Criminology & Sociology

Explore alternative conceptions of ‘crime’ and how this affects how ‘crime’ is perceived in society. Discover how these conceptions based on the idea of ‘social harm’, affect our perceptions of crime, the criminal, and criminalisation.

This module supports the development of a range of transferable academic skills which will underpin future research and written/oral assessment. And facilitate independent learning and reflective practice.

Explore the idea of crime in its political, moral, and theoretical context using alternative approaches, methodologies and standpoints to inform critical perspectives on debates about crime, criminality, and the criminal justice system.

This module will introduce the major stages, processes, procedures and personnel comprising the Criminal Justice system in England and Wales.

This module introduces concepts, theories, theorists, texts and debates that have been influential in explaining the origins and development of sociology. Enabling the evaluation of sociological schools of thought and your own standpoint, to show how this links into the social research process.

Explore the sociological significance of popular culture, and its dissemination through contemporary media. To enable the emergence of critical approaches to understanding the social implications of media and popular culture.

This module will support your development and understanding of methodological topics and theories within criminology. Learn how to utilise this to inform a historical understanding of the development of criminology as a colonial enterprise, and current debates around decolonising research at universities.

Develop and extend your understanding of current debates in theory and research. To support the application of strategies and decisions in relation to research practice and planning.

Explore developments in policing history and the sociology of policing and security. Apply explanations and frameworks critically to current issues in policing and security.

Develop knowledge of sociological concepts and theories on the impact of historical context and social change and transition on religion, sects and cults, and societal perceptions of these.

Examine patterns of violence across different contexts, through sociological theories, concepts and methods, with a view to analysing and reflecting on representations of violence.

Explore domestic and international policy, and theoretical debates, relating to violence against women and girls (VAWG).

In this module, you'll explore the use of recreational drugs within an historical context to reflect on the construction of the distinction legal/illegal drugs use. As well as evaluate the effectiveness of policies designed to control drug use from a comparative perspective.

Develop informed insights into career progression and translate this knowledge into practice. While increasing your understanding of how policy is operationalised in workplace settings.

This module will support you in undertaking independent study in an area of your choice relating to criminology and criminal justice.

Explore how collective identities determine how an individual encounters crime and the criminal justice system and its impact on determining criminal justice policy in relation to diverse identities and justice.

During this module, you'll explore theoretical ideas and issues associated with crimes of the powerful such as corporate crime, state crime and genocide.

Your dissertation will normally be related to an area of interest of a member of the academic staff who'll be able to supervise the project. You'll devise an appropriate methodology and theoretical framework and regularly write up your ideas for discussion with your supervisor.

Critically explore a range of core ideas and debates around the use of contemporary imprisonment, both domestically and globally to support reflective thinking and analysis of the use of prison as a method of punishment.

Supporting your critical understanding of the impact of government policy on exploited and marginalised groups, and how this is translated into practice within a range of different countries.

Explore the nature of childhood and its relationship to society and how and why this differs across social systems and societies.

In this module, you'll explore critical representations of gendered violence in the media and how culture, ethnicity and sexuality operate. And explain how western jurisdictions respond to questions raised by violence against women.