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LAW37740

Academic Year 2025/2026

Victims and Victimology (LAW37740)

Subject:
Law
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Law
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Deirdre Healy
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Victims of crime, long regarded as the forgotten party in the criminal justice system, now occupy a central position in political and academic discourse about crime. Victimology has developed into a core branch of criminology and generated a wealth of knowledge about the experience of criminal victimisation and the needs of victims. This module explores the history and evolution of victimology, including its key schools of thought. Students taking this module will have the opportunity to critically examine a wide range of topics, including the social construction of victimhood, the role of victims in the criminal justice system, the effectiveness of measures designed to support victims of crime, and the unique experiences of particular groups including victims of domestic and sexual violence.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module, students will be able to:

Demonstrate a critical understanding of the socially constructed nature of victimhood

Exhibit a detailed knowledge of key victimology theories, including their strengths and limitations

Understand the role and experiences of victims in the criminal justice system

Critically evaluate the effectiveness of measures designed to support victims of crime

Analyse the experience and impact of criminal victimisation, including on particular groups such as victims of sexual and domestic violence

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

105
Lectures

24
Total

129

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Approaches include lectures, reflective activities and critical writing

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): 2-hour end of trimester exam End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Graded No
70
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Assignment - 1,500 words Week 8 Graded No
30
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

This module is assessed by means of an assignment and an exam. Exam and assignment feedback will be provided in the form of written group feedback through Brightspace. Feedback will be provided within 20 working days of the submission date. Students may also request a meeting with the module coordinator to obtain individual feedback on their assessments.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Mon 16:00 - 17:50
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