Welcome to the Ealing Law School of Criminology at the University of West .....
edition. London: Sage. Newburn, T. (2012) Criminology 2nd edition Devon:
Willan.
Criminology Criminology, Policing & Forensics Criminology with Law Criminology with Psychology
Pre-course Information
Ealing Law School Academic Year 2013-2014
Table of Contents
Welcome Note ………………………………………………………3 Introduction from Course Leader…………………………………..4 Introduction from the Student Criminology Society ……………...5 What will I Study …..................................................................... 6 Other information ……………………………………..………. 12-15 Reading Lists ………………………………………………………16
Welcome to the Ealing Law School of Criminology at the University of West London
Dear Student, Welcome to the Ealing Law School at the University of West London. We’re glad that you have chosen to study the varied and interesting area of criminology which has been offered as a discipline of study here since 2004. The Law School has appealed to a wide variety of students with differing interests and career destinations. Our reputation, strong links with agencies within the criminal justice system and related professions means we can provide you with a criminology degree geared towards helping your progress towards the profession of your choice! Here at the Law School you will meet students from all walks of life and different countries. We hope you will take full advantage both socially and academically of what the Law School offers. Past events have included socials, careers fairs, mooting and debating and trips abroad. The point of this pre-course information is to answer some of the FAQ’s (frequently asked questions) that you may have, please take time to read this carefully. We look forward to meeting you!
All Academic and Administrative Staff at the Ealing Law School
Introduction from the Course Leader Hello and welcome to the Law School. I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to you as Donley Jack. I am the course leader of the BA (Hons) Criminology; BA (Hons) Criminology, Policing and Forensics; BA (Hons) Criminology with Law; and BA (Hons) Criminology with Psychology degrees at the University of West London. Therefore if you have any issues I am your first port of call. The Head of the Ealing Law School is Professor Malcolm Davies and the Field Leader for Criminology is Dr. Jay Landa. This pre-course information is designed to introduce you to the structure of the degrees. This, with the programme handbook which you will be able to access after your induction, will act as valuable reference documents throughout your period of study at the University of West London. If you have any further questions or need more information about the course or the University, please do not hesitate to contact me. I wish you every success. Donley Jack Course Leader – Criminology Email:
[email protected] Telephone: 0208 231 2403
The Criminology Society In January 2012 we launched the student criminology society. This society won the award for ‘Best New Coming Society’ 2011/12 at the University of West London Students’ Union Awards. The Society is responsible for organizing a programme of events and activities that will help increase your enjoyment of life at the University of West London Ealing Law School. Typical activities include visits to prisons, courts and fun days out (e.g. roller discos, paintballing). We also went to Washington DC to visit the National Crime Museum, International Spy Museum and the Pentagon in January 2013. In conjunction with the student Law Society we have Trips to the Inner Temple, Lincolns Inn, Grays Inn and Middle Temple. There are also Mooting and Debating Competitions (these are rather like 'mock trials') and Fund Raising Events (e.g. book sales and body auctions). It is hoped that our University will be competing against other Universities in national competitions. Indeed some years ago we reached the final only narrowly losing to Kings College London University. Many successful lawyers cut their teeth in mooting at university. We invite Guest Speakers from the legal and other professions. However, the highlight of the year is the Annual Ball or Party, which may be as formal or as informal as the Society decides. As a result of having joined the Society, many students have met people on their visits that have been useful in providing information for assignments and exams. There is a small membership fee for belonging to the Society and we ask that you get yourself involved by supporting these events (for which some may require a contribution to the costs).
What will you study? CRIMINOLOGY LEVEL 4 Criminal Process Foundations of Criminal Law Introduction to Criminology Introduction to Forensic Science Prisons and Probation Work, or Voluntary Work Based Learning 1 LEVEL 5 Criminology and Public Policy Crime, Young People and the Law Policing and Police Powers Theories of Criminal Behaviour Trial, Evidence and The Adversarial System Work, or Voluntary Work Based Learning 2 LEVEL 6 There will be two core modules: Penal Theory Work, or Voluntary Work Based Learning 3 Students will also choose four modules from a broad range of final year options, currently including: Advanced Criminal Justice System and Substance Misuse Comparative Criminal Justice Forensics and Policing in Crime Detection Forensic Assessment & Examination Techniques Philosophical Foundations of Criminology Project Psychology of Crime Sentencing Terrorism Violent Relations
CRIMINOLOGY, POLICING AND FORENSICS LEVEL 4 Criminal Process Foundations of Criminal Law Introduction to Criminology Introduction to Forensic Science Prisons and Probation Work, or Voluntary Work Based Learning 1 LEVEL 5 Crime Scene Investigation Crime, Young People and the Law Policing and Police Powers Theories of Criminal Behaviour Trial, Evidence and The Adversarial System Work, or Voluntary Work Based Learning 2 LEVEL 6 There will be two core modules: Forensics and Policing in Crime Detection Work, or Voluntary Work Based Learning 3 Students will also choose four modules from a broad range of final year options, currently including: Advanced Criminal Justice System and Substance Misuse Comparative Criminal Justice Forensic Assessment & Examination Techniques Penal Theory Philosophical Foundations of Criminology Project Psychology of Crime Sentencing Terrorism Violent Relations
CRIMINOLOGY WITH LAW LEVEL 4 Criminal Process Foundations of Criminal Law Introduction to Criminology Legal Institutions of England and Wales Prisons and Probation Work, or Voluntary Work Based Learning 1 LEVEL 5 Civil Responsibilities Constitutional and EU Law Policing and Police Powers Theories of Criminal Behaviour Trials, Evidence and The Adversarial System Work, or Voluntary Work Based Learning 2 LEVEL 6 There will be three core modules: Criminal Law: Current Proposals for Reform Sentencing Work, or Voluntary Work Based Learning 3 Plus three options from the following list: Advanced Criminal Justice System and Substance Misuse Comparative Criminal Justice Forensics and Policing in Crime Detection Forensic Assessment and Examination Techniques Penal Theory Philosophical Foundations of Criminology Project Psychology of Crime Terrorism Violent Relationships
CRIMINOLOGY WITH PSYCHOLOGY LEVEL 4 Criminal Process Introduction to Criminology Prisons and Probation Work, or Voluntary Work Based Learning 1 LEVEL 5 Policing and Police Powers Theories of Criminal Behaviour Trials, Evidence and The Adversarial System Work, or Voluntary Work Based Learning 2 LEVEL 6
There will be one core module: Work, or Voluntary Work Based Learning 3 Plus three options from the following list: Advanced Criminal Justice System and Substance Misuse Comparative Criminal Justice
Forensics and Policing in Crime Detection Forensic Assessment and Examination Techniques Penal Theory Philosophical Foundations of Criminology Project Psychology of Crime* Sentencing
Terrorism PSYCHOLOGY MINOR – COURSE STRUCTURE Students on this route would study the Criminology Major and: LEVEL 4 Students would study any two from the following psychology modules: History and Context of Psychology Learning and Cognition Social and Developmental Psychology
LEVEL 5 Students would study any two from the following psychology modules: Brain and Behaviour Cognitive Psychology Developmental Psychology Individual Differences Social Psychology LEVEL 6 Students would study any two from the following psychology modules: Introduction to Theories of Counseling Psychology of Crime* Psychology of Language Psychology of Mental Health Stereotyping and Prejudice Violent Relationships * If Psychology of Crime is taken as a criminology option then one of the other psychology modules are taken as the psychology minor module.
Other Information The academic year is divided into two semesters. Semester one runs from Monday 23rd September 2013 to Friday 17th January 2014 and semester two from Monday 27th January 2014 to Friday 30th May 2014. The course is taught through lectures and seminars. Lectures typically last two hours and some lecturers will allow you to record their lectures but always ask. Seminars are designed to reinforce that which you have covered in lectures. They usually last one hour. It is not always possible to ask questions in the lecture so seminars are your chance to clarify any matters. Please do not be afraid to ask questions, that is why we are here. Be warned some lecturers have been known to eject those who have not prepared for seminars. If for some reason you have not been able to prepare for the seminar, talk to your tutor. This will avoid potential embarrassment! Classroom Contact Time You will note the days you are in and will have worked out that this adds up to a commitment of some nine hours per week (i.e. 3 modules per semester x 3 hours each module). However you will be expected to put in at least a further ten hours researching and preparing for seminars per module. Long experience has taught us that those who regularly attend pass. Course Representatives In about week three of teaching you will have the opportunity to either stand as a representative or vote for a colleague. The role of the rep is to pass on your views at course meetings which are usually held once a semester. However if you are experiencing problems with a lecturer inform your personal tutor or the course leader. Personal Tutor Each of you will be allocated a personal tutor. This person is here to check you are coping with the demands of the course and to provide any help you may need. Everything said is treated in confidence. Your tutor is equipped to deal with a wide range of problems from the academic to the personal. The University itself has a wide range of advisors to assist you.
Disability Support Support for disabled students is available. You can visit the Disability Support Team at the One Stop Shop in the St. Marys Road Campus. If need be please discuss this further with your personal tutor. Materials The student handbook This explains in painstaking detail matters like course regulations, disciplinary codes, registration etc. Regrettably few students read this. It tends to get buried with all the other information you get in the first few weeks. Please take time to flick an eye over it. The Course Handbook The course handbook which is made available after induction is a useful guide to the criminology programme that you have chosen to study. The information inside includes the teaching and learning strategy, the course assessment structure, contact details of all relevant teaching and administrative staff, marking grids and module summaries. Module study guides and learning materials Each module leader will provide you with a module study guide (MSG) and depending on the module will be available only to download using blackboard the virtual learning environment. This contains vital information about the module. Within this you will find the module leaders contact information – email and phone number. It will also provide you with a week by week guide to the module topics to be studied and the seminars. Crucially the method of assessing the module will be there. You will also be provided with learning materials. These vary from module to module. Some are very detailed others simply provide an overview of topics you will be covering. In addition to these you should note that you are required to read the relevant text books and prepare seminar questions in advance of your class. The learning materials are no substitute for reading the recommended books.
Books Each module leader will provide you with a list of recommended text books. These are to be found in the module study guide. You are required to purchase recommended texts. Although criminology books can be expensive, it is possible from some book-shops to purchase second hand books, although you must check with your lecturer to ensure that they are not out of date. The second and third year students may have books to sell. There will be a book fair organised by the Law Society in the first few weeks of Semester one. Blackboard and University Email The criminology programmes are supported online using the Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment. This is used for course documents and information, videos, links, pod-casts, discussion boards (subject specific) and past exam papers etc. You will be provided with a University email address which will be used to communicate with you i.e. events, class changes, etc. Therefore you are required to log onto Blackboard and Check your University email at the very least once a week. Assessments Each module will be assessed in different ways. At the law school we will assess you using compulsory formative (intended to provide you with feedback) and summative assessments. So for example in Introduction to Criminology (Semester 1) you have to do three assessments over the semester. Each summative assessment is weighted and counts towards your final module mark. Other assessments known as formative carry no weighting. Many modules will require you to log onto blackboard and complete a weekly formative assessment, you should note that these are compulsory and if you do not complete these you will not be eligible to pass the module even if you have completed all summative assessments. When you are given your assessment there will be a deadline date e.g. November 30th 5 pm. If you are required to submit a paper copy then you must obtain a handing in form from the assessment office. Simply fill out the form clearly and attach your assessment. On handing it in you will be given a receipt. Do hold on to this until you have had your mark back in the event of anything unforeseen happening to your work before it is
marked. If you are submitting work electronically this will be done via the TurnitinUK system. Also always keep a backup copy of your work. We do recognise that occasionally personal problems may prevent you from handing in an assessment on time. In such a case contact the tutor or course leader who may agree to give you a short extension – however this is only granted in exceptional circumstances and you must provide evidence in support, for example a medical certificate accompanied by a letter from your doctor, surgeon etc. It may be that you have attempted an assessment – an exam for example but in the run up to this there were a number of factors which you believed hindered your performance i.e. close bereavement. This may count as a mitigating circumstance in which case you may be allowed to resubmit the assessment or in the case of an examination resit it. Once again this is only granted in exceptional cases and requires evidence in support to be submitted before the assessment/exam. You should be aware however that when employers request academic references this information will include student progress i.e. instances of mitigation and/or extensions.
Reading Lists To help you settle into university study life we have included the following reading list. The sources included are seen as being some of the essential texts that you will be expected to read during your study within the university and particularly good introductory texts as you embark on your first year of study. All texts can be found within the Library or on-line as an e-book. If you require any help locating these sources the staff on hand in the Library will be happy to help you. Davies, M., Croall, H. and Tyrer, J. (2009) Criminal Justice: An Introduction to the Criminal Justice System in England and Wales 4th edition. London: Pearson. Hale, C., Hayward, K., Wahidin, A. and Wincup, E. (eds) (2013) Criminology 3rd edition. Oxford: OUP. Maguire, M., Morgan, R. and Reiner, R. (2012) The Oxford Handbook of Criminology. 5th edition. Oxford: OUP. McLaughlin, E. and Muncie, J. (2013) Sage Dictionary of Criminology. 3rd edition. London: Sage. Newburn, T. (2012) Criminology 2nd edition Devon: Willan Treadwell, J. (2013) Criminology: The Essentials. 2nd edition London: Sage.
Induction Timetable A timetable for induction events will be given to you on your first day of arrival. End note: We hope this guide has been useful. Please feel free to ask any questions during induction. Above all enjoy your years with us at UWL.
