The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Criminology is an undergraduate program that typically spans 3 years, depending on the university or educational system. It focuses on the study of crime, criminal behavior, law enforcement, the criminal justice system, and societal responses to crime. Below is a general outline of the course structure for a BA in Criminology, which can vary slightly between universities.

Year 1: Introduction to Criminology and Social Sciences

Semester 1:

1. Introduction to Criminology
   • Overview of criminological theories and crime types
   • Historical perspectives of crime and punishment
2. Sociology and Social Theory
   • Basic principles of sociology
   • Understanding social structures, institutions, and norms
3. Introduction to Law
   • Basic concepts of law and its role in society
   • Introduction to criminal law and legal systems
4. Psychology and Crime
   • The psychological basis of criminal behavior
   • Theories of personality, deviance, and mental illness
5. Research Methods in Social Sciences
   • Basic methods of research in criminology and social sciences
   • Surveys, interviews, and data analysis

Semester 2:

1. Criminal Justice System
   • The functioning of law enforcement agencies, courts, and corrections
   • Roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders (police, lawyers, judges, etc.)
2. Social Control and Deviance
   • Theories of deviance
   • Mechanisms of social control (laws, norms, sanctions)
3. Penology and Corrections
   • Theories and practices related to punishment and rehabilitation
   • Overview of prisons, probation, parole systems
4. Crime Prevention
   • Approaches to preventing crime at societal and community levels
   • Situational crime prevention strategies
5. Ethics in Criminology
   • Ethical issues in criminology and criminal justice practices
   • Issues of fairness, justice, and human rights

Year 2: Advanced Criminology and Special Topics

Semester 3:

1. Theories of Crime and Criminal Behavior
   • Classical, biological, psychological, and sociological theories
   • Crime causation and individual vs. environmental factors
2. Criminal Law and Procedure
   • Detailed study of criminal law, its application, and the legal process
   • Focus on legal procedures, trials, and courtroom practices
3. Juvenile Delinquency
   • Study of juvenile offenders and the juvenile justice system
   • Causes, prevention, and rehabilitation strategies for youth crime
4. Victimology
   • The study of victims, their experiences, and the impact of crime on them
   • Theories of victimization and responses to victims
5. Policing and Law Enforcement
   • Police role, strategies, and challenges in combating crime
   • Focus on community policing, ethics, and the relationship with the public

Semester 4:

1. Cybercrime and Technology
   • The impact of technology on crime (e.g., hacking, fraud, online trafficking)
   • Law enforcement and policies related to cybercrime
2. Drugs, Alcohol, and Crime
   • Study of substance abuse and its relation to criminal behavior
   • Drug laws, rehabilitation, and prevention strategies
3. Gender and Crime
   • The relationship between gender and crime, including feminist criminology
   • Female offenders, victimization, and gender-specific policies
4. International and Transnational Crime
   • Study of crime that crosses national borders (e.g., human trafficking, terrorism, organized crime)
   • The role of international organizations in combating transnational crime
5. Criminal Psychology
   • In-depth study of criminal behavior from a psychological perspective
   • Profiling, forensic psychology, and offender rehabilitation

Year 3: Specialization, Research, and Practical Applications

Semester 5:

1. Criminal Investigations and Forensics
   • Techniques in criminal investigations, forensic science, and evidence collection
   • Role of forensic experts in solving crimes
2. Research Project/Dissertation
   • Independent research on a criminology-related topic
   • Writing and presenting a dissertation or research paper
3. Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism
   • Study of terrorism, radicalization, and counter-terrorism policies
   • Legal, political, and social implications of terrorism
4. Criminal Justice and Human Rights
   • Exploration of the intersection between criminal justice systems and human rights issues
   • Addressing inequalities and abuses in criminal justice systems
5. Restorative Justice
   • Concepts and practices of restorative justice
   • Focus on repairing harm and restoring relationships in crime-related situations

Semester 6:

1. Practical Internship in Criminal Justice
   • Work placement in a law enforcement agency, legal firm, or related organization
   • Real-world experience in the field of criminology and criminal justice
2. Contemporary Issues in Criminology
   • Exploration of current and emerging issues in crime and criminal justice
   • Topics might include organized crime, environmental crime, policing reforms, etc.
3. Dissertation or Capstone Project (if not done earlier)
   • Completion of an independent research project
4. Electives/Specialized Courses
   • Elective courses based on students' areas of interest, such as white-collar crime, environmental crime, forensic science, etc.

Possible Electives:

• White-Collar Crime
• Environmental Criminology
• Comparative Criminology
• Criminology and Social Policy
• Criminology of Terrorism
• Family Violence and Crime
• Political Crime