BACHELOR OF SCIENCE HONOURS IN CRIMINOLOGY AND SOCIETY (HCSS)

Module Code	Module Name	Description
HCSS101	Social Dimensions of Justice	In this module, students will be introduced to the Zimbabwean context in which they will have to perform as future legal and criminal justice functionaries. They will develop a basic understanding of what shapes our legal system, the nature of the Zimbabwean law and criminal justice system and how it is applied and administered. They will also develop an awareness of how they can, as legal and criminal justice functionaries, contribute towards building a safer and more just society in conformity with the Zimbabwean Constitution.
HISO100	Introduction to Sociology	This module introduces the sociological approach to the scientific study of society in the cultural context of modernity and post-modernity. At the end of the module learners will develop skills to examine how society is structured and organised, how social actors model and design solutions to and interpret their actions, how patterns of interaction develop and reproduce themselves, and how whole societies become transformed over time. The students will be able to contribute to multidisciplinary teams in addressing social problems.
HCDP100	Introduction to Psychology	The broad overview of psychology as a discipline juxtaposed upon other scientific disciplines such as sociology, economics,geography, medicine, epidemiology, public health, history, law, mathematics, statistics, political science, agriculture and gender. The module introduces students to the core concepts and development of the psychological thought from its origins in philosophy and history
HSWS101	Introduction to Social Work	This module introduces students to the profession of Social Work; its theory and practice. It covers the historical development of the profession; introduces the profession’s values, ethics and practice principles, examines the major social work practice intervention methods, skills as well as the associated professional techniques. The module also introduces the generalist base of social work practice towards development of frameworks, models and guidelines based on the social service delivery networks in different contexts. Social Work’s commitment to social justice and the elimination of poverty in developed and less economically developed contexts is integrated throughout the module. The Ecological Social Systems Framework is also introduced and integrated as diversity and global impacts are introduced. Through this module students are familiarised with social work knowledge base (the eclectic nature of the profession). The module produces a student who is able to apply the theoretical underpinnings of Social Work in a criminology practical context.
HCSS100	Introduction to Criminology	The purpose and object of the module is to enable students to acquire knowledge, skills, values, attitudes and competencies about crime, criminal behaviour, offenders and victims. The module will introduce students to criminological theories, both classical and contemporary-used to explain crime and criminal behaviour, will introduce methodologies used in the measurement of crime and criminal activity and different taxonomies of crime. At the end of the module students should be able to offer basic advice on management of crime
HFPC102	Introduction to Criminal Justice System	The module provides knowledge of criminality and the institutions of criminal justice within their social, economic and political context and seeks to promote an appreciation of the role of justice and the `rule of law’ in the criminal justice system. At the end of this module, a student must be able to meaningfully contribute knowledge to the criminal justice system and probation services, inform the prevailing legal and social instruments to advance the children and adults in conflict with the law
HCSS203	Criminal Justice Administration & Human Rights	This module builds on the knowledge students gained from the foundational modules – Introduction to Criminology and Introduction to Criminal Justice System. It provides the students with an understanding of the nexus between human rights and the criminal justice administration. The module provides students with a general appreciation of human rights protecting alleged criminal offenders and victims of crime (individuals and groups). Students will gain an understanding of human rights and the criminal justice system and explore how human rights are violated or upheld. This will enable them to get a board perspective of criminal justice administration and human rights in Zimbabwe and beyond. Further, the module allows students to explore the role played by various institutions and agencies involved in the administration of criminal justice in the context of human rights.
FSBT100	Social & Behavioural Theory (Faulty Wide Module)	This interdisciplinary module introduces students to foundational concepts in the social and behavioural sciences, spanning Sociology, Social Work, Psychology, Demography, Political Science, Public Policy, and Lifelong Learning. It equips students with analytical tools, values, and competencies to study human behaviour and society through the lens of social and behavioural theory. Emphasis is placed on theorising as a practical activity, encouraging students to critically apply theory to issues affecting individuals, groups, communities, and societies. The module also serves as preparation for professional practice, fostering skills for engaging with policy, politics, economics, and knowledge production as emerging social scientists.
SDLSSB101	Student Development and Life Skills (University Wide Module)	This module equips learners with essential personal, social, and professional skills to thrive in academic and everyday life. It focuses on self-awareness, emotional intelligence, communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and responsible decision-making. Students will also develop practical competencies such as time management, teamwork, leadership, and adaptability, preparing them to navigate challenges and opportunities in both personal growth and future careers.
IDSB101	Information & Digital Skills (University Wide Module)	The Information and Digital Skills module develop learners’ ability to find, assess, and use information effectively while building confidence with digital tools. It covers online research, data management, communication, and collaboration, emphasizing ethical and responsible practices. By completion, learners can critically engage with digital resources across academic, professional, and everyday settings.
LAICSBKI100	Language Acquisition And Intercultural Communication For Social And Behavioural Sciences - KISWAHILI	This is a Kiswahili module targeted for beginners with no prior knowledge of the language. There are no predetermined prerequisites required to undertake this module. Any beginner student who intends to learn and speak Kiswahili as a second or foreign language can benefit from this module. The course offers interactive skills which underlie elementary communication in view of developing learners’ skills in social interactions. The teaching philosophy adopted is based on communicative and competency-based approach to language teaching. Focus is on the competency which learners have to accomplish in the target language for them to be able to communicate naturally in business and other social settings. It is hoped that the module will equip Kiswahili students with listening, speaking, reading and writing skills through various learning activities such as role play, exercises and tests. Upon completion of this module, students will have basic language skills that will enable them to function in multilingual and multicultural contexts in the spirit of Education 5.0.
HCSS204	Gender & Crime	This module will look at issues surrounding crime and gender issues between men and women in Zimbabwe and the world at large. During this module we will try to understand questions like, why mass shootings are mostly conducted by young men, why are victims of rape questioned about their clothing and behaviour, and why are conviction rates for sexual assault so low? Why do men commit more crime than women, and why is this gap shrinking? How is family violence gendered? Why are we fascinated by female serial killers or suicide bombers? Why are so many young men in prison and why is so little being done about this? Why is there so much debate about whether abortion or sex work should be criminalized? What forms of sexual relationships or behaviours have been defined as criminal?
HCSS205	Violent Crimes & Victimology	This module introduces students to the study of violence and victimization. A wide array of information is provided to demonstrate thediverse experiences that victims commonly confront, the process of victimization, and the coping mechanisms victims use to address their difficult circumstances. The course explores the social consequences of specific types of victimization, including family violence, elder abuse, and sexual assault. This course looks at victim service organizations and their roles in attending to the trauma resulting from victimization. This module also explores the notion of “Violence” and builds upon the popular conceptualization of the term as being limited to the use of physical force to injure, abuse, damage, or destroy. Topics to be covered include sexual violence, domestic violence, child abuse, torture; citizen led violent protests and state responsive violent measures. Different forms of violence are interrogated from classic and contemporary theoretical perspectives. Different theoretic underpinnings are tested against practical examples. Violence in precolonial, colonial and post-colonial contexts is examined to the recent COVID-19 pandemic and its forms of violence such as disaster patriarchy. In this module the notion of violence is revisited to be understood from micro/macro perspectives, organizations, citizens versus governments and governments versus citizens. Gender Based violence will be appreciated as affecting both men and women.
HCSS 202	Sociology of Law	This undergraduate second level module is designed to expose students to the foundational frameworks from the Sociology discipline and related Social and Behavioural Science disciplines; in examining law both as an institution whose role is to regulate society and law as field of knowledge. The purpose of the module is to enable students to acquire knowledge, skills, values, attitudes and competencies about law, rights and justice. The module will explore the legacy of classical and contemporary ideas in understanding the role of law in society including on various aspects of how law is practiced in real situations (law in action). The thrust is on application of theory to current legal issues and policies. The approach is to study the law, emphasizing the social, political, cultural and historical aspects of the law, rather than studying legal doctrines and statutes. From this vantage point, the module enables students to understand how the law influences and is influenced by social change, social reproduction, inequality and the prevailing political economy. On another note, it is important to note that this module is underpinned in the new curriculum framework of Education 5.0 and the new University Strategic Plan (2019-2025). The curriculum among other things gives an emphasis on student-centred education, an integrated approach that undermines the rigid divisions between theoretical and practical knowledge, while fostering critical and creative thinking to proffer solutions to social problems.
HCSS206	Critical Perspectives in Criminology	The module helps students to develop both their theoretical knowledge of the area as well as the core skills for academic work at the second level. The module focuses on the theoretical foundations in criminology that challenges the traditional understandings and uncovering false beliefs about crime and criminal justice. It provides an examination of enduring theoretical issues related to crime, law and justice in useful ways. The module promotes the development of criminology as an intellectual approach. It helps students to develop critical thinking, analysis and writing skills. The skills are applied in understanding criminal behaviour that involves examining socio-cultural, biological and psychological interpretations of crime. At the end of the module students should be able to demonstrate critical analysis skills when analysing key criminological theories.
HCSS207	Sociology of Specific Crimes	Using socio-legal lens, this module covers theoretical principles underlying some of the most important specific crimes. The purpose is for students to gain the key knowledge, skills, attitudes and competencies related to analysing and solving problems related to specific crimes. Key categories of crimes can be: crimes against the state and the administration of justice; crimes against the community; crimes against the person and crimes against property. Emphasis is put on the economic-political and socio-cultural milieu of Zimbabwe.
HCSS208	Media and Crime	The Module puts at the centre of study media in all its forms 9ranging from Television, Radio, Press, social media, electronic media (internet) as it mediates reporting on crime; but also, media itself as an object of study.Classical and contemporary theories which seek to elucidate the nexus between media and crime are explored. Also, under focus are “media effects” on the behaviour of the police and the public; are media criminogenic. In this information and internet age, “media effects” are as important an object of study as crime itself.
HFPC201	Youth Justice and Working with Young Offenders	This module is a study of Youth/Juvenile justice process. It examines the overall juvenile system, roles played by different stakeholders, the pre-trial diversion theories amongst other related ideas. Students will discuss the history, organization, processes and functions of the juvenile justice system in Zimbabwe. Emphasis is placed jurisdiction treatment and the juvenile court proceeding.
SDLSSB201	Student Development and Life Skills (University Wide Module)	This module equips learners with essential personal, social, and professional skills to thrive in academic and everyday life. It focuses on self-awareness, emotional intelligence, communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and responsible decision-making. Students will also develop practical competencies such as time management, teamwork, leadership, and adaptability,preparing them to navigate challenges and opportunities in both personal growth and future careers.
CCLSSB201	Critical Consciousness & Life Skills (University Wide Module)	Develops students’ awareness of social, cultural and personal issues while fostering essential life skills for decision-making, problem-solving and responsible citizenship.
RISSB202	Research and Innovation Skills (Faculty Wide Module)	This module equips learners with the essential knowledge, tools, and practices required to conduct effective research and foster innovation in academic, professional, and entrepreneurial settings. It emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and the application of systematic research methods to generate new ideas and solutions.
SSRM201	Social Science Research Methods (Faculty Wide Module)	This module engages with the emergence of Social Science Research Methods and their need to deal with unique experiences, meanings making processes and interpretations of people and thus of society. At the end of the module students should be able to conduct qualitative research to inform policies and development initiatives.
