Course Catalogue

To enable students to develop an advanced understanding of cutting-edge developments in the fields of criminology and social policy, with a particular focus upon their intersection through the processes of criminalization and the workings of institutions of (in)justice. To enable students to develop a critical awareness of the theoretical and empirical relationships between power and social divisions as they relate to the fields of criminology and social policy. To help students develop a critical understanding of the social, political and historical processes that affect the ways in which crimes and harms are perpetrated and responded to locally, nationally and internationally. To prepare students to develop critical discussion and analysis of complex concepts and to work independently and with some originality. To present students with the opportunity to engage in a sustained piece of in-depth research work which demonstrates an advanced understanding and application of methodology, method and analysis. To enhance the critical, analytic, research and employability skills of students working within or aspiring to work within Criminology and Social Policy related professions.

The programme uses a range of techniques to teach and assess the outcomes listed above. This includes the use of a progressive workshop format that incorporates lectures and practical learning tasks designed to enable students to engage critically and directly with the core knowledge that underpins the fields of study they are working within. All modules have a strong interdisciplinary core, and students will be taught to look outside of traditional fields of study throughout the programme. Teaching reflects a strong belief in the value of student-directed learning to develop and enhance practical and professional skills. Structured choice is maintained throughout the programme to facilitate progression, with learning and the development of the practical skills being achieved through enabling students to direct their studies along the lines in which they see themselves progressing professionally and intellectually. Learning on the course is a collaborative and individual endeavour which contains a number of teaching and learning methods that requiring students to ‘self-direct’ and manage their learning effectively, but there are also elements of group work and research tasks built in to a number of the modules. This is to reflect the importance of working independently as well as collaboratively. Assessment is established by a range different and progressive techniques. This not only facilitates the assessment of the specified learning outcomes above but also those set for each module that the student’s pathway through the programme includes. Through the employment of a diverse portfolio of assessment methods across the programme, individual learner needs will be met, and students will benefit from participatory assessment techniques that equip them with multiple practical and transferable skills upon their graduation such as the ability to present ideas/findings in diverse ways to diverse audiences.

The programme contains a work placement pathway as part of its core learning provision. It is intended that students either undertake a master’s dissertation, or they do a placement research project instead as their 60 credit module. In this way, the programme is able to cater to the needs of students who wish to pursue further studies but with a view to securing employment over and above going on to do a PhD. Placements will be paid or unpaid (so as to enable practitioners to use their current employment if they wish), and managed through the programme team in close collaboration with the school’s employability team. For full details, please see the module proforma for 7106CSP: Practice-Based Research Project.