B.Sc Criminology and Security Studies

 

Overview

Criminology and Security Studies programme investigates the bases of social order by drawing on and integrating theories and methods for explaining human behaviours in several disciplines like sociology, anthropology, psychology, political science, economics, philosophy, geography, psychology, genetics, biology and biochemistry. Though Criminology and Security Studies embodies multidisciplinary pedagogy and paradigms that draw on theories and research on explanations of bio-physiological, physical and environmental influences on human behaviour, its dominant models are grounded in the social sciences especially sociology.

The key focus of the criminology component of the programme is to analyse, understand and explain the sources, functions and consequences of law; the determinants of construction and perpetration of crime; reactions to violation of law by society and the state, and reactions to the victims of crime. The security studies component of the programme investigates the construction, dimensions, objects and determinants of safety at various levels of corporate existence of human beings, from the family to the global community. Criminology and Security Studies seeks to advance knowledge on the factors that enhance or undermine the freedom of individuals, communities, and nations. It they also seeks to understand the factors that engender fear and want while promoting holistic development, social orderliness and public safety. The discipline focuses on understanding and explaining the normative foundation of society and its graduates are equipped to identify, advocate and implement policies and programmes that promote, secure and safe society.

 

The philosophy underlying the B.Sc. Criminology and Security Studies programme is to produce graduates equipped with appropriate knowledge to contribute to the development and security of Nigeria, Africa and the global community. The programme emphasises problem-solving theory, research and practice towards problem solving. Graduates from the programme will acquire globally competitive knowledge of theories and research methods in the field and will be able to apply them to design efficient strategies for the prevention, mitigation and control of crime and insecurity as well as promote security at community, society and national levels. The course structure and content have been designed to meet the following needs: understanding of theoretical and research approaches; acquaintance with ontemporary challenges of crime and insecurity within the country and globally; and

the acquisition of competencies to pursue advanced studies and careers or secure

employment in the fields or to engage in entrepreneurial endeavours.

Objectives

The objectives of the degree programme in Criminology and Security Studies are to:

1. equip students with the knowledge of theoretical and methodological approaches in Criminology and Security Studies to enable them understand the sources, functions and consequences of law and the causes and consequences of crime and insecurity;

2. train the students to analyse, design and implement policies and programmes for the prevention and control of crime and insecurity;

3. prepare students for advanced study and career in academic and research institutions;

234. acquaint students with comparative knowledge of global manifestations, prevention and control of crime and insecurity;

5. apprise students with the understanding of systems and agencies for the prevention and control of crime and insecurity within Nigeria and in different contexts and countries;

6. equip students with competences and tools required for career in criminal justice, law enforcement and security; and

7. produce graduates that can apply their knowledge to engagements in research,

consultancies, security services and other entrepreneurial initiatives.

Employability skills

1. Specialist career in government’s law enforcement, security and criminal justice

agencies.

2. Employment in corporate security agencies and departments.

3. Establish and operate security services like consultancy, guard and security companies, marketing of security products.

4. Establish and operate not for profit organisations for advocacy of advancement of

security, criminal justice and human rights in society.

5. Establish and operate commercial research, consultancy and vocational training services in the field of security.

6. Graduate training for teaching and research in tertiary institutions.

21st Century Skills

The 21st century skills expected from the programme are as follows:

1. analytical skills required for trans-disciplinary theoretical investigation, understanding and explaining of the factors that enhance or prevent social disorganisation, deviance, crime and insecurity;

2. research skills and application of learned skills to conduct and evaluate research on sources of crime, insecurity and solutions to them in societies;

3. innovation skills to contribute to the design and implementation of public, corporate and community security programmes;

4. creativity and ability to establish and manage enterprises that provide security services, consultancy and marketing of security-related products;

5. team work and ability to manage security departments, policies, programmes and

regimen in public and private organisations, and 6. global perspectives and challenges of crime, insecurity and transnational mechanisms for their prevention and control.

