BSc (Hons) Psychology and Criminology

Level One

Research Skills 1
An appreciation of research methods is critical for an understanding of psychology. This module introduces students to some of the basic concepts underlying research and provides a practical introduction to conducting research in psychology.

Mind & Brain
This module offers an introduction to the biological substrates of mind. It introduces the philosophical issues that arise in relating mental to biological activity. It orientates the student to the basic structure of the brain and nervous system before moving on to study the building blocks of the brain – the neuron, its structure and functioning. It elaborates on how networks of neurons could plausibly produce behaviour that we can recognise as cognition e.g. recognition and memory

Development in Cultural Context
This module examines the influence of culture on human development, taking a lifespan approach. The aims of the module are to introduce the study of developmental psychology in cultural context, including an introduction to developmental theories that incorporate social and cultural variables. The module will focus on specific topics at key points in the lifespan such as childhood, adolescence, middle and older adulthood.

Introduction to Cognitive Psychology
This module introduces students to the terminology, methodology and central issues in the study of core aspects of human cognition such as perception, memory, problem solving and language. The module also provides a foundation for the more widespread and detailed discussion of each area in other modules in years two and three.

Social & Individual Psychology
This module provides an introduction to social psychology and individual differences and to different approaches to the study of social phenomena and personality. Some consideration of the history of these various approaches and to the different analytical methods will be presented. Problems of disentangling the effects of genetic, environmental and social worlds will be explored along with consideration of the influence of cognitive functioning on social behaviour.

Images of Crime and Social Control
The aim of this module is to facilitate a critical engagement with the dominant ideological depictions of crime and criminality. It seeks to challenge the way in which these interpretations inform commonsense explanations of, and responses to, crime and criminality. It explores recurring claims found in popular, media and political discourses and compares these with more criminological and academic insights in order to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of these issues/problems.

Level Two

Research Skills 2
The content of this module builds on the skills taught at level 1 in the module Research Skills I. Students will be introduced to ethical issues in research, followed by an introduction to uni-variate statistical procedures for analysis of complex experimental designs. In semester B, students will be introduced to methods and procedures for collecting and analysing survey and qualitative data. In parallel with the lecture program, practical research skills are taught in workshops, and students will be required to carry out a small group practical project under supervision of a member of staff in both semesters.

Social Psychology
This module builds upon the social psychology material covered in the Year 1 module Social & Individual Psychology. It explores some of the central issues of social psychology, including how people deal with social information, such as the causes of behaviour and social categories, and how groups function and interact

Developmental Psychology
This module examines concepts, theories, research methods and influencing factors in child development relevant to the period from birth to pre-adolescence. The syllabus is organised into four main blocks: foundations of development, development of cognition, development of representation, social and emotional development. General theories of nature and nurture will be discussed in the context of specific topics. Also, applications of developmental research and theories will be discussed relevant to specific topics.

Investigating the Individual
This module builds upon some of the individual difference material covered in the Year 1 module Social & Individual Psychology 1. It will explore concepts, techniques of measurement and theories that aim to produce a psychological understanding of what differentiates people (and groups) from one another. Drawing on theories of personality, differential psychology and psychopathology, the module will consider these sources of variation by looking at how and why people (and groups) are psychologically different.

Cognition
This module continues the investigation into cognitive processes begun in the first year in Introduction to Cognitive Psychology. It expands the range of cognitive functions considered by exploring current issues in areas such as Attention (in particular visual spatial attention) and Memory, Thinking and Language. Students will be introduced to competing theories/approaches and evaluations with the aim of providing students with an appreciation of the role of empirical evidence in guiding the formation of and assessment of the adequacy of different psychological theories.

Applying Criminology
The module aims to develop the rudimentary and student-centred grasp of 'crime' developed through the more general approach to 'law, crime and order' fostered at foundation level and to subject it to more sustained theoretical, political and practical interrogation. The focus upon crime is a dual one; in that it is at once a subject accessible via direct and indirect experience and one that has the potential to display the interplay between theory and practice. Above all, the module aims to explore the way in which the emergence of Criminology as a discipline is of theoretical, practical and political importance.

Level Three

Independent Study
This module requires students to carry out empirical research in an area of their own choosing, culminating in the production of a dissertation of, at the maximum 8,000 words. The Independent Study tests a student’s ability to identify an appropriate research question and their ability to design and implement an appropriate study. The role of the supervisor is to guide them through these processes.

Cognitive Neuroscience
This module offers an in-depth review of current literature on cognitive neuroscience, a scientific study of neural mechanisms underlying cognition, with a specific focus on the interactions of brain structures and mental processes and their behavioural manifestations. The course covers a range of topics (i.e. vision, attention, face and object recognition, memory and emotion) to illustrate how the concepts and modern methodologies are applied to the problems and issues which constitute the subject of cognitive neuroscience

Conceptual Psychology
This module places the discipline and the subject matter of psychology under scrutiny. By this we mean to locate psychology in a historical context, to consider philosophical concepts that have shaped psychology and to reflect on some of the consequences (moral, political, exploitative, oppressive and/or liberating) that emanate from the practices of psychology. The module therefore includes three areas of focus in psychology – contextual (history of psychology), conceptual (philosophy of science, alternative paradigms, and key psychological concepts) and consequential (critical psychology).

