Criminology
Criminology is a humanities course at CTY Ireland and is only available for 2nd session.
Course Description
What is crime? Who commits crime? Why do people commit crime? How is crime dealt with? Criminology is the scientific study of the nature, extent, causes, and control of criminal behaviour in both the individual and in society. This course will delve into many areas in an attempt to explain crime and criminal behaviour. The course will start by assessing the different theoretical perspectives which attempt to offer a scientific study of ‘crime’ and the ‘criminal’,from classical to contemporary theories. We then take a more practical approach, reviewing topical criminal justice issues in Ireland and elsewhere such as crime rates, media and crime, policing, poverty and sentencing policies. We conclude with an overview of studies in penologyand penalty,theories of the prison and of alternatives to imprisonment. There is also normally the option to visit the Four Courts and Mountjoy Prison.