Criminology and Social Policy BSc (Hons)

What you'll study

Our Criminology and Social Policy BSc (Hons) degree takes an exciting and relevant approach to understanding and addressing societal problems, covering:

Understanding crime, its causes and prevention; exploring links between crime and society’s responses to criminality; knowing about the work of the police, the courts, prisons and other criminal justice agencies; alleviating social problems e.g. drug misuse, teenage pregnancy, domestic violence, poverty; addressing social issues e.g. sex education, immigration control; giving recognition to disadvantaged, socially excluded and minority groups;
creating equal opportunity; understanding criminal justice policy and practice; and exploring the links between crime and social policy.

The information below reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. Updates may be made on an annual basis and revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year. Please see Terms and Conditions of Study for more information.

• Year 1
• Year 2
• Final year

Year 1

Semester 1

Identities and Inequalities Core

Identities and Inequalities

The aims of this module are for the student (a) to become familiar with the discipline of sociology through a study of sociological theories and concepts and their application, and (b) to develop a sociological way of thinking.

Introduction to Criminology and Social Policy A Core

Introduction to Criminology and Social Policy A

This module introduces criminology and social policy through a range of issues, case study examples and topical debates. It introduces students to the key theoretical approaches within criminology and social policy that act as a framework for understanding areas such as victimisation, crime prevention, mental health, feminist criminology, prisons, policing, representations of crime in the media and hate crime through racism and homophobia.
- Analyse critically a range of criminology and social issues and problems in contemporary Britain, and the arrangements that have been devised to meet them.

Foundation in Social Sciences Core

Foundation in Social Sciences

The aim of this module is to introduce the key skills necessary for social science students, introduce a selection of key debates in the field, and enable you familiarise yourself with a range of resources and forms of support offered to social science students both within the Department and across the University.

The Contemporary World Arena Optional

The Contemporary World Arena

The aims of the module are to explore various aspects of the contemporary world arena, and to consider the importance of different actors and issues; and to identify links between theory and practice in the world arena.

Introduction to Communication and Media Studies: Contemporary Trends and Issues Optional

Introduction to Communication and Media Studies: Contemporary Trends and Issues

The aim of this module is to provide a general understanding and appreciation of the role and influence of the media.

Self and Identity Optional

Self and Identity

The module will introduce students to a range of psychological approaches to, and knowledge concerning, concepts of identity and the self.

Semester 2

Crime and Social Welfare: Policy in Practice Core

Crime and Social Welfare: Policy in Practice

The aims of this module are to:
- Explore several policy issues through the experience and knowledge of practitioners;
- Provide an insight into the work of selected professions and agencies;
- Introduce crime policy and welfare policy in action and practice

Global, Social and Cultural Change Core

Global, Social and Cultural Change

The aim of this module is to examine global, social and cultural change. The module discusses the discipline of sociology through the study of key issues and concepts of sociology in order to outline a sociological way of thinking.

Introduction to Criminology and Social Policy B Core

Introduction to Criminology and Social Policy B

This module introduces students to the development of welfare state by examining topical debates and case study examples of social policy in practice. It introduces students to the chronological development of the welfare state that acts as a historical framework for understanding pertinent contemporary social issues.

Ideas and Controversies in Psychology Optional

Ideas and Controversies in Psychology

The aim of the module is for students to be introduced to, and engage in, debates around controversial issues in Psychology.

Introduction to Media and Communication: Historical Debates and Perspectives Optional

Introduction to Media and Communication: Historical Debates and Perspectives

The aim of this module is to provide an understanding and appreciation of the history, role and influence of media such as the press, cinema, photography, broadcasting and digital platforms. The focus is on the various challenges and changes that have shaped the development of these media in Britain as well as further afield. More broadly the module provides an introduction to the evolution of various debates and controversies relating to the economic, political and cultural power and significance of these influential phenomena.

