Bachelor of Science in Criminology
Components of the program
A candidate is expected to obtain 161 credits of studies. This will consist of:
(a) Core Course
i. BCR 109 Communication Skills I
ii. BCR 111 Information Literacy
iii. BCR 414 African Studies
iv. BCR 112 Communication Skills II
(b) Departmental Required Courses
i. BCR 103 Crime and Society
ii. BCR 104 Fundamentals of Internal Security and Public Safety
iii. BCR 205 Ethical and Philosophical Foundation of Criminology
iv. BCR 206 Constitutional Issues in Criminal Justice
(c) Seminars (School wide program)
School wide program
(d) Long Essay (Independent Study at Levels 3 and 4 in a semester each
(e) Internship/Attachment (during second or third year long vacation)
Ethical and Philosophical Foundations of Criminology
Criminology has many challenging ethical dilemmas which impinge on the delivery of justice and the perception of justice in the nation. This course is designed to provide systematic introduction of students to the ethical and philosophical issues and moral dilemmas within the field of criminal justice, including principles of justice, autonomy, capacity, freedom, choice, civil liberties, deontology and utilitarianism, philosophical issues in sentencing, police and ethics, ethics in research, issues of confidentiality and professional ethics, and the scope of state control.
During the course students would distinguish between ethics and law and discuss the different schools of thought in ethics, as well as identify and evaluate ethical questions in criminology and law with specific regard to the ethics of the death penalty and crimes against humanity. Students would consider relevant course cases on issues of law and ethics and how those issues were dealt with. The course would also cover the ethical issues on the judiciary, corruption and the administration of justice, gender and ethnicity issues as well as social class roles