Unique Features

The unique features of the programme are:

1. sound problem-solving theoretical and research knowledge;

2. trans-disciplinary orientation;

3. knowledge and skills in problem-solving;

4. capacity for entrepreneurial initiatives;

5. exposure to global dynamics of threats, manifestations, prevention and control of

insecurity; including increasing role of private security companies and community driven initiatives; and

6. critical engagement of global academic and policy discourse on the structure, planning, management, equipping, oversight and performance within the security sector. 2425

Admission and Graduation Requirements

Admission requirements

For a four-year programme

In addition to Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) score the candidates who wish to study Criminology and Security Studies must have obtained a credit in Mathematics and English Language plus credit pass in any three of the following subjects: Economics, Government, History, Literature, Biology, Geography and Religious Studies at the Senior Secondary Certificate (SSC), at not more than two sittings.

For the three-year programme candidates shall:

1. possess five credit passes in the SSC at not more than two sittings, of which at least two shall be at advanced level, or four credit passes of which at least three shall be at advanced level provided that such passes are not counted at both levels of the examinations. For emphasis, credit passes in English Language, Mathematics and any of Economics, Geography or Government is compulsory.

2. Diploma certificate obtained at an upper credit or higher in recognised diploma

programme in criminology, criminal justice, law enforcement, and security studies. They must obtain credit in English and Mathematics and any three of the following subjects – Economics, Government, Geography, History, Literature, Biology, and religious studies.

Graduation requirements

To qualify for graduation a candidate must possess the:

1. prescribed minimum requirement of 120 units by NUC CCMAS for Social Sciences;

2. prescribed minimum requirements by the University Senate;

3. prescribed minimum requirements by the Faculty; and

4. prescribed minimum requirements by the Department, including passes in all

compulsory courses and minimum earned credits for each year and the entire

programme.

 

Course Structure

100 Level

Course Code	Course Title	Units	Status	LH	PH
GST 111	Communication Skills in English	2	C	15	45
GST 112	Nigerian Peoples and Culture	2	C	30
CSS 101	Introduction to Criminology and Security Studies	3	C	45
SOC 101	Introduction to Sociology	3	C	45
CSS 102	Introduction to Criminal Justice System	3	C	45
CSS 103	Deviant Behaviours and Social Control	3	C	45
CSS 104	Social Sciences and Human Behaviours	3	C	45
	Total	19

200 Level

Course Code	Course Title	Units	Status	LH	PH
GST 212	Philosophy, Logic and Human Existence	2	C	30
ENT 211	Entrepreneurship and Innovation	2	C	30
CSS 201	Nigerian Law Enforcement and Security System	2	C	30
CSS 203	Comparative Police and Policing Systems	2	C	30
CSS 204	Applied Statistics in Criminology and Security Studies	2	C	30
CSS 206	Conflict Resolution and Peace- building	3	C	45
CSS 202	Nigerian Criminal Procedure and Evidence	2	C	30
SSC 202	Introduction to Computer and its Application	3	C	45
CSS 205	Human Rights and Criminal Justice Systems	2	C	30
CSS 207	Prisons and Correction Services	2	C	30
	Total	22

300 Level

Course Code	Course Title	Units	Status	LH	PH
GST 312	Peace and Conflict Resolution	2	C	30
ENT 312	Venture Creation	2	C	15	45
SSC 301	Innovation in the Social Sciences	2	C	30
SSC 302	Research Method I	2	C	30
CSS 301	Theories of Crime, Criminal Behaviour and Punishment	3	C	45
CSS 303	Research Methods in Criminology and Security Studies	3	C	45
CSS 305	Forensic Science	2	C	30
CSS 302	Theoretical Perspectives on Security	2	C	30
CSS 304	Intelligence and Investigation Management	3	C	45
CSS 306	Internship or Organizational Visit	2	C	30
	Total	23

400 Level

Course Code	Course Title	Units	Status	LH	PH
SSC 401	Research Method II	2	C	30
CSS 401	Research Project	4	C		180
CSS 403	Contemporary Development in Criminology and Security Studies	3	C	45
CSS 406	Comparative National Security Policy and Strategy	2	C	30
CSS 402	Democracy and Governance of Security Sector	3	C	45
CSS 404	Humanitarian Emergency and Disaster Management	3	C	45
CSS 405	National and Transnational Organised Crimes	3	C	45
	Total	20