Undergraduate Modules

Criminology is most commonly chosen as an elective major subject in the following degree programmes (see admission requirements for each):

• BA• BA Law• Bachelor of Social Work.

If an appropriate degree has been completed, all the undergraduate criminology modules were passed and the third-level modules were passed with a mark of 70%, the graduate will qualify to apply for post-graduate studies in Criminology.

Post-graduate programmes

• BA Hons Criminology• MA (Criminology)• DPhil (Criminology)

Modules presented at the first-year level

• Fundamental criminologyThe focus is on concepts relevant to Criminology andthe factors that contribute to crime.

• Violent crimeThe nature, extent and causes of violent crimes arestudied.

• PenologyThe functioning of the criminal justice system.

• Crime prevention and controlCrimepreventioninvolvesthestudyofdifferentactions or attempts to decrease the level of criminalactivity.

Modules presented at the second-year level

• Forensic criminalisticsThe module highlights the search for objective andsubjective evidence that could lead to solving crimes.

• Youth misbehaviourThis module involves the study of crime andmisbehaviour occurring during childhood.

• VictimologyVictimologyinvolvesthescientificstudyofthedifferenttypes of victims of crime.

• Political offencesPoliticaloffencesinvolvecrimessuchashightreason,assassination, terrorism and crimes committed by thestate.

Modules presented at the third-year level

• Criminology theoriesThe focus is on developing critical thinking skills toevaluate and apply crime theories in a meaningful way.

• PsychocriminologyPsychocriminology focuses on the relationshipbetween psychological factors and crime.

• Female crimeTraditional and modern views about the nature and causes of female crime expressed by Criminologists.

• Contemporary issues in CriminologyThis module introduces learners to the current crucialissues in Criminology.

www.up.ac.za/swc

Department of Social Work and Criminology

Criminology

Career opportunities

• South African Police Service: Forensic ScienceLaboratory (e.g. Ballistics Unit and Disputed DocumentUnit), criminal investigation and crime analysis (atthe national, regional and local levels, e.g. CrimeInformation Analysis Centre);

• In court: expert evidence, pre-sentencing reports, crime(victim)impactstatementsandoffenderassessment;

• The Department of Correctional Services: assessmentin pre-sentencing (e.g. diversion and correctionalsupervision), placement in prisons, sentencing and pre-parole, and as investigators in internal criminal cases;

• The South African National Defence Force (CrimePrevention Unit);

• TheNationalIntelligenceAgency(trainingofficersandspecial agents);

• TheDepartmentofForeignAffairs(SouthAfricansserving prison sentences in other countries, organisedcrimeandhumantrafficking);

• The Council for Consumer Services as researchersinthefieldofcrimeandvictimisation;

• Non-Governmental Organisations and researchinstitutions (the National Institute for CrimePreventionandtheReintegrationofOffenders(NICRO),CentreforScientificandIndustrialResearch(CSIR) Crime Prevention Centre, Centre for thePrevention of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR),Inter Trauma Nexus, Institute for Security Studies (ISS),Bee Courtwise, and other similar organisations);

• The private security industry;

• The private sector (Gambling Board, private auditingfirms,bankingindustryinforensicunitsaswellascorporations and in human resources sections incompanies to assess crime risk and prevent/reducecrime,andalsostaffriskassessment/profiling);

• In private practice (court work, court support andpreparation, support services to crime victims).

Application formsClient Service Centre012 420 3111csc@up.ac.za

Finances and bursaries012 420 4061csc@up.ac.za

International desk012 420 3361csc@up.ac.zawiida.leroux@up.ac.za

EnquiriesDr K Booyens (Undergraduate) 012 420 2630karen.booyens@up.ac.za

Prof C Bezuidenhout (BA [Hons] Criminology)012 420 3320christiaan.bezuidenhout@up.ac.za

Prof A Lombard (MA and DPhil [Criminology])012 420 2325antoinette.lombard@up.ac.za

For enquiries contact:Department of Social Work and CriminologyHumanities BuildingTel: 012 420 2325 / 2030 Fax: 012 420 2093http://www.up.ac.za/swc