Understanding Demographic Institutions Optional

Understanding Demographic Institutions

The aim of this module is to introduce students to the main institutions, powers and dynamics of a liberal democracies.

Semester 1 & 2

Introduction to Research Methods Core

Introduction to Research Methods

The aim is to introduce students to selected research methods and analytical techniques used in social science research.

Language Options Optional

Language Options

French, German, Spanish and Mandarin

Year 2

Semester 1

Criminological Theory Core

Criminological Theory

The aims of this module are to introduce the historical development of criminology as an academic discipline and the role broader social and political processes have played in shaping this, and to explore key concepts and theoretical approaches within criminology and whether criminology as a discipline is still relevant to the study of crime.

Religion and Society Optional

Religion and Society

The aim of this module is to introduce students to main themes and perspectives on the relationship between religion and society, including historical and contemporary analyses of religious belief and practice related to individuals, groups and states.

Political Psychology Optional

Political Psychology

The aim of this module is for the student to acquire an understanding of the relationship between psychology, politics and society.

Women and Crime: Victims, Offenders and Survivors Optional

Women and Crime: Victims, Offenders and Survivors

The aims of this module are to:

• Examine the historical context of criminology and the importance of women's contributions to the study of crime.
• Examine the social and political factors underpinning inequality and crime, violence against women and the contexts in which women become these victims, offenders and survivors of crime.

The Media in Global Context Optional

The Media in Global Context

• Introduce students to the different theoretical perspectives underpinning the study of the media in the international environment, before examining specific aspects of global communication.
• Analyse and summarise existing arguments and critically evaluate evidence provided in course material.
• Acquire knowledge of key concepts, issues and debates within the literature.

British Politics Optional

British Politics

The aim of this module is to provide an understanding of the history, institutions, actors, processes and challenges of British Politics and Government.

Semester 2

Operational Policing Issues Core

Operational Policing Issues

The aim of this module is to examine the structure, organisation and role of the police service in England and Wales and to consider the major problems facing contemporary policing.

Comparative European Politics Optional

Comparative European Politics

The module offers a pan-European introduction to the continent's politics and compares the instututions of, and processes within, democracies across Europe. The module also focuses on the importance of the comparative method and the theoretically-informed empirical research in the field of political science.

Digital Lives and Society Optional

Digital Lives and Society

This module takes a sociological approach and examines how digital technologies change identities, social l interaction and relations, inequalities and the economy.

Drugs: Society, Politics and Policy Optional

Drugs: Society, Politics and Policy

This module requires students to closely analyse key themes, concepts and theories relating to the control of illicit substances over space and time.

Media, Culture and Crime Optional

Media, Culture and Crime

The aims of this module are to examine the relationship between media, culture and crime and to explore media representations of crime and criminal behaviour as well as criminal justice agencies.

Political Communication Optional

Political Communication

Psychological Disorders in Society Optional

Psychological Disorders in Society

To introduce students to the social impact of a range of psychological disorders (of mental well being, cognitive functioning, sensory capacity and social adaptation), with coverage of conceptual and policy issues in diagnosis, treatment and support.

Semester 1 & 2

Advanced Research Methods Core

Advanced Research Methods

The aim is to introduce students to selected advanced research methods and analytical techniques used in social science research.

Language Options Optional

Language Options

French, German, Spanish and Mandarin

Final year

Semester 1

Crime Prevention Core

Crime Prevention

The aim of this module is to analyse what works in crime prevention and how crime prevention strategies can be devised and applied in a range of settings

Youth Justice Core

Youth Justice

To develop a critical understanding of definitions, explanations and responses related to youth crime and youth justice.

Gender, Sex and Society Optional

Gender, Sex and Society

The aim of this module is to introduce students to main themes and perspectives within the sociology of gender, with an emphasis on contemporary analyses of feminism and gendered lives in various social contexts. Students will engage with both theoretical perspectives and empirical analyses.

Race and Racism Optional

Race and Racism