Criminology and Sociology (BSc Econ)

The School of Social Sciences is an established centre for teaching and researching Criminology and Sociology.

Criminology is the field of study which focuses on crime, victimisation and responses to crime and deviance. Criminology is both a theoretical and an empirical subject. It has its roots in several social science disciplines, and staff adopt an interdisciplinary approach to their teaching and research. In particular, sociological, psychological and political approaches are explored in the undergraduate Criminology curriculum. The degree also provides students with a thorough grounding in criminological research methods and practice.

Sociology is concerned with the study of society, culture and institutions and is one of the disciplines central to making sense of globalisation and social change. Change is intrinsic to social life, and this drives sociology's dynamic character. Studying Sociology will help you understand and question some of the important transformations that we hear talked about in the media: including changes in family life, the worlds of work, culture and leisure, new technologies, social inequalities, children and childhood, sexualities and much more besides.

Both theory and method are central to this joint degree. Modules draw upon a wide range of qualitative, observational, statistical, historical and comparative data and methods to investigate crime and its control and the nature of human social life. Students will benefit from the impressive range of theory and research methods expertise within the School of Social Sciences. Studying Criminology and Sociology together offers the chance to obtain an excellent grounding in contemporary theories, policies, methods and debates whilst also developing a wide range of transferable skills. It means you will be able to identify, understand and critique the evidence-base of much current public, civic and crime policy.

The School of Social Sciences is in a unique position to offer the Criminology and Sociology joint programme within an interdisciplinary social sciences context. Criminology and Sociology in Cardiff is set within a dynamic and exciting research-inspired environment which our undergraduate students are introduced to. For example final year students usually undertake a dissertation in Criminology or Sociology supervised by experts in their field.

The programme provides an excellent starting point from which to participate effectively in the research and policy process, and to become equipped for a dynamic labour market. It also provides the foundation to develop a range of careers in crime control, social welfare, public policy, social research and related areas. Thus career destinations are varied and include policing, probation, security services, human resources, health, social services - and research within local and national government.

Year one

Core modulesModule titleModule codeCreditsFoundations of Contemporary CriminologySI023820 creditsIntroduction To Social Science ResearchSI012420 creditsSociology, Society and Social ChangeSI023720 creditsKey Ideas in Social ScienceSI016920 creditsOptional modules

Module titleModule codeCreditsLies, Damned Lies and StatisticsSI025820 creditsEducation and SocietySI000520 creditsIntroduction to Social and Public PolicySI023620 creditsIntroduction to PsychologySI024220 creditsPhilosophy & Methodology of the Social SciencesSI025720 creditsYear two

Core modulesModule titleModule codeCreditsSocial Research MethodsSI003020 creditsResponses To CrimeSI020220 creditsOffending and VictimisationSI020120 creditsSocial TheorySI006620 creditsOptional modules

Module titleModule codeCreditsGender Relations and SocietySI007220 creditsChildren and ChildhoodSI014120 creditsSociology of EducationSI023420 creditsMigration, 'Race' and Ethnic RelationsSI023520 creditsSocial Policy AnalysisSI006720 creditsPoverty & Social Security in the UKSI026020 creditsEthnography and Everyday LifeSI024320 creditsInequality & The Division of LabourSI007520 creditsYear three

For year three, students will have a choice of modules, but will be expected to take at least 40 credits from each the following groups:

For Criminology:

• Diversity, Crime and Criminal Justice
• Prisons and Community Sanctions
• Policing: Theory, Evidence and Policy

For Sociology:

• Globalisation and Social Change
• Metropolis : Urban Life and Consumer Culture
• New Frontiers in Sociology
• Science, Risk and Resistance in a Global Age
• Power, Culture and Identity
• Sociology of Health, Illness and Medicine

All other modules are optional.

Optional modules

Module titleModule codeCreditsDiversity, Crime and Criminal JusticeSI018420 creditsPrisons and Community SanctionsSI020320 creditsPower, Culture and IdentitySI016420 creditsGlobalisation and Social ChangeSI015820 creditsMetropolis: Urban Life & Consumer CultureSI016220 creditsNew Frontiers in SociologySI016320 creditsEquality and Diversity in Education and WorkSI022020 creditsDissertationSI013140 creditsConflict & Change in Educational PolicySI015120 creditsPower, Politics and PolicySI020620 creditsSociology of Health, Illness and MedicineSI025020 creditsReflections on Teaching and Learning Practice, Theory and ExperienceSI024120 creditsInternational and Comparative Social and Public PolicySI024720 creditsDigital Society: Theory, Method and DataSI024820 creditsPolicing: Theory, Evidence and PolicySI026320 creditsScience, Risk and Resistance in a Global AgeSI026420 credits The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.