Media and Crime

This module examines the relationship between crime, justice, and the media, exploring how they are constructed and represented across various media platforms. Using key criminological concepts, it analyses the role of the media in shaping public perceptions of crime and justice through news, drama, and documentary formats. The module also considers different media outlets, including print, television, film, and digital media, to critically assess their influence on societal understandings of crime and justice.

Understanding the Criminal Justice System

This module focuses on theories of criminal justice and how these help understand the processes and systems which constitute criminal justice within the UK. The module introduces the different stages, institutions and professional roles within justice systems and how the criminal law operates through the courts. You will observe practices and procedures in a courtroom and analyse them using both the academic resources introduced in the classroom. The module will combine tutor led input and input from guest speakers. 

The Sociology of Crime

The module explores the key sociological perspectives in relation to crime and deviance. It explores theoretical concepts and research that explains patterns of crime and criminal behaviour. Additionally, the module explores the historical development of sociological theory and the links to contemporary debates in crime and society. Topics include but not limited to, Functionalism, Marxism, Left and Right Realism, Labelling and The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy, Gender and Crime, Ethnicity and Crime, Social Class and Crime and Locality and Crime. Students will explore a range of different case studies that can be explained using sociological theory and will explore the extent to which theories can explain a range of different crimes

Youth Offending and Justice

This module provides an in-depth examination of the factors that contribute to youth crime, critically exploring a wide range of criminological theories, both historical and contemporary. You will engage with these theories to understand why young people commit crime, while also evaluating current policies and legislation within the Youth Justice System, with a specific focus on England and Wales.
The module also addresses various strategies aimed at encouraging desistance from crime and the challenges of supporting young offenders in their reintegration into society. Through class discussions and insights from guest speakers actively working in the youth justice field, you will gain a real-world perspective on the complexities of working with young offenders.
By the end of the module, you will be equipped to articulate a well-rounded, informed position on the effectiveness of current policy responses to youth crime and understand the ways in which these responses impact a diverse range of young people.

Criminal Minds

This module explores the contributions of psychological theory to the multidisciplinary study of crime. It introduces key concepts from Psychology, Social Psychology, and Developmental Psychology, providing a theoretical foundation for understanding individual factors influencing deviance, criminal behaviour, forensic mental health, offending, victimisation, and desistance

Criminological Research

This module introduces students to a variety of research methods and analytical techniques that Criminological researchers use to test social theory and study aspects of social life. Topics covered include; the epistemological approaches underpinning quantitative and qualitative approaches and practicalities involved with generating quantitative and qualitative research (e.g. sampling and recruitment). Research methods covered include: surveys; freedom of information requests; official statistics and content analysis; interviews; ethnography and participant observation; archival sources; digital methods. Space is given to discussions of the importance of ethical research.

*Subject to validation

Penology: Punishment and Prisons

This module offers an in-depth exploration of the penal system, examining the history, philosophy, sociology, and practice of state punishment. Punishment, a highly contested subject, has been the focus of extensive critique both historically and in the contemporary world. Throughout this module, you will engage with these critical debates, developing the confidence to articulate your own views on state punishment and its broader implications.
Learners are introduced to a range of historical, conceptual and theoretical approaches to state punishment, providing a foundation for understanding how and why punitive measures are employed. It will critically examine the philosophical justifications for punishment, alongside sociological explanations of its operation and impact.
Followed by an investigation into how these penal ideas manifest in government policy and are implemented in practice, focusing on the roles of courts, prisons, and offender management agencies. By the end of the module, students will have a comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding state punishment and its real-world consequences, equipping them with the analytical tools to critically engage with ongoing discussions in the field of criminology.

Designing Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods

This module gives learners robust training in quantitative and qualitative research methods and practical skills and competencies in the retrieval, analysis and writing up of quantitative and qualitative data

The Psychology of Criminal Behaviour

The module focuses on the psychology of criminal behaviour, focusing on cognitive, social, and forensic psychology theories related to crime. Within this module, students will critically examine the psychological factors that contribute to miscarriages of justice including, false confessions, false allegations, eyewitness testimony and memory reliability. In addition, psychological knowledge will be used to understand topics such as hate crime, terrorism, the link between religion and desistance and vigilantism. This module will allow students to explore how psychological theories and research guides criminal investigations, legal processes and the public attitudes and societal responses to crime and criminal behaviour. Students will critically analyse the extent to which psychological theories can explain criminal behaviour, desistance and miscarriages of justice.

Option modules

Gender and Violence

This module provides a comprehensive understanding of the complex relationship between gender and various forms of violence. A series of case studies, controversial debates, theoretical frameworks, and current research informs this module. The module explores how gender norms and inequalities contribute to the prevalence and experience of violence in different contexts. The module is updated to keep the topics modern, but is likely to cover a range of topics. This module also emphasizes the importance of intersectionality, recognizing how factors such as race, class, sexuality, and disability intersect with gender to shape experiences of violence. Finally, consideration is given to the role played by the social, cultural, and political factors that perpetuate violence. Lectures, discussions, and completion of the assessment will afford learners with critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of the strategies and policies aimed at preventing and addressing different forms of gender and violence.

Global Perspectives in Criminal Justice

This module aims to provide students with a critical understanding of how different criminal justice systems operate across the world, exploring legal traditions, policy frameworks and strategies for crime control in diverse socio-political contexts. Students will be asked to prepare a presentation for a Justice Minister about a chosen crime, topic or location. Students are asked to consider what international approaches can be drawn on to tackle the topic within the United Kingdom. A range of diverse topics will be considered and linked to theory including, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Forced Marriage (FM), Abortion, Honour-Based Violence (HBV), Capital Punishment, Child Homicide and Penology.

*Subject to validation

Equality, Diversity and Criminal Justice

This module invites students to critically explore the complex relationship between societal issues and the criminal justice system. By examining themes of equality, diversity, and justice, this module challenges students to reflect on their own perspectives and experiences, while encouraging deeper understanding of the world they study.
The module’s participatory and evolving nature provides an engaging learning experience where students are encouraged to remain open-minded and actively engage in discussions throughout. Each week builds on previous concepts, providing opportunities for personal and professional growth. By the end of the module, students will have gained valuable insights, ultimately enhancing their abilities as criminology practitioners.
The key topics covered include masculinities, the concept of whiteness, intersectionality, women in criminal justice, and the experiences of individuals with disabilities within the system. These subjects provide a comprehensive understanding of the diverse factors influencing criminal justice, enriching students' perspectives and broadening their analytical skills
This module is designed to provoke thoughtful reflection, foster empathy, and challenge existing norms, all while striving to create a more inclusive and equitable approach to criminal justice.

Undergraduate Project

The undergraduate project affords learners the opportunity for sustained and independent study in the final year of their course. It intends to develop knowledge of, and critical insight into, a topic of the student's choice within the broad area of Criminology. Students are enabled to undertake first-hand enquiry and encouraged to develop an analytical and reflective approach to the subject identified for study. The module aims to encourage the articulation of a critically informed perspective on the subject being studied. It also intends to enable the production of a coherent document or artefact of rigorous academic standards.

Rehabilitation and Desistance

Rehabilitation and Desistance explores the various approaches within the criminal justice system aimed at addressing individuals who have been convicted of criminal offenses. Focusing on rehabilitation and desistance, the module examines how offenders are managed, either through incarceration or through programs designed to promote reintegration and reduce recidivism.
The module begins with an introduction to the concepