An award of the University of East Anglia and the University of Essex
The information contained within this course specification is correct as at 4th January 2011.
UCAS Course Code / UCS Course Code: L390/S82 BSc (Hons) Criminology & Sociology
Course Summary
This course provides students the opportunity to study the transformations of the social world from a sociological perspective linking it with the theoretical and empirical debates regarding issues inherent within Criminology. As such this joint programme will help students develop a range of sociological and criminological knowledge of society which they can apply using appropriate concepts, theories and approaches.
The programme will take a critical exploration of the social world, drawing upon evidence and argument from a wide variety of disciplines offering a number of theoretical and empirical debates regarding issues surrounding social stratification and power, gender and sexuality, sociological and criminological theories and the criminal justice system, to name a few. This programme is enhanced with a commitment to research methods that is evident throughout levels 4 and 5, culminating in the students applying their knowledge and skills to an empirical research project at level 6.
The team adopts a systematic, open and critical approach to the use of evidence and theory rather than the use of a particular method or paradigm. There is no single theoretical framework that dominates, though they will usually emerge from either a sociological; psychological or social policy background. As it is essential that students learn to evaluate theories in relation to evidence, learning is a collaborative process between staff and students using a range of appropriate methods.
Entry Requirements
In order to satisfy the minimum general requirements for admission candidates must:
An applicant whose first language is not English will be required to produce evidence of their competence in the English language in accordance with the Institution’s UCS admissions policy|. In considering individual applications, evidence will be sought of personal, professional and educational experiences and competencies, as appropriate, to provide indications of an ability to:
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Meet the demands of the course
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Benefit from the course
The Head of Division may deem the following to have satisfied the general and course-specific requirements for admission:
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Candidates above twenty-one years of age and above who do not satisfy the general and specific qualification requirements, but who submit satisfactory evidence of having achieved qualifications which are deemed to be equivalent. Particular attention is to be given to the ability to succeed at a level 3 qualification before entering level 4 of an undergraduate degree
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Candidates of twenty-one years of age and above who do not satisfy the general and specific qualification requirements, but who submit satisfactory evidence of the capacity and attainments requisite to enable them to pursue the course proposed in the form of a 1000 word essay
Course Aims
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To develop students’ knowledge, critical understanding and skills in the areas of Sociology and Youth Studies
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To cultivate a questioning and critical approach to the understanding of human behaviour and society
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To encourage cognitive development and autonomous learning
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To develop subject specific, cognitive and key transferable skills of value in employment, further study and personal development
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To provide opportunities that facilitate widening participation by local/non-standard entrants to study Psychology and Criminology at degree level
Core Skills
G= Generic, C= Criminology, S= Sociology
Upon completion of Level 6 (BSc and BSc Hons) students will be able to demonstrate:
Knowledge and Understanding
G1 - Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of a range of theories and perspectives in the analysis of human behaviour and society
C1 - Identify and evaluate a range of key concepts and theoretical approaches in Criminology
C2 - Identify and evaluate political and social processes of victimisation and criminalisation
C3 - Analyse the values and processes that underpin developments in youth and criminal justice, together with the practices of agencies which administer criminal justice policy
C4 - Recognise and appraise complex social problems and how they inform criminological theory and evidence
S1 - Examine a range of processes that underpin social change
S2 - Give a thorough account of social diversity and inequality and their impacts
Intellectual Skills
G2 - Show critical awareness of theoretical developments and ethical issues
G3 - Demonstrate an appreciation of the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge
C5 - Demonstrate an appreciation of competing interpretations of crime and victimisation
C6 - Identify and critique the philosophical, political and ethical values, including Human Rights that influence the key agencies that respond to crime and deviance
C7 - Identify and critique a range of criminological research and evidence
C8 - Assess competing perspectives within criminology in a logical and coherent manner
S3 - Evaluate the distinctiveness of sociological arguments and perspectives
S4 - Evaluate sociological arguments and evidence in a range of social contexts
Practical Skills
G4 - Manage their own learning, and to make use of scholarly reviews and primary sources
G5 - Undertake and critically evaluate a research project
C9 - Demonstrate their evaluative and analytical skills through summarising and analysing arguments, reports, documents and other written and verbal data
C10 - Apply established theories and concepts within criminology and other social sciences to analyse how social needs, social problems and policies in relation to crime, victimisation and responses to crime and deviance are constructed and understood in both national and international contexts
C11 - Undertake either on their own, or in collaboration with others, investigations of social issues in relation to criminological debates
C12 - Apply appropriate ethical standards with regards to a range of research strategies and methods to assess the appropriateness of their use
S5 - Develop sociologically informed questions
S6 - Summarise and explain the findings of empirical sociological research
S7 - Examine a range of research strategies and methods and assess the appropriateness of their use
Key Skills
G6 - Communicate relevant subject knowledge and evidence accurately and reliably with structured and coherent arguments
G7/C13 - Show development of key transferable skills
Key Skills, relate specifically to learning outcome G7, also known as graduate key skills, transferable skills or general skills, comprise communication, information technology, problem solving, numeracy, working with others and improving own learning.
Module Framework
C= Core research related modules – 1 at Level 4, 2 at Level 5 and 2 at Level 6 within PSYC routes
M= Mandatory subject modules within a route where there is also choice (not a core research related module)
Criminology and Sociology
Level 4
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Social Science Research Skills (C)
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Key Thinkers in Criminology
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Law for Criminologists
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Sociology and the Modern World
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Core Sociological Dichotomies
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Understanding Social Change
Level 5
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Quantitative Data in Social Science (C)
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Qualitative Data in Social Science (C)
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Criminological Theory and Social Control
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Criminal Justice Systems
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Social Theory (M)
With a choice of 1 module from:
Level 6
1 (if only 1 sociology option is chosen) from:
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Penology
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Human Rights
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Victims of Crime
With a choice of 1 or 2 modules from:
Teaching, Learning and Assessment
The PSYC course team have a commitment to high quality teaching and learning. The course uses a range of different assessment strategies to assess and facilitate student learning and include: unseen examinations; seen, open-book or take-away examinations; essays and reports; critical reviews, book reviews, workshop reports, lab reports, analytical exercises; individual or group presentations; a dissertation; computer-based assessments and informed discussion and debate via module seminars and blogs.
Timetable
Most modules are delivered in a structured week by week format from September to June. The teaching is divided into three terms and the University year usually finishes for students by later may or early June. A full-time student is expected to take six modules each year. A part-time student will take one to four modules each year.
Lecture and seminar sessions for the modules usually run in the daytime between 9am and 6pm. Students can expect to have to attend university for two to three hours per module per week and to spend at least an equivalent amount of time per week in independent study. This study requirement will often be higher when assessments are due. Students will be provided with timetables when they join the course.
Tutorial and Study Support
There is extensive tutorial support available to students throughout the course – both academic advice and personal tutorial support. Information and advice on study skills is always available with frequent learning opportunities to develop and improve. Tutorial support will be in line with the UCS Tutorial Policy|.
Opportunities on Completion of the Course
Graduates can progress to a wide variety of positions, some to local employment; others look for specialist opportunities further afield. Many graduates opt to pursue further academic qualifications such as MA or MSc degrees in Psychology, Sociology, Criminology or Research. Each year a number of graduates take PGCE courses to become teachers or lecturers in tertiary education. Recent graduates have begun careers in; Probation, Arrest Support, Legal Aid Counselling, Social Work, Careers Advice, Refugee Council, Behavioural Support, Assistant Psychologist, Health Promotion, Bank Management, Retail Management, and Prison Service.
Employers value the qualities and skills of graduates within the social science framework, and most students find suitable work within a short time of graduation.
Alternative Format
Should you require this course specification in an alternative format, please contact us on 01473 338000.
University Campus Suffolk reserves the right to amend the information in this course specification as and when required.