Criminology BA (Hons)

In broad terms, Criminology is concerned with understanding crime, deviance and criminal justice. Criminologists ask, for example, why it is that some people are more likely to be victims or perpetrators of crime than others; how crime can be effectively controlled and prevented; and even how we come to define particular activities as “criminal” or not in the first place.Overall, the course progressively develops your critical understanding of Criminology through the examination of key concepts and theories as well as substantive issues related to crime and criminal justice. Alongside this, the course teaches critical analytical and methodological skills to equip students with the practical expertise required to engage with and carry out Criminological research. As such, by the end of the course, graduates will be able to draw upon conceptual and empirical material to critically analyse complex Criminological issues in a scholarly fashion.The degree is based on a modular structure, with students required to take the equivalent of six modules (some of which may be ‘double modules’) within each year of study. Over the course of the degree, modules become increasingly focused on specialist topics and issues, with the chance to undertake a Sociological research project on a specific topic of substantive interest in the final year of study.**Year 1**Students will develop knowledge and understanding of foundational concepts and issues related to crime, criminal justice and Criminological research, as a platform for study in years 2 and 3.Compulsory Modules:Criminal Justice LandscapeCritical Scholarship in the Social SciencesClassical Sociological TheoryIntroduction to Criminological TheorySocial Research MethodsOptional Module: Any open module to the value of 20 credits offered elsewhere in the Department or by another Board of Studies, including appropriate credit-bearing language modules offered by the Centre for Foreign Language Study)**Year 2**Students will develop their understanding of key issues in Criminological theory and research building on work completed during the first year of study. Students will also begin to study in detail various topics of substantive Criminological relevance that relate to the Department’s major research themes.**Year 3**In the final year of study, students focus on detailed critical analysis and evaluation of salient social issues drawing upon conceptual knowledge and understanding developed over the previous two years of study. Students will also undertake an independent research project related to a specific area of Sociological interest through their dissertation thesis.**Note:** Every year, we review course structure and core content in light of (e.g.) external and student feedback, and will publish finalised core requirements for 2021 entry from September 2020. This means that the above should be taken as indicative of what the programme offers rather than an exact reflection as some specific details may change**Study Abroad**We are part of the ERASMUS programme which encourages you to study for part of your course in a university of another EU country.We currently have links with the universities of Helsinki in Finland and Duisburg-Essen in Germany. You can also apply to the university-wide international exchange programme with universities in North America, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.For more information on this course, please see our website.