Course structure
Year 1 core modules
Criminal Justice
This module explores various aspects of the Criminal Justice System, including a range of agencies and institutions that operate within it. Initial focus is placed upon introducing students to the historical foundations of criminal justice in the 19th century and the material/ideological conditions of Victorian Penality. Whilst plotting this historical trajectory towards a contemporary understanding of the Criminal Justice System, a number of facets will be explored including the era of penal-welfarism, the dislocations of neoliberalism, criminal justice under New Labour and the Coalition Government. The aim is to locate our understanding of criminal justice within a broader historical, political, social, and economic context. The module will also explore a number of specific themes, for example, probation, prisons, restorative justice, race and gender and links are made to theory where appropriate.
Popular Criminology
This Level 4 core module introduces students to the study of popular representations of crime, violence, victimisation and justice (popular criminology) within academic criminology, highlighting how popular criminology enhances understandings of crime, violence and victimization on a number of levels. The module explores the value of 'popular criminology' across a range of different formats: crime fiction, true crime, documentary, film and others, for enhancing criminological knowledge beyond academic criminology. The module also considers how more recent technological developments transform and shape our relationship with crime reality and representation. As well as exploring the potential of popular criminological forms, the module adopts a critical approach exploring the limitations of mediated representations of crime and interrogating the consequences of media violence and the place of violence within culture.
Principles of Criminology
The module seeks to provide an introduction to criminological theories and the way in which we understand crime and deviance in contemporary society. The module is designed to serve as a foundation to further criminological theory modules in levels 5 and 6. The intention is to provide a sound basis on which to explore debates about who commits crime, why crime is committed and why crime is seen as a social problem. Students will be introduced to a range of classic and traditional theoretical perspectives which will provide the foundations for more complex and contemporary theoretical perspectives later in the programme.
Principles of Sociology
This module provides students with principles and issues related to classical social theory. The key theorists include Durkheim, Marx, Weber and Veblen. Lectures and seminars will demonstrate the application of theory to relevant sociological concepts. This enables students to apply theoretical models to the study of everyday life. A key aim is to encourage students to begin to understand how one can synthesize, evaluate and compare competing theoretical approaches in sociology. In doing so, students will be offered a way of appreciating the relationships between classical sociological theory, empirical research and applied policy and practice, and how such relationships have emerged historically. Furthermore, the module will provide students with the theoretical competence to argue whether classical sociological theory remains relevant when analysing contemporary policy and practice.
Research in Practice
This year-long module introduces students to the concept of Criminology and Sociology in Practice. Through group projects, students will work on live practical problems and questions related to contemporary issues in Sociology and Criminology. Under the guidance of an academic supervisor, the module will introduce basic research skills, ethical considerations, data analysis and dissemination of findings. This module presents an opportunity to contextualise subject learning in real life examples that may include collaboration with external agencies, businesses and organisations. Projects may include questions on drugs, mental health, housing, policing, victims of crime, domestic violence, fear of crime, austerity, and the night-time economy.
Sociological Approaches to Children and Young People
You are introduced to key theories about the place of children and young people in society, focusing on the relationship between the individual and society, history, and social change to develop an understanding of this area. You gain the skills to critically analyse the role of government and services and consider a variety of explanations for the different life chances experienced by groups of children and young people.
Year 2 core modules
Criminological Theory
This module builds on the theoretical material covered in Year 1 and you develop a more detailed analysis of key ideas in historical and contemporary criminology. The first half of the term deals with the history of ideas in criminology. The second half applies those ideas to contemporary patterns in crime and disorder.
Police and Policing
The module will help students explore the development, organisation and practice of policing in modern society. Students will be introduced to key concepts, theories and debates in the sociology of the police. The module situates policing within the wider institutional configuration of security and social control and facilitates an understanding of how economic, political and ideological factors shape these institutions. It examines a range of historical and comparative issues in police organisation, deployment and practice from a British and comparative perspective. The module also encourages students to reflect on the implications of these dimensions of policing for democratic government, civil liberties and human rights.
Research in Action
This year-long module introduces students to the concept of Criminology and Sociology in Practice. Through group projects, students will work on live practical problems and questions related to contemporary issues in Sociology and Criminology. Under the guidance of an academic supervisor, the module will introduce basic research skills, ethical considerations, data analysis and dissemination of findings. This module presents an opportunity to contextualise subject learning in real life examples that may include collaboration with external agencies, businesses and organisations. Projects may include questions on drugs, mental health, housing, policing, victims of crime, domestic violence, fear of crime, austerity, and the night-time economy.
Research Methods for Social Scientists
This module will enable students to develop an understanding of social research methods in Criminology and Sociology. Students will gain an understanding of the philosophy of social science which will facilitate a more informed awareness of relevant research designs, strategies and methods. This module focuses on equipping students with the knowledge to make reasoned, informed and evaluative decisions in both research design and practice. Through this module, students will develop an understanding of ethical and practical issues in research and engage in practical activities to develop their skills in designing, conducting and analysing research. Designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills required for social science, this module is an important foundation for independent research projects.
Victims, Rights and Restorative Justice
Examine the history of victim studies and the development of victimology as a discipline in criminology.
The role of the victim in criminal justice is key to debate in this field and you examine the growing trend by policy makers to establish a victim orientated system. The growth of agencies supporting victims is also discussed.
Key developments in the academic study of victims, policy implications and the issue of counting victims is explored. The module also examines the debates surrounding the balance of victim and offer rights and we discuss the concept of restorative justice and human rights issues from the perspective of victims.
and one optional module
Understanding Domestic and Sexual Violence
Critically examine the nature, extent and impact of sexual and domestic violence from a range of academic, theoretical, research, policy and practitioner perspectives. Explore the links between the various aspects of domestic and sexual violence, including rape and sexual assault, domestic violence, honour based violence and sexual exploitation.
You engage with the conceptual, methodological and ethical issues which characterise historically hidden problems – and we focus on the continued need for sensitivity in exploring and addressing these issues. The module traces the emergence of sexual and domestic violence as criminological problems, and critically examines the changing legal, policing, criminal justice and community responses.
Understanding the Environment: Inequality, Harm & Society
This module will introduce students to contemporary debates related to the study of our environment. Environmentalism and climate change have become key topics of popular and public debate within recent years and this module asks students to explore the sociological and criminological issues and challenges associated with environmental change. How do societies engage with the environment? What impact do we have on the external landscape? What harms and opportunities emerge from our interaction with the environment? These critical questions will underpin the module and challenge students to think about the impact of environmental change upon our way of life. The themes this module explores may include consumerism and waste, environmental pollution, urban design and infrastructure, population displacement, resource wars and social harm. Students will be asked to critically engage with a range of theories and concepts that aim to make sense of the environment.
Final-year core modules
Consumer Culture and Identity
This module asks you to critically engage with current debates and theories related to the role of consumer culture in our lives. Many suggest that consumer culture plays a central role in our lives and increasingly shapes identity, attitudes, opinions and outlook. This module considers a number of perspectives that requires you to think critically about the impact of consumer culture in our society. You will be introduced to new topics that may include perspectives from cultural studies, critical social theory, cultural and critical criminology, psychoanalysis and sociology. You will also investigate contemporary issues related to consumer culture that may include individualism, waste, happiness, shopping, and status.
Penology
The module encourages the exploration of the relationship between philosophies of punishment, methods and strategies of penal intervention, including sentencing, imprisonment, community sentences and community supervision. The module pays particular attention to the ethical conflicts and dilemmas that emerge because of society’s response to criminal behaviour. Retaining a focus on the key principles of security, control, and justice, the module will explore issues of differential treatment, the response and adaptation of prison populations to penal practices and regimes, the internal culture of the prison, and the role of probation services. The impact of social and economic change on penal policy and practice will be examined in order to question the influence of human rights law on the treatment of offenders.
Research Project
Following a clear academic structure, you produce a research proposal and a written dissertation of no more than 10,000 words.
This project allows you to define your own research design, methods and questions and to focus on a particular area of study over an extended period. You may choose a library based dissertation, an empirical study or a piece of active research in collaboration with a public or third party organisation.
Youth Justice
The module explores the historical background to the youth justice system and critically debates how changes in social policy and legislation have influenced our approach to young people who have offended. The module examines how the construction of young people within society has led to increased surveillance and regulation in their everyday life. In addition, the module analyses how a range of socio-economic factors increase the likelihood that young people will engage in anti-social and offending behaviour. The module explores the relationship between theory, research and practice to understand the experiences of young people when they come into contact with the youth justice system.
and two optional modules
Inside Out
Originating at Temple University in 1996, the Inside Out model of prisoner education aims to promote learning through collaboration and dialogue around issues of crime and social concern. University undergraduates (outside students) alongside serving prisoners (inside students) undertake a 15 week module within the prison setting, facilitated by academic staff. Each student has equality of status, and an equal stake in the learning. There are strict ground rules for participants, and the first four weeks are taken with consideration of these. Most of the taught sessions on this module will be undertaken inside the prison, working alongside serving prisoners. The Inside Out module is demanding and intensive, requiring a high degree of self-reflection, maturity and adherence to the ground rules of the programme, as well as the requirements of the prison regime. A willingness to engage openly with others, a non- judgmental attitude and preparedness to learn within a prison environment are all essential.
Due to the sensitive and intensive nature of this module, places are limited and offered on the basis of application and interview. In addition, successful students will be required to undertake mandatory prison training and security clearance at a level appropriate to attendance at the partner prison. The assessments for Inside Out are a particular kind of reflection paper. The papers call for students to observe, reflect, analyse and then integrate the academic readings with personal reflections upon the Inside Out experience. There are two summative assessments, as well as a formative assessment.
Race, Crime and Social Exclusion
An exploration of the ways the categories of race, ethnicity and social class are constructed and represented by the various forms and institutions that constitute the criminal justice system and wider systems of social control.
You examine the ideological, historical, economic and socio-political context of how race and class came to be associated with crime and criminal justice. We discuss how this association has been generated in part through early criminological discourse and through contemporary academic assessment of evidence and explanations about whether, and to what extent, minority ethnic criminality and victimisation is constructed through racism.
Case studies of criminality and victimisation, policing, stop and search, the courts, penality, genocide, and racial violence are used. You are asked to acquaint yourself with relevant theoretical and policy perspectives and debates about minority ethnic groups in relation to the criminal justice system, and to ask yourself whether theories of racism can enhance a criminological understanding of this area.
Understanding Drugs in Society
The study of drugs and drug use is at an important stage and views of drug use are changing. This module introduces key issues and debates in the field of drug use and misuse. It critically examines the changing status of drug use and the way drug use is conceived as problematic for individuals and societies. The module also highlights how changing attitudes and policy towards drug use reflect broader socio-economic and cultural changes.
You examine how drug policies have attempted to control and regulate intoxication in society by different health and crime prevention strategies. You consider: changing patterns of drug use and the implications of this change for drug users; the representation of drugs and drug use in popular culture; the nature of care provision for ‘problem’ drug users; the conflicting nature of drugs education and the dichotomy between harm reduction and ‘just say no’ strategies and crime prevention strategy as it relates to the ‘war on drugs’.
You also explore possible future policy alternatives such as legalisation and de-criminalisation and examine nations that have taken a more lenient approach to drug use. The module draws on current local, national and international research into social aspects of drug use. You are encouraged to draw on numerous resources including the media and popular culture, the internet, social networking and your own experiences.
