BA (Hons) in Criminology

Key Points

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The Bachelor of Criminology is a window on the world, providing insight into human diversity in complex societies and a textured view of our propensity to err, conflict, blame and punish.

Program description

This is a research-driven interdisciplinary programme that offers an international body of knowledge as well as research and critical thinking skills. The programme provides a strong intellectual background for anyone thinking of working in culturally sensitive areas such as policing, prisons, social work, journalism, politics, research, care, health and justice agencies, advocacy groups, charities, film or television.

Career options

Students in this course will develop skills in critical thinking, comparative and cultural analysis, research methods, and statistics. They will also strengthen their understanding of the role of history and examine the basis for moral justifications.

This skill set is invaluable for sensitive occupations such as:

Surveillance
Prisons
Parole
Social work
Social administration
Safety work
Charities
Journalism
Television and cinema

Community development

Program structure

This contemporary course combines key themes in the social sciences and law, such as crime, deviance, morality, conflict, censorship, and justice, with philosophy, history, cultural studies, and language. The result is an exceptional breadth and depth of perspective and context.

YEAR 1

Criminology a history and introduction
Criminology key concepts, studies and issues
Introduction to the psychology of crime
Introduction to Sociology
Key aspects in sociology

Plus a 10-credit option of the following:

Law

Introduction to the legal system of criminology I
Introduction to the legal system of criminology II

Criminology

Introduction to law and social control
Law, crime and societies

Electives

15 credits of language options in French, German, Spanish, Irish or Italian

Philosophy:

Government Modules
Introduction to Political Science
Democracy, ideology and utopia
Politics and Government of Ireland

YEAR 2

Sociology of crime and deviance
Contemporary criminological theory
Introduction to social research

Electives:

Forensic Sociology
Official crime statistics

Crime and the media in Ireland
Victims and Victimology
Sex Offenders
Crime
Urbanization and Cities
Coercive Confinement and Social Control in Ireland
Terrorism and political violence
Surveillance of modern society
Comparative Perspectives on Policing
Policing and mob justice in Ireland 1803-1960
Violence and Revolutionary Ireland, 1913-1925
Education in prisons
Anthropology and Social Control
Gender and crime
Criminology and desistance throughout life
Social statistics
Criminal policy and practice
Abnormal Psychology
Criminal Law
Criminal Evidence
International human rights law
French; / Irish; German; Hispanic Studies; Italian plus modules in Philosophy, Government and Politics.

YEAR 3

Research Design
Dissertation in Criminology
Criminal justice policy

Electives (includes many modules offered from year 2 as well as modules thereafter):

Trafficking in persons
Animals and crime
Online Crime
Drugs
Crime and society
Corporate Crime
Environmental regulation
Forensic Psychology
Religion and Magic in the European Reformation
Witches
Demons
Jews and Heretics
Censorship in 20th century Ireland
Abnormal Psychology
Political Philosophy
Professional Ethics
Social Theory
Sociology of development and globalization
Introduction to planning and sustainable development
Sociology of the media
Sociology of Law
Sociology of health and illness
Social statistics
Family
Genre
Sexualities
Irish French; German; History; Hispanic Studies; Italian plus modules in Philosophy, Government and Politics.

Students may choose to spend the third year studying at a partner institution abroad if they are registered on the BA Criminology (International Pathway).

*Module availability may change from year to year.

Admission requirements

As a general requirement, a Bachelor’s Degree / Baccalaureate Diploma / General Baccalaureate / Professional Degree from a recognized university is required.
In the case of international candidates, the foreign equivalent is required. In addition, a degree officially translated into English will be required.
IELTS 6.5, with no less than 6 in any component (or its internationally recognised equivalent).