Subject Benchmark Statement - Criminology
Publication date: 30 Mar 2022
Criminology
Subject Benchmark Statement
Subject Benchmark Statements describe the nature of study and the academic standards expected of graduates in specific subject areas. They show what graduates might reasonably be expected to know, do and understand at the end of their studies.
Below you will find the full Subject Benchmark Statement for Criminology. Alongside it, we have also published a summary designed to provide a short and accessible overview of the main Statement for students, employers and academics.
Subject Benchmark Statement: Criminology - The Basics
Publication date: 30 Mar 2022
About this subject
Criminology is a theoretical and empirical subject with practical application. At its core are theoretical debates about a wide range of perspectives. Criminology emphasises the importance of both theoretical work and a firm evidence base for its theories. It also engages in formal and critical evaluation of concepts of crime, harm, deviance, justice and risk, for instance relating to state crime, crimes of the powerful, international crimes, crime prevention, security and digital crimes.
It nurtures lively debate and dialogue between a range of theoretical and methodological perspectives, employing both quantitative and qualitative data in considering the operation and limits to the criminal justice system as an appropriate social reaction, as well as the distribution of crime and processes of criminalisation and victimisation over space and time.
Professor Mark Simpson - Chair of the Advisory Group
Pro-Vice-Chancellor Learning and Teaching, Teesside University
This new Benchmark Statement is designed to reflect the changes witnessed in the study of criminology. It has been developed by a broad range of academics from across the sector after considerable discussion, debate and reflection. I am sure that it will support the development of new innovative and exciting courses moving forward.
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