Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE PSY5636

 
TITLE Understanding Criminal Conduct 2

 
UM LEVEL 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course

 
MQF LEVEL 7

 
ECTS CREDITS 5

 
DEPARTMENT Psychology

 
DESCRIPTION The study-unit will build on the theoretical frameworks explored in a previous unit, to zero in on specific forms of offending including sex offending and violent offending behavior. The unit will also explore the relationship between mental disorder and crime and between substance use and crime and psychopathy. It will discus insights on white collar crime. While theoretical frameworks most often attempt to explain offending behavior in general, this study unit will provide keener insights on specific types of offending.

Study-unit Aims:

The study -unit aims to build on the learning outcomes achieved in psychology of Criminal conduct 1 and give the participants a deeper understanding of more select issues in the understanding of offending behaviour.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

• Identify the correlates associated with criminal behaviour and critically evaluate the evidence base for this association;
• Identify the salient psychological phenomena implicated in a number of varied types of criminal behaviour and evaluate their impact for the individual and society;
• Describe and critically evaluate the main explanations of a number of different types of offending;
• Critically evaluate the implications of the above for research, policy and practice in the prevention and management of criminal behaviour.

2. Skills:
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

• Critically evaluate the relevance and validity of a number of explanations for specific forms of offending behaviour in relation to particular individuals exhibiting criminal behaviour;
• Construct recommendations for changes in practice, policy and research in the field of criminal behaviour on the basis of a critical evaluation of the research evidence;
• Write a critical paper on current local policy and practice in relation to prevention and management of criminal behaviour.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main text:
Howitt, D (2012) Introduction to Forensic and Criminal Psychology USA: Prentice Hall.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Assignment SEM2 Yes 100%

 
LECTURER/S Chantal Avellino (Co-ord.)
Marilyn Clark
Gail Debono
Kevin Henwood
Roberta Holland

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit