BA (Hons)

Sociology and Criminology

Teaching & Learning

Understand the main themes within contemporary sociology and criminology. You will explore the problem of crime and its causes and costs to society, and learn what extent individuals shape their own lives and how larger social structures such as gender, ethnicity or social class impact on them. The tabs below detail what and how you will study in each year of your course. The balance of assessments and overall workload will be informed by your core modules and the option modules you choose to study; the information provided is an indication of what you can expect and may be subject to change. The option modules listed are also an indication of what will be available to you. Their availability is subject to demand and you will be advised which option modules you can choose at the beginning of each year of study.

What you'll learn

Study key criminological theories and concepts that form the foundation of our understanding of crime. You'll explore a range of criminological theories, historical and current. This module will highlight the central concepts, along with the strengths and weaknesses of the theories and concepts.
Using an applied approach to sociological inquiries of and towards the city and urban contexts, you will develop your study skills, and focus in particular critical reading and thinking skills and both written and spoken communication skills.
Focus on sociological theories engaged with the emergence and development of capitalism and modernity.
Study the key issues in criminal justice. This module will highlight the role of the media and other sources in influencing public understanding of crime and justice. You'll develop awareness of the contested nature of crime and criminal justice through representations in the news and other cultural media. You'll be able to explain and evaluate contemporary issues which impact upon criminal justice agencies.
You will gain an understanding of both epistemological and methodological aspects of research process. The first part of the module introduces you to fundamental epistemological questions for the social and socio-psychological sciences. In the second part of the module you will focus on discussing key methods and techniques used in social scientific research, such as ethnographic method, semiotic and discourse analyses, and causal analysis.
Study key criminological theories and concepts that form the foundation of our understanding of crime. You'll explore a range of criminological theories, historical and current. This module will highlight the central concepts, along with the strengths and weaknesses of the theories and concepts.
Using an applied approach to sociological inquiries of and towards the city and urban contexts, you will develop your study skills, and focus in particular critical reading and thinking skills and both written and spoken communication skills.
Focus on sociological theories engaged with the emergence and development of capitalism and modernity.
Study the key issues in criminal justice. This module will highlight the role of the media and other sources in influencing public understanding of crime and justice. You'll develop awareness of the contested nature of crime and criminal justice through representations in the news and other cultural media. You'll be able to explain and evaluate contemporary issues which impact upon criminal justice agencies.
You will gain an understanding of both epistemological and methodological aspects of research process. The first part of the module introduces you to fundamental epistemological questions for the social and socio-psychological sciences. In the second part of the module you will focus on discussing key methods and techniques used in social scientific research, such as ethnographic method, semiotic and discourse analyses, and causal analysis.

What you'll learn

Study the idea of intersectionality within criminology and criminal justice. You'll develop a critical understanding of the relationship of aspects of diversity such as social class, gender and ethnicity in relation to crime and victimisation. This module will also explore responses to these phenomena.
Explore sociological perspectives on the role of political and economic power in the creation of social class divisions. You will examine the role of culture, education and the state in maintaining and entrenching class divisions.
Study classical and contemporary social theory. You will focus on some important classical modern theorists such as Marx and Weber and then show how these theories have been developed by social theorists in the 20th and 21st century.
Gain a deeper insight into and training in a variety of social research methods. You will first consider the impact of values, politics and ethics on sociological research before moving on to examine a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods through in-depth examinations of specific pieces of sociological research.
Explore current and critical issues in criminal justice, including issues relating to young people as victims and offenders, media representations of crime. You'll critically examine the way that criminal behaviour has been conceptualised, and responded to, within the Criminal Justice System. This module will encourage a critical discussion of the social, historical, and cultural context of criminal justice practices and agencies.
Study the idea of intersectionality within criminology and criminal justice. You'll develop a critical understanding of the relationship of aspects of diversity such as social class, gender and ethnicity in relation to crime and victimisation. This module will also explore responses to these phenomena.
Explore sociological perspectives on the role of political and economic power in the creation of social class divisions. You will examine the role of culture, education and the state in maintaining and entrenching class divisions.
Study classical and contemporary social theory. You will focus on some important classical modern theorists such as Marx and Weber and then show how these theories have been developed by social theorists in the 20th and 21st century.
Gain a deeper insight into and training in a variety of social research methods. You will first consider the impact of values, politics and ethics on sociological research before moving on to examine a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods through in-depth examinations of specific pieces of sociological research.
Explore current and critical issues in criminal justice, including issues relating to young people as victims and offenders, media representations of crime. You'll critically examine the way that criminal behaviour has been conceptualised, and responded to, within the Criminal Justice System. This module will encourage a critical discussion of the social, historical, and cultural context of criminal justice practices and agencies.

