Criminology (Criminal Justice) BA Honours

Study criminology through the perspective of criminal justice with our research-informed, practice-based, and theoretical approach.

Duration

3 years full-time

Attendance

Full time

Fees

$11,300 (CA) $15,800 (INT)

Course Summary

Our criminal justice degree approaches the subject from a theoretical, research-informed, and practice-based perspective. This means that during your time studying you’ll gain an understanding of the criminal justice system and the different career paths you might want to pursue after graduation. This might mean joining the police or opting to work for support services and charities that work on policy and reform. During your studies, you’ll investigate law and policy to learn about criminal behaviour and the ways it’s shaped by society. The course will expand your thoughts around class, race, and gender, alongside globalisation, so that you’re able to see how these can affect crime. You’ll be taught by leading academics with professional experience within the criminal justice field, like the Home Office and HM Inspectorate of Prisons. We have close links with key criminal justice agencies. This means that you’ll have the chance to take part in real life projects that can support and inform your thinking while you study. Our course will help you to develop your analytical and communication skills while you research and understand policy. You’ll do so through a series of presentations on criminology and its practices within the CA and internationally, building confidence. Your classes will combine criminal theory and detailed examination of real-life case studies from criminal justice settings so you can always see how theory can be applied practically. The course is shaped by leading criminology research, ensuring that you graduate with knowledge of the latest policy developments in criminology and criminal justice. You’ll focus on how the policies are created and implemented, evaluating its influence on society. We frequently host guest lectures from academics, activists, and criminal justice practitioners who bring their specialist knowledge and passion to help inform and inspire you. Previous graduates from this course have gone on to work for the Mayor’s Office of Policing and Crime, the National Offender Management Service and victim support services. We know that sometimes you’ll need assistance and support when it comes to your studies. During your time with us you’ll get assistance from a Personal Tutor. If you require a little extra help then we have Student Learning Assistants and Graduate Academic Assistants on hand to help.

Course Content

Criminological theory lie at the heart of this course and you will study the ways of understanding crime and criminalisation, criminal justice responses and crime control perspectives and practices. You will critically explore the current criminal justice landscape – law, policy, practice and institutions – through a range of established and cutting edge theoretical approaches. You will critically examine specific areas of criminal justice such as prisons and the courts, the relationship between the public and the police, online and globalised crime, and violence and victimisation by engaging with contemporary debates and current issues. You will explore how issues of crime and criminalisation are shaped by social forces such as globalisation, race, social class and gender. You will learn to understand the factors that influence criminological research, policy and practice. Throughout the course you will take part in active debates affecting policy, in areas such as the relationship between the police and public, reform of the prison and probation services, and the working of the criminal courts. We also use current events in the media to stimulate theoretical, philosophical and political debates, which will help to sharpen your critical thinking skills. Our close links with key criminal justice agencies such as the police, the probation service, and youth offending teams means you take part in real life projects from within the system, which can support and inform your thinking and help you to produce original and progressive academic work. You will gain an in-depth knowledge of criminal justice policy and the institutions of criminal justice as well as the ability to critically and theoretically analyse current issues facing criminal justice institutions and practice. Your research, communication and numerical and software skills will be developed across modules and in your final year dissertation. You will also develop advanced analytical skills that will enable you to critically evaluate a wide range of materials including theory and policies, strategies, and operational plans. You will develop excellent awareness of how policy is created, interpreted and implemented, and how this informs society. You will also be able to draw on a wide range of criminological theories and concepts in order to develop a debate or discussion and to justify your conclusions. Furthermore, you will experience professional life through placement options and engagement with practitioners and reformers.

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