contextual factors that shape such behaviour

• To develop students' problem solving skills across a range of Investigative/Forensic Psychology domains

• To increase awareness of the issues involved in the production of professional reports and the interpersonal skills in communicating and disseminating knowledge to the practitioner community.

• To highlight the ways in which theory and research can inform investigative practice.

• To increase awareness of ethical concerns associated with providing material for the courts / police and related law enforcement services.

Learning Outcomes

• Understand and discuss different explanations of risk and insecurity, as well as theories of crime

• Apply Criminological and sociological theories of behaviour to criminal contexts

• Identify the contributions that experts can make in security contexts in terms of increasing understanding of offender and victim behaviour

• Think critically about a range of controversial issues within risk and security concepts

Aims

• Understand the primary ways in which crime has developed in 'the information age'.
• Analyse the complexities of responding to crimes on the internet.
• Acquire an appreciation for the contested terrain of the internet.
• Evaluate the sociological relevance of cybercrime.
• Appreciate the rapid social changes that are ongoing due to the recent development of internet capabilities.

Learning Outcomes

• Explain the occurrence of various types of cybercrimes such as those which involve financial fraud, identity theft, harassment, hacking, hate speech, etc.
• Comment on the relationship between the offline and online worlds in relation to criminal and victim identities.
• Discuss the technological and non-technological responses to cybercrime by States, industry and individuals.
• Reflect on the complexities of law enforcement initiatives in 'the information age'.
• Debate the 'securitisation of cyberspace ' in relation to online social movements and the privacy of individuals.
• Assess the issues surrounding and consequences of 'hacktivism'.
• Consider 'cyber warfare' and its role in contemporary geopolitical relations.
• Situate copyright infringements on the internet in regards to intellectual and artistic property.

Aims

• Evaluate the theories of persistence in offending that have been developed from 1850 to today.

• Evaluate the theories of desistence in offending that have been developed from 1850 to today.

• Analyse the empirical evidence that has supported theories of persistence and desistence.

• Critically understand the factors which support desistence.

• Critically analyse competing theories of persistence/desistence in relation to legislation and government policy.

Learning Outcomes
By the end of this module students will be able to:

• Understand and critically analyse theories on persistence and desistence.

• Understand and critically analyse empirical evidence on desistence.

• Present their work in suitable formats, including written and oral presentations.