What you'll learn

Undertake an independent piece of original research that you will be expected to plan, implement and report with guidance from a supervisor. You will be expected to demonstrate the ability to search and evaluate relevant academic literature and data and apply the necessary and appropriate research skills for the production of a scholarly empirical or conceptual piece of work.
You will be encouraged to critically interrogate current social theory regarding the key features and characteristics of contemporary societies and their meaning and consequences. You will examine whether key social theories and models adequately describe contemporary societies or enhance our understanding of ongoing processes of social change.
Undertake an independent piece of original research that you will be expected to plan, implement and report with guidance from a supervisor. You will be expected to demonstrate the ability to search and evaluate relevant academic literature and data and apply the necessary and appropriate research skills for the production of a scholarly empirical or conceptual piece of work.
You will be encouraged to critically interrogate current social theory regarding the key features and characteristics of contemporary societies and their meaning and consequences. You will examine whether key social theories and models adequately describe contemporary societies or enhance our understanding of ongoing processes of social change.

Option modules may include

Gain theoretical and practical understanding of the nature of gender, crime and criminal justice in both domestic and international contexts.
Trace the historical, economic, and social contexts wherein race and ethnicity come to be associated with crime, victimisation, and disproportion in the criminal justice system. From individual racist violence to state crime, you'll examine race and ethnicity in relation to both visible and hidden victimisation. You'll also explore these factors as a source of fears of criminality and threat to social order.
Conduct a critical, sociological exploration of the prison - more specifically, the experience of imprisonment. You will deal with concepts such as time and liminality, renegotiations of identity and masculinities, coping, and negotiations of gender to unpack the implications of being in the prison environment on individual prisoners.
Explore different theoretical approaches to understanding masculinities, including social construction and develop your ability to relate these theoretical approaches to a range of empirical topics.
Explore the development of the British welfare state and examine it in terms of the divisions between public and private provision and the conflicting moral judgements that are applied. The ways in which these State interventions build upon and entrench class divisions are studied.
Develop your understanding of the nature of work and organisations in the contemporary global economy. You will build the critical skills needed to understand key theoretical debates regarding new organisational and work-management techniques, new and emerging forms of labour and employment, and the complex and changing relationship between production, consumption and identity in an increasingly globalised economy.
Explore how our identities, so often presented as a natural and eternal condition, are constructed for us by powerful forces of reproduction and representation, ones that blur the lines between fabricated and real, object and subject, outside and inside, in a process which at once helps to maintain social hierarchy and is largely beyond individual control.
Explore the complexities of the sex industry, and related criminological issues and policy. This module will consider both the motivations of those who purchase sexual services and the diverse reasons why individuals are involved in the provision of sexual services. You'll identify the cultural factors which impact on this global industry and the nature and extent of crime and victimisation in indoor and outdoor sex work. This module will also address theoretical understandings of sex work/prostitution, their influences, and the way they impact on the way the industry is controlled. This will include law and policy in Britain and internationally. You'll also understand how these policies impact on sex workers and communities.
Engage with the development of criminal justice policies at a national and global level, drawing on sociological, social policy and socio-legal perspectives. You will investigate the complex inter-relationships between theory, policy and practice in the field of criminal justice. You will be encouraged to evaluate different sources of knowledge about crime and criminal justice, and focus on the role of academic research in shaping and evaluating criminal justice policies.
Look at the cultural and social relationship between tattoos and crime, including the symbolism of tattooing and criminal identity.
Critically explore a range of competing explanations for gendered violence with a particular focus on domestic violence. You will look at issues of gender, age, ethnicity and sexuality in this context. The main themes of the module are domestic violence, physical, psychological and sexual violence, policing and domestic violence, criminal justice and domestic violence, domestic homicide, so called 'honour' crimes, perpetrator programmes and multi-agency working.
Study the historical and socially constructed nature of freedom, crime and criminality within the law. You will look at examples of social movements that illuminate how the law itself is a field of contestation, including piracy, file sharing and poll tax rebellion.
Gain a critical understanding of the lived experiences of individuals who are seeking support to stop offending and recover from substance abuse. You’ll explore the connections between theory, policy and practice, in order to support desistance and recovery, to reduce reoffending and improve resettlement.