LAICSBPO200	Language Acquisition And Intercultural Communication For Social And Behavioural Sciences -PORTUGUESE	The module seeks to (a) develop four essential Portuguese language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing, enabling effective cross-cultural and intercultural communication and (b) equip students with the skills and competency levels required to attain the A2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This will be achieved through extensive individual and group work on grammar and content, general and discipline-specific vocabulary, language structure and analysis. The module also develops intercultural competencies by incorporating aspects of the culture and civilisation of Portuguese-speaking territories, allowing for a holistic multilingual and intercultural communication experience.
HCSS302	Crime & Public Policy	This course examines historically significant and recent crime and criminal justice policies in terms of their antecedent factors, their impact on measurable outcomes, and their unintended consequences. Public concern with crime continues, despite growing evidence that rates of serious crime are declining. What types of crime problems present the greatest threat to the general public? What are appreciate policy responses? Most day-to-day justice policy is implemented by local agencies enforcing state laws. What is the scope of state involvement in crime and criminal justice policy? Is it possible to distinguish rational crime control policy from rhetoric and political posturing? Together we’ll try to answer these and other questions about crime and public policy. The single text for the course will be supplemented short readings I will distribute. I will also occasionally distribute or otherwise call your attention to articles in newspapers and other mass media
HCSS304	Migration, Crime & Security	This module addresses contemporary human mobility and the crimes embedded therein. The module addresses migration trajectories and their association with various crimes showing the intersection between mobility out of compulsion or poverty and crime. At the end of the module participants should be able to produce migration bulletins with a special focus on crime management as well as gaining knowledge that has practical application and relevance to their own lives and future decisions.
HCSS300	Criminological Theory	The module is a critical appraisal of various theories of crime causation, which include the biological, psychological, economic, and sociological perspectives on the etiology of crime. The module focuses on major theoretical approaches to the understanding of crime, and different types of crime and criminal behaviour. The purpose of this module is to provide the students with a critical understanding of the nature and causes of crime as well as on patterns and trends in criminal activity. Attention is given to the construction of theory as it is informed by social science research, to the social, cultural and political contexts in which these theories have emerged and to the influence of theories in criminal justice policies. In this module, we will evaluate the leading theories of criminal behaviour, with particular focus on theoretical assumptions about human nature and social institutions, and considering the policy implications that flow from these theories. Emphasis is put on application/empirical testing and evaluation of both the classical and contemporary criminological theories.
HCSS306	Corporate & White-Collar Crime	The Module examines the historical, social, cultural, economic and political factors that shapes and causes corporate crime and white-collar crime and provide an analysis of problems caused and the development and implementation of social policies that seeks to address the identified problems caused by corporate crime and white-collar crime. The module elaborates more on issues around corporate crime, where individuals commit crimes serving their companies and types of corporate crimes both intentional and unintentional. Classical works or theories that seeks to explain corporate crime and white-collar crime are examined. Emphasis is put on application/empirical testing and evaluation of both the classical and contemporary criminological theories on cooperate crime and white-collar crime. The course will enable students to differentiate between corporate crime and white-collar crime. The module looks at policy issues towards cooperate crime and white-collar crime, mainly focusing on the question “what needs to be done?
EPECPSB301	Entrepreneurship, Professional Ethics Communication and Philosophy (University Wide Module)	The module capacitates students with skills to organically grow enterprises through cultivating employees that are creative and innovative. These skills and knowledge are the corner stone of enterprise growth as they remove dependence on the owners to all in the organisation. Through the module organisational rejuvenation and sustainable competitiveness hence growth is guaranteed.
SDLSSB301	Student Development and Life Skills (University Wide Module)	This module equips learners with essential personal, social, and professional skills to thrive in academic and everyday life. It focuses on self-awareness, emotional intelligence, communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and responsible decision-making. Students will also develop practical competencies such as time management,teamwork, leadership, and adaptability, preparing them to navigate challenges and opportunities in both personal growth and future careers.
