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CSS411

Contemporary Issues In Criminology And Securities

This course provides a comprehensive exploration of contemporary issues in criminology and security studies. It examines the nature, scope, and theories of criminology, focusing on contemporary crimes and security challenges in Nigeria. Topics include kidnapping, militancy, cyber theft, terrorism, and the roles of security agencies. Students will develop skills to understand and address societal problems related to crime and security.

About this course

Difficulty
Intermediate
Study hours
208 hours
Maths
None
Content
Theoretical, case study
Practical work
No
How it is assessed
  • Assignments
  • Tutor marked assessments
  • Final examination

One paragraph, so you can see how it reads

CSS411 · UNIT 1 THE FIELD OF CRIMINOLOGY

The discussion of both the definition and scope will provide the study with a comprehensive understanding of the subject. Thus this section presents some of the definitions and scope of criminology.

What you should be able to do

  1. Understand the scope and theories of criminology
  2. Analyze contemporary crimes and security issues in Nigeria
  3. Evaluate the effectiveness of security agencies
  4. Apply criminological knowledge to solve societal problems
  5. Develop competencies for employment in public and private sectors

What it prepares you for

Careers
  • Police Officer
  • Security Analyst
  • Correctional Officer
  • Law Enforcement
  • Criminologist
Where it is applied
  • Law Enforcement
  • Security Services
  • Government Agencies
  • Correctional Institutions
  • Legal Sector

Where it gets hard

The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.

  • Module 2: Criminological Theories

    Unit 2: Criminological Theories

    Understanding the nuances and applications of various criminological theories requires critical thinking and analytical skills.

  • Module 3: Crime Control/Criminal Justice Systems

    Unit 2: Criminal Justice System in Nigeria

    The interplay between different components of the Nigerian criminal justice system and their effectiveness requires careful analysis.

A suggested way through it

Suggested

13 weeks, about 41 hours in total. Yours will differ.

  1. Week 1Module 1: General Introduction
    • Unit 1: The Field of Criminology · 3 hours

      Read the unit's introduction and objectives.. Understand the definition and scope of criminology.. Identify key areas within criminology.. Complete self-assessment exercises..

  2. Week 2Module 1: General Introduction
    • Unit 2: Research Methods in Criminology · 3 hours

      Understand the definition of research methods.. Learn about data collection techniques.. Gain insight into criminological problem-solving approaches.. Complete self-assessment exercises..

  3. Week 3Module 1: General Introduction
    • Unit 3: Crime and Criminality · 3 hours

      Define crime from different perspectives.. Distinguish between legal and social conceptions of crime.. Identify and explain the essential elements of crime.. Understand who a criminal is..

  4. Week 4Module 1: General Introduction
    • Unit 4: Types and Characteristics of Crime · 3 hours

      Identify different classifications of crimes.. Describe the contents of crimes under different classifications.. Distinguish classifications by criminologists.. Complete self-assessment exercises..

  5. Week 5Module 2: Criminological Theories
    • Unit 1: Deviance and Crime · 3 hours

      Explain the nature of deviance and describe its common forms.. Discuss functions of deviance from different perspectives.. Distinguish between deviant and criminal behavior.. Complete self-assessment exercises..

  6. Week 6Module 2: Criminological Theories
    • Unit 2: Criminological Theories · 3 hours

      Define the concept of theory.. Identify characteristics of scientific theory.. Understand criminological theories in explaining crimes.. Complete self-assessment exercises..

  7. Week 7Module 3: Crime Control/Criminal Justice Systems
    • Unit 1: Punishment as Social Control · 3 hours

      Understand the meaning of punishment as social control.. Identify and explain philosophies/purposes of punishment.. Describe methods of punishment.. Complete self-assessment exercises..

  8. Week 8Module 3: Crime Control/Criminal Justice Systems
    • Unit 2: Criminal Justice System in Nigeria · 3 hours

      Define Criminal Justice System in the Nigerian context.. Identify components of the CJS.. Describe characteristics of the CJS.. Explain stages in the CJS..

  9. Week 9Module 3: Crime Control/Criminal Justice Systems
    • Unit 3: Crime Control Mechanisms · 3 hours

      Define crime control.. Explain why crime control is a viable mechanism.. Recount different forms of crime control mechanisms.. Complete self-assessment exercises..

  10. Week 10Module 3: Crime Control/Criminal Justice Systems
    • Unit 4: Law Enforcement: the Police · 3 hours

      Define 'The Police' and their role in the CJS.. Identify major functions of the police.. Understand problems plaguing the Nigeria Police Force.. Complete self-assessment exercises..

  11. Week 11Module 3: Crime Control/Criminal Justice Systems
    • Unit 5: Court Systems in Nigeria · 3 hours

      Understand the court system in Nigeria.. Describe the structure of the court system.. Explain the role of lawyers in criminal court systems.. Complete self-assessment exercises..

  12. Week 12Module 4: Corrections
    • Module 4 and 5 Review · 4 hours

      Social Reactions to Crime: Correctional Institution (Prison). CommunityCorrections. Juvenile Institutions and Juvenile Corrections. Informal Agencies of Crime Control.

  13. Week 13Module 5: Issues in Crime
    • Module 5 Review · 4 hours

      Media and Crime. Organisational Criminality. Gender and Crime. Socio-cultural Environment of Crime. Professional Ethics, Law Enforcement andSecurity Management. Human Rights and Justice in Nigeria.

Preparing for the exam

What to do
  • Review all unit objectives and summaries.
  • Create flashcards for key criminological theories and concepts.
  • Practice applying theories to real-world crime scenarios.
  • Focus on understanding the Nigerian Criminal Justice System.
  • Review all Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs) and their solutions.
  • Allocate equal time to each module during study sessions.
  • Create concept maps linking different modules.
  • Practice essay writing on potential exam topics.
  • Join online study groups to discuss challenging concepts.
  • Get enough sleep and eat well before the exam.

Questions students ask about this course

What is CSS411 about?

This course provides a comprehensive exploration of contemporary issues in criminology and security studies. It examines the nature, scope, and theories of criminology, focusing on contemporary crimes and security challenges in Nigeria. Topics include kidnapping, militancy, cyber theft, terrorism, and the roles of security agencies. Students will develop skills to understand and address societal problems related to crime and security.

How many units does CSS411 have?

CSS411, Contemporary Issues In Criminology And Securities, has 21 units across 5 modules, over 189 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.

How many credit units is CSS411?

CSS411 carries 3 credit units, at 400 level in Social Sciences.

Is CSS411 hard?

CSS411 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.

How long does CSS411 take to study?

About 208 hours of study, spread across its 21 units.

How is CSS411 assessed?

CSS411 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.

What can I do with CSS411?

Police Officer, Security Analyst, Correctional Officer, Law Enforcement and Criminologist.

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