UNISA Criminology Course Module 2025-2026
Major combinations:
NQF Level: 5: CMY1501, CMY1502
NQF Level: 6: CMY2601, CMY2602, CMY2603, CMY2604
NQF Level: 7: CMY3701, CMY3702, CMY3704, CMY3705, CMY3706
| Crime Risk Perspectives – CMY2601 |
| Under Graduate Degree,Diploma |
Semester module |
NQF level: 6 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Purpose: To equip students with sufficient knowledge and problem-solving skills pertaining to crime risk perspectives. |
| Research Report in Criminology – HRCMY81 |
| Honours |
Year module |
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 36 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
|
Co-requisite: HMCMY80 |
| Purpose: The purpose of this module is to equip students with the knowledge and skills required for the design of a research proposal and to conduct and report research under supervision in a manner that is appropriate on an Honours level in the discipline of Criminology. Students credited with this module will be able to: Compile an acceptable research proposal that will result in the completion of a research report under supervision that is appropriate to the discipline of Criminology on an Honours level. |
| Principles of Crime Prevention, Reduction and Control – CMY2602 |
| Under Graduate Degree,Diploma |
Semester module |
NQF level: 6 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Purpose: The purpose of this module is to introduce students to research methodology in Criminology. The main focus is to familiarise students with the different methods and techniques that apply in research, as well as the different approaches that are specifically utilized in the discipline of Criminology. This module will equip students with a solid knowledge base to understand the research process and how to plan a research project in Criminology. The module is a necessary requirement for students on the second year level to prepare them for third year research methodology in Criminology, which is more advanced and focuses on quantitative and qualitative research techniques, data and research findings. |
| Child and Youth Misbehaviour – CMY2603 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 6 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Purpose: To gain sufficient knowledge on matters of risk, pertinent issues, prevention and policy pertaining to youth offending and to apply this acquired knowledge in practice to contribute to the intervention and control of young lawbreakers. |
| Dealing with Young Offenders – CMY2604 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 6 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Purpose: To gain knowledge, problem-solving skills and competencies about juvenile justice in South Africa. |
| An Introduction to Research Methodology in Criminology – CMY2606 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 6 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Purpose: The purpose of this module is to introduce students to research methodology in Criminology. The main focus is to familiarise students with the different methods and techniques that apply in research, as well as the different approaches that are specifically utilized in the discipline of Criminology. This module will equip students with a solid knowledge base to understand the research process and how to plan a research project in Criminology. The module is a necessary requirement for students on the second year level to prepare them for third year research methodology in Criminology, which is more advanced and focuses on quantitative and qualitative research techniques, data and research findings. |
| The Explanation of Crime – CMY3701 |
| Diploma,Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 7 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Purpose: To equip students with knowledge and insight into the explanation of criminal behavriour. |
| Crime Typologies – CMY3702 |
| Under Graduate Degree,Diploma |
Semester module |
NQF level: 7 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Purpose: To gain comprehensive knowledge and problem-solving skills concerning the various typologies of crime including their nature and extent. |
| Formal Reaction to Crime – CMY3704 |
| Under Graduate Degree,Diploma |
Semester module |
NQF level: 7 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Purpose: To gain comprehensive knowledge and problem-solving skills concerning formal reaction to crime including an understanding of the process of the adjudication and disposition of offenders, the penal motives, the reintegration process and performance appraisal of the criminal justice system. |
| Victimology – CMY3705 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 7 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: To gain comprehensive knowledge and problem-solving skills concerning victimology as a sub-field of criminology. |
| Contemporary Criminological Issues – CMY3706 |
| Under Graduate Degree,Diploma |
Semester module |
NQF level: 7 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Purpose: To gain comprehensive knowledge and problem-solving skills concerning contemporary crime issues, including an understanding of the incidence of violent crime in South Africa, the causes of various categories of violent crime, theoretical explanation of violent behaviour and the prevention of crimes of violence. |
| Qualitative Research Methodology in Criminology – CMY3708 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 7 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Purpose: The purpose of the module is to equip students with the well-rounded and systematic knowledge and skills that are required to conduct qualitative research in Criminology. The focus falls on qualitative methods and techniques that are used specifically in the context of research in Criminology. Apart from an introduction to various techniques, students are also exposed to the reasoning process required for the proper use of different techniques. Students will also gain skills and basic experience in the collection and reporting of qualitative data and research findings. This module will therefore be useful to students in the criminological sciences who are required to do research or to understand the research process and conventions in order to deal with the literature. It is a necessary preparation for those who wish to continue with criminology at post-graduate level and is therefore a compulsory module. |
| Quantitative Research Methodology in Criminology – CMY3709 |
| Under Graduate Degree |
Semester module |
NQF level: 7 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Purpose: The purpose of the module is to equip students with the well-rounded and systematic knowledge and skills that are required to conduct quantitative research in Criminology. The focus falls on quantitative methods and techniques that are used specifically in the context of research in Criminology. Apart from an introduction to various techniques, students are also exposed to the reasoning process required for the proper use of different techniques. Students will also gain skills and basic experience in the collection and reporting of qualitative data and research findings. This module will therefore be useful to students in the criminological sciences who are required to do research or to understand the research process and conventions in order to deal with the literature. It is a necessary preparation for those who wish to continue with criminology at post-graduate level and is therefore a compulsory module. |
| Fundamental Criminology – CMY4801 |
| Honours |
Year module |
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 24 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: The purpose of this module is for students to be equipped with the comprehensive and systematic knowledge of the schools of thought in Criminology, theories of crime and punishment and integrated theories and their application value for the criminal justice system. These abilities are crucial for criminology students who wish to successfully practise and/or conduct research within the criminal justice system, private and corporate sectors. |
| Introduction to Criminology: Crime, Offenders and Criminal Behaviour – CMY1501 |
| Under Graduate Degree,Diploma |
Semester module |
NQF level: 5 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Purpose: To equip students with knowledge about the crime problem, offenders and criminal behaviour. |
| Contemporary Crime Issues – CMY4803 |
| Honours |
Year module |
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 24 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: The purpose of this module is to expose students to various topical crime phenomena* and for them to gain comprehensive and systematic knowledge and skills necessary to critically interrogate and debate these and allied issues in a criminological context. Conservation crime, cash-in-transit robbery, crime against women and children, victimless crime (prostitution) organised crime (pyramid/ponzi schemes), terrorism, farm attacks, and attacks on police officials. |
| Introduction to Criminology: Victims and Reduction of Crime – CMY1502 |
| Under Graduate Degree,Diploma |
Semester module |
NQF level: 5 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Purpose: To equip students with knowledge about victims of crime and criminal behaviour. |
| Criminological Evaluation and Assessment – CMY4804 |
| Honours |
Year module |
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 24 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: The purpose of this module is for students to be equipped with the comprehensive and systematic knowledge and skills to conduct criminological assessments, evaluations and profiling and to write comprehensive reports to facilitate the management of offenders and victims in the criminal justice system. These abilities are crucial for criminology students who wish to successfully practise within the criminal justice system, private and corporate sectors. |
| Introduction to Criminology: Reaction to Crime – CMY1503 |
| Under Graduate Degree,Diploma |
Semester module |
NQF level: 5 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
|
| Purpose: To gain knowledge about society’s reaction to crime. |
| Applied Research Methodology in Criminology – HMCMY80 |
| Honours |
Semester module |
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: The purpose of this module is to build an understanding of existing research philosophies, theories and approaches in order to apply them when doing practical research related to the discipline of Criminology. The main focus is to develop critical skills and knowledge for the application of research philosophies, theories and approached utilised in the study discipline of Criminology. |
