Criminology and Sociology BSc (Hons) DPS/DIntS

What you'll study

Excited to learn more? For a taster of what you can expect to study on our Criminology and Sociology BSc (Hons) course, take a sneak preview of some of the modules you may have the opportunity to study below.

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

Semester 1

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.

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.

Sociological Imagination Core

Sociological Imagination

The aim of this module is to provide students with basic conceptual tools and study-skills that will help them in the development of their sociological imagination.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Semester 1

Social Theories Core

Social Theories

The module explains the ideas of contemporary social theories in their current context. The module describes and contrasts these social theories to the analysis of current trends in social life.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Semester 1

Investigating the Social World Core

Investigating the Social World

This module examines our social world and discuss some of the most important conceptions of 'society' and 'the social' in social theory, and their relation to human individuals.

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

Social Psychology of Everyday Life Optional

Social Psychology of Everyday Life

The aims of this module are to introduce the ways in which social psychology can be used to examine everyday life, the methods used to study social psychological topics, everyday life and to identify social psychological phenomena in a range of everyday contexts, behaviours and activities.

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

This module explores ideas of race and racism from a sociological-historical perspective and to investigate race as a major category of social inequality and identity.

Youth Justice Optional

Youth Justice

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

Media, Memory and History Optional

Media, Memory and History

The aims of this module is to discuss a range of iconic 20th century films and to examine why these films have earned their reputation by analysing the wider social, political and historical changes acting on media arel in the mass media, how relationships to the past, present and future can be articulated using media texts and technologies, and to understand how the media are implicated in the relationship between individual, social and cultural memory.

Semester 2

Consumption, Culture and Everyday Life Core

Consumption, Culture and Everyday Life

Consumption, Culture and Everyday Life On this module, students learn to critically analyse features of everyday cultural life such as fashion, food and music from a sociology perspective.

The Criminal Justice System in England and Wales Core

The Criminal Justice System in England and Wales