Engage with the practice of criminology in a real world context through a period of work-based learning. You'll gain practical experience of a professional work area related to your course.
Focus on the study of children, youth and crime by examining patterns of offending and desistance from crime amongst children and young people. You will consider the ways in which notions of childhood and youth offending have been depicted in academic, political and popular discourses and assess the extent to which these various discourses have influenced the response of youth justice systems to address both children as offenders and also the victims of crime.
Gain theoretical and practical understanding of the nature of gender, crime and criminal justice in both domestic and international contexts.
Trace the historical, economic, and social contexts wherein race and ethnicity come to be associated with crime, victimisation, and disproportion in the criminal justice system. From individual racist violence to state crime, you'll examine race and ethnicity in relation to both visible and hidden victimisation. You'll also explore these factors as a source of fears of criminality and threat to social order.
Conduct a critical, sociological exploration of the prison - more specifically, the experience of imprisonment. You will deal with concepts such as time and liminality, renegotiations of identity and masculinities, coping, and negotiations of gender to unpack the implications of being in the prison environment on individual prisoners.
Explore different theoretical approaches to understanding masculinities, including social construction and develop your ability to relate these theoretical approaches to a range of empirical topics.
Explore the development of the British welfare state and examine it in terms of the divisions between public and private provision and the conflicting moral judgements that are applied. The ways in which these State interventions build upon and entrench class divisions are studied.
Develop your understanding of the nature of work and organisations in the contemporary global economy. You will build the critical skills needed to understand key theoretical debates regarding new organisational and work-management techniques, new and emerging forms of labour and employment, and the complex and changing relationship between production, consumption and identity in an increasingly globalised economy.
Explore how our identities, so often presented as a natural and eternal condition, are constructed for us by powerful forces of reproduction and representation, ones that blur the lines between fabricated and real, object and subject, outside and inside, in a process which at once helps to maintain social hierarchy and is largely beyond individual control.
Explore the complexities of the sex industry, and related criminological issues and policy. This module will consider both the motivations of those who purchase sexual services and the diverse reasons why individuals are involved in the provision of sexual services. You'll identify the cultural factors which impact on this global industry and the nature and extent of crime and victimisation in indoor and outdoor sex work. This module will also address theoretical understandings of sex work/prostitution, their influences, and the way they impact on the way the industry is controlled. This will include law and policy in Britain and internationally. You'll also understand how these policies impact on sex workers and communities.
Engage with the development of criminal justice policies at a national and global level, drawing on sociological, social policy and socio-legal perspectives. You will investigate the complex inter-relationships between theory, policy and practice in the field of criminal justice. You will be encouraged to evaluate different sources of knowledge about crime and criminal justice, and focus on the role of academic research in shaping and evaluating criminal justice policies.
Look at the cultural and social relationship between tattoos and crime, including the symbolism of tattooing and criminal identity.
Critically explore a range of competing explanations for gendered violence with a particular focus on domestic violence. You will look at issues of gender, age, ethnicity and sexuality in this context. The main themes of the module are domestic violence, physical, psychological and sexual violence, policing and domestic violence, criminal justice and domestic violence, domestic homicide, so called 'honour' crimes, perpetrator programmes and multi-agency working.
Study the historical and socially constructed nature of freedom, crime and criminality within the law. You will look at examples of social movements that illuminate how the law itself is a field of contestation, including piracy, file sharing and poll tax rebellion.
Gain a critical understanding of the lived experiences of individuals who are seeking support to stop offending and recover from substance abuse. You’ll explore the connections between theory, policy and practice, in order to support desistance and recovery, to reduce reoffending and improve resettlement.
Engage with the practice of criminology in a real world context through a period of work-based learning. You'll gain practical experience of a professional work area related to your course.
Focus on the study of children, youth and crime by examining patterns of offending and desistance from crime amongst children and young people. You will consider the ways in which notions of childhood and youth offending have been depicted in academic, political and popular discourses and assess the extent to which these various discourses have influenced the response of youth justice systems to address both children as offenders and also the victims of crime.