HCSS380	Industrial Attachment	Industrial Attachment provides learners with supervised, hands-on practical experience in a real-world organizational or community development setting. The module bridges theory and practice by allowing students to apply knowledge and skills acquired during their studies to professional environments. It focuses on experiential learning, workplace ethics, problem-solving, and professional development, while exposing learners to institutional operations, project implementation, and stakeholder engagement. The module also emphasizes reflective practice, reporting, and supervision to enhance learning outcomes and career readiness.
HCSS400	Conflict, Terrorism & Political Crimes	The aim of the module is to introduce students to relevant issues within the realm of globalisation, terrorism and international crime: e.g. terrorism, environmental crime, piracy, human trafficking, criminal networks and cybercrime. It will enable students to develop a detailed comprehension of the complexity of these criminogenic experiences. At the end of the module learners should be able to contribute to international efforts of crime management as policy advisors and researchers
HCSS406	Criminal Investigations & Modelling of Data	This module introduces students to the craft of criminal investigation processes, practices and thinking, while developing competencies in data warehouse systems designed to integrate crime data. Students will learn to analyse and mine crime data using statistical computer packages, particularly SPSS, to produce evidence-based recommendations for crime prevention and intervention strategies.
HFPC 401	Policing, Police Psychology and Society	Ethical policing has become an increasingly important subject for debate. The police, like other criminal justice agencies, have a responsibility to safeguard the rule of law. Equally, policing in the Zimbabwe is premised upon the support and confidence of the public, and their position of authority requires the police to take into account the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual. This module deals with the concepts, debates, literature and research relating to police ethics. We will develop a systematic modeland design solutions in the ways in which policing is, and can be, practised. Throughout the programme the use of case studies and scenarios will help provide the backdrop of theoretical and academic discussion. The module particularly develops knowledge of how police ethics and principles of policing related to the practice of criminal investigation and to concepts of policing by consent.
HCSS401	Rehabilitation & Correctional Systems	The correctional machinery is an integral part of the criminal justice. The module focuses on key functions of correctional systems and programmes aimed at achieving rehabilitation and reintegration, equipping the offenders to return to society as productive, law abiding citizens and re-establishing community’s acceptance and faith. At the end of the module students should be able to conduct innovative research on correctional and rehabilitation programmes appropriate for different offenders.
HCSS402	Corruption, Power and Justice	As one of the most perplexing phenomena in human society, corruption exists in almost every country in the contemporary world. At the end of the module students should be able to produce guidelines on how to deal with corruption, produce bulletins for anti-corruption and propose heritage-based corruption prevention and management strategies
HCSS403	Punishment, Penalty and Rehabilitation	This module examines the social, psychological and cultural effects of punishment on the offender or together with the rehabilitative remedies available. Specifically, the module interrogates such concepts as retributive justice, protective justice, social control as well as correctional justice. From a social work lens, the module looks at how social work methods particularly casework, group work and community work can be employed to rehabilitate offenders. The module produces students that are able to produce practices, guidelines or models as alternatives to punishment and approaches to rehabilitation.
HCSS404	Global Diversity, Inequalities and Power	This module challenges the disciplinary boundaries of orthodox criminology which has traditionally focused on matters internal to nation states in the scientific study of crime and criminals. At the end of the module students should be able to advocate addressing global inequalities.
SDLSSB401	Student Development and Life Skills (University Wide Module)	This module equips learners with essential personal, social, and professional skills to thrive in academic and everyday life. It focuses on self-awareness, emotional intelligence, communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and responsible decision-making. Students will also develop practical competencies such as time management, teamwork, leadership, and adaptability, preparing them to navigate challenges and opportunities in both personal growth and future careers.
HCSS470	Research Project	The module spans over two semesters and weights an equivalent of two taught modules. It seeks to create skills of knowledge creation through giving students an opportunity to innovatively choose research problems and address them with the aid of the supervisor. The ultimate aim of this module is to enhance the student’s social research skills through informed and accumulated academic theory for subsequent practice and also consolidate the gained knowledge. At the end of the module students should be able to do independent research and produce quality honours research reports