Criminology, BA (Hons)

Course summary

Criminology aims to understand crime and deviance from a social perspective, exploring how crime and society are connected. We seek to answer questions like: why are some people more likely to commit crimes than others; why are some people more likely to be victimised; how can crime be effectively prevented or controlled; and so on.From a more critical perspective we also consider why some activities are defined as ‘criminal’ in the first place and what this tells us about the workings of power and authority in society.As a Criminology student, you will join a dynamic learning and research community, which includes internationally recognised experts actively engaged in shaping criminal justice policy. Our degree will challenge your opinions and develop your critical understanding, both about crime as well as the social and politics contexts within which it occurs. You will study theories of criminality and criminal justice, the roles and operation of criminal justice institutions, and explore specific topics such as gender-based violence, cybercrime and sex work.You will also learn how to design and carry out criminological research through research projects carried out in the second and final year of study. We offer the option to undertake a placement with a local community organisation to deploy your knowledge in an applied setting.

Year 1 Core modules: Introduction to Criminological Theory will help you develop a sociological perspective on issues of crime, criminality and deviance. It introduces a range of key criminological theories and concepts through examination of four classic criminological studies, followed by an overview of theoretical development in Criminology over the course of the 19th and 20th centuries. Social Research Methods will introduce you to the concept of social research and practice-based inquiry. You will learn how to produce and analyse different kinds of data and develop some basic practical skills in designing and carrying out social research yourself. The Criminal Justice Landscape outlines current debates within the field of criminal justice studies. You will learn about the key agencies of criminal justice including the Crown Prosecution Service, courts, prisons and the police. This module also introduces you to volunteering opportunities within the criminal justice system and actively encourages you to get involved in your local community. Critical Scholarship in the Social Sciences aims to support the transition to university-level study by helping you develop the foundational academic skills that are needed throughout the rest of your degree. Through it you will learn key academic conventions and skills, for example: reading and evaluation; writing and argument; presentation and discussion; and so on. Year 2 Core modules: Contemporary Criminological Theory demonstrates how traditional theoretical models and concepts in Criminology have informed contemporary criminological thought. You will also learn how these recent developments are situated within recent social and political contexts, covering for example radical, realist, gender, control, cultural and postmodernist perspectives. Research Methods in Action supports your development of applied research skills. At the core of the module is a group-based research project you design and carry out on a topic of your choosing. In addition, you will learn a range of methods and techniques for analysing both quantitative (statistics) and qualitative (textual / verbal / visual) data. In recent years, optional modules have included: Communities and Social Justice Crime, Power and Social Inequalities Modern and Contemporary Sociological Theory Policing and Police Self, Identity and Society Sociology of Education Sociology of Health and Medicine Violence and Abuse in Society. Year 3 (Year 4 if undertaking a placement or year abroad) In your final year, you will design and carry out an Dissertation project on a topic of your choosing, in the area of Criminology, Sociology or Social Policy. This may take the form of an empirical research study or, alternatively, a critical discussion of scholarly work on the topic. Your final 10,000-word dissertation thesis comprises one third of your final-year mark and is an excellent opportunity to develop expertise in a topic of personal interest or relevance to a future career area. In recent years, optional modules have included: Community Placement Crime, Justice and the Sex Industry Cyberculture and Cybercrime Drugs and Society Feminist Anti-Violence Activism: Theory in Action Globalisation and the Sex Industry Inside Out: Issues in Criminal Justice Justice, Violence and Abuse Race, Racism and Social Justice in Britain Social Theory and the Politics of Knowledge Sociology of Reproduction and Parenthood The Body as Data: Technology, Power and Human Rights Youth in Crisis: Young People, Crime and Justice.