Criminology and Criminal Justice

This module introduces social science students to quantitative research methods.  There are three aspects to the module.  First, are introduced to quantitative methods: history, philosophy of science and ethics.  Second students undertake a subject appropriate research project involving the formulation of a hypothesis, the writing of survey questions and the testing of the data obtained through the questionnaire.   Three, students construct a project proposal in preparation for final year dissertation work.

Framing the Criminological World offers a critical exploration of explanations and understandings of crime through a criminological lens. The module provides students with an understanding of criminology as a theoretical and applied discipline. Therefore, the module analyses criminological theories of crime and deviance and explores the application of theories in real-life cases. The module focuses on a variety of forms of theory, from Labelling and Reintegrative Shaming Theory to Conflict Theory. The spatial and temporal dynamics of the criminological theory are examined with reference to debates on the carnival of crime and political agendas. Collectively the sessions enable students to develop a comprehensive knowledge and theoretical understanding of criminology as an applied discipline. Finally, it will explore criminological theory as a distinct criminological topic, whilst examining its relationship with social science broadly.

To introduce students to the history of the modern police force. To examine the relationship between police and society.

Forms of punishment have changed over time from the infliction of retributive and immediate bodily pain (hanging, branding etc) in public to the wider use of imprisonment and non-custodial based punishments, such as probation, fines and restorative justice. The module will discuss how and why these changes have taken place. It will explore the types of punishments employed in the UK since the early modern period, beginning in 1718 when transportation overseas as a punishment first began on a large scale, as well as the social and intellectual forces that have had a seminal impact on the development of punishments and sentencing. It will also consider how, over time, the role of the victim in sentencing has altered, as well as the wider social, historical, economic and cultural factors which various theorists argue have driven these changes.

To provide students with sociological theories and perspectives that help to explain racialised differences, identities and ethnicities. To provide knowledge and understanding of the processes and patternings of racialised differences, identities and ethnicites. To examine contexts in which racialised divisions and inequalities continue and are reproduced, as shown in contexts such as education, work and media.

This module will introduce students to key issues related to victimology and current approaches to offender management as a tool to reduce crime. It will consider the relationship between victims and offenders and their interaction with the criminal justice system.

This module provides opportunities for community-based learning through voluntary community engagement. This activity enables students to understand the relevance of their studies within a community context, combining practical experience with academic studies. In addition, it is an opportunity to develop a critical understanding of the Third Sector, and the notion of citizenship. Both subject specific and transferable skills will be developed and utilised throughout this module, thus developing graduate employment attributes.

The Criminology and Criminal Justice Project aims to provide Criminology and Criminal Justice students with the opportunity to research an area of criminological interest in some depth.

This module aims to build upon students’ understanding of the research process gained in the quantitative research methods module at level 5. Students will develop knowledge and understanding of qualitative methods and methodologies and gain practical experience of qualitative data management and analysis. Students will develop critical skills in evaluating differing qualitative methods and methodological approaches. Students will develop a critical understanding of ethical and philosophical issues and the links between theory and methods in qualitative research

To enable study in depth of certain contemporary issues in criminology. To allow critical evaluation of issues in criminology and to relate these to theory, policy and practice.

This module will provide students with an in depth comparative and critical approach to the development, use and controversies involved in the prison as a system of incarcerating criminals. The module considers the development of the modern prison system from 1853 onward and examines the rationales behind the operation, and the ideas of 'success' of imprisonment in the UK. Notions of the politics of punishment are also examined, as is the importance of monitoring prison regimes. Alternatives to prison are also considered.

This module focuses on theoretical perspectives, practices, and the foundations of offender rehabilitation, desistance, and the process of change. It explores the precepts of rehabilitation of offenders, what works in offender management, and how the relevant theories and interventions inform these practices and the practitioners. Desistance is introduced as an associated to rehabilitation concept to particularly inform the understanding of the processes that aspire to ceasing offending behaviour (Weaver and McNeil, 2007). Central part of the above exploration is the supervision of offenders which invites exploration of key aspects and methods, such as Relationship building, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioural techniques, and the Risk-Need-Responsivity and Good Lives models. The module appreciates that multi-agency working remains vital to the above processes and as such the enablers, barriers, and challenges around multi-agency work in rehabilitation are examined. It further incorporates consideration of the elements of diversity, inclusion, and discrimination in the rehabilitation context and how these affect the prospects of community reintegration (Thompson, 2012). The module also aims to integrate examination of the place and role of probation in the process of change due to its direct association with rehabilitation and desistance. The focus of this module enriches the scope of the CCJ curriculum and develop the knowledge from other modules, such as Criminal Justice, Punishment and Society, Prisons and Prisoners, and Theories of Crime. It further integrates the students' critical understanding of Probation and Offender Management and their role within the criminal justice journey. Quite crucially, this module may also assist graduates interested in joining the Probation Service and the relevant training programme (PQiP). The current HMPPS guidance provides that the period of the training programme is reduced from 21 to 15 months if the applicant's degree covered three out of the four listed topics, namely The Criminal Justice System, Understanding Crime and Criminal Behaviour, Penal Policy and the Punishment of Offenders, and Rehabilitation of Offenders, and they clarify that eligible applicants need to have studied modules on at least three of the four topics as part of a degree. As the fourth one in the above list is directly linked and covered in the present module, 6CJ015 provides a great benefit to the students concerned. Additionally, as a standalone module focussing on desistance and rehabilitation, 6CJ015 is very useful to those interested in mentoring or prison work too. It is also worth noting the timeliness of this module which is also telling of its necessity in CCJ curriculums. The part-privatised infrastructure of Probation Service in England and Wales is set to undergo a process of re-nationalisation in June 2021 which will renew and enhance the attention and interest in the service and offender management. The module's focus on rehabilitation, desistance, and supervision as well as direct links to employability makes it now an essential part of a CCJ programme more than ever.

This module examines concepts and theories of serious and organised crime and evaluates its development, impact and initiatives taken to tackle it. Case study material will include drug smuggling, human trafficking, environmental crime and maritime piracy.        

The aim of this module is to introduce students to the idea of young people as criminals, and the youth justice system they move through. Youth crime has been a persistent concern over the past century, with an increasing societal focus and concern on anti-social behaviour. This module will allow students to consider the emergence of ‘youth offending’ and consider whether current youth justice policy is working. The module will explore youth pathways into crime and the treatment of young people in the YJS. The welfare vs. justice debate will be explored and students will gain a critical appreciation of the theory and ideas underpinning youth justice policy and practice in England and Wales.