Human Rights
The module addresses the general ideas of Human Rights and focuses in particular on the critical reading of Human Rights as one single universal paradigm. The three main propositions outlined in this module relate to the concept of Human Rights presented as if they are universal; the notion that Human Rights pertain to a logic which focuses on the individual to the neglect of solidarity and other social values, and the fact that the meaning of Human Rights derives from a reasoning which is far too abstract.

Penology & Penal Policy
The module aims to locate the theory, practice and history of punishment and penal policy in the context of social control in general. As well as addressing the philosophy of punishment, in terms of core concepts of justice, desert, deterrence, retribution, rehabilitation, reparation etc., it seeks to examine the way in which social control is a fundamental aspect of social relations. Thus it examines legal and non-legal forms of social control and examines the complex interrelationships between the two, together with the historical and practical dynamic of each. Current penal practice is subject to theoretical examination, especially in relation to 'punishment in the community', 'dangerousness', 'rehabilitation', monetary sanctions, 're-integrative shaming', restorative justice and 'longer than normal sentencing'. The place of the prison is addressed both as a historical feature and as an object of reform/abolition. In addition, the nature and future of imprisonment and alternatives to imprisonment are subject to critical attention. Finally, the issue of forms and practices of resistance to social control are addressed insofar as they illuminate the nature and meaning of social control within society.

Psychology, Crime & Criminology
The module is designed for students from psychological, scientific and criminological backgrounds and will provide them with a detailed overview of the relationship between psychology and criminology. It will examine a range of psychological, psycho-social and psychoanalytic approaches to the study of ‘crime’ and ‘deviant’ behaviour and contrast these with the predominantly sociological paradigm of criminology. It will contest both the oversocialised construction of human agency and the behaviourist reduction of authentic (criminal) action.

The BSc Honours Psychology and English programme aims to produce graduates who are critical thinkers and independent researchers. This means that graduating students would be able to tackle problems and issues as independent researchers taking a critical and analytical approach. The programme also aims to engender in students an ability to reflect on the nature of human behaviour in an informed and systematic manner.

The aims of the module assessments are to provide a measure of the development and attainment of programme outcomes, including the attainment of high-level intellectual skills such as critical analysis and evaluation. Accordingly, the nature of the assessment varies across the three levels of the programme. The assessments at Levels 1 and 2 focus on the acquisition and understanding of knowledge and skills. In contrast, the Level 3 assessments place far greater emphasis on the ability to apply, analyse and evaluate knowledge.

A tutorial system operates at level 1 which aims to provide a sound basis for transition to level two of the programme. The tutorial programme also includes a series of scheduled one-to-one meetings. These personal tutorials aim to support the student's personal development and continue over the three years of the degree.

The Psychology teaching accommodation is located in the main University building, and provides well-equipped laboratories including two large PC-based teaching laboratories, an observation suite, a psychophysiology laboratory, a ‘baby lab’ and numerous specialist research and practical laboratories. There are three technical staff on hand to aid students in the production of experimental materials and software development.

The programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society as conferring eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Chartered membership (GBC), the first step towards becoming a chartered psychologist

It is if you are looking for a course that provides the basis for professional accreditation, while at the same time providing an opportunity to gain an understanding of the key issues in Criminology.

Basic Maths and English, and some experience of project work involving the collection and analysis of data.

The aims of the module assessments are to provide a measure of the development and attainment of programme outcomes, including the attainment of high-level intellectual skills such as critical analysis and evaluation. Accordingly, the nature of the assessment varies across the three levels of the programme. The assessments at Levels 1 and 2 focus on the acquisition and understanding of knowledge and skills. In contrast, the Level 3 assessments place far greater emphasis on the ability to apply, analyse and evaluate knowledge.

An accredited degree in psychology providing a strong foundation of knowledge and expertise within the subject, and a sound understanding of topics in English. You will also gain a high level of competence in a wide range of general and transferable skills, including time-management skills, team working skills, and problem solving analytic skills.

300pts from 3 x 6 Unit Awards, 1 x Science or Related, ex Key Skills. (Psychology, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Geography or Economics acceptable). Ex. General studies. 45 level 3 credits at merit or above from an Access to HE in science or social science. A2 & BTEC Applied Science accepted.

Five GCSEs at grade C or above, to include English Language and Maths at grade C (or equivalent). Key Skills L3 accepted, B1 or higher ordinary Irish Leaving certificate accepted. Key Skills level 2 Numeracy and Communication acceptable in lieu of Maths or English. GCSE Statistics GCSE @ C acceptable in lieu of Maths

Please see the UCAS website for equivalent qualifications.

The programme aims to equip graduates for postgraduate study and professional training in any area of psychology/criminology. However, it is especially suited to those considering a career in the Prison or Social Services. A programme of ‘Careers in Psychology’ seminars is run throughout the final year of the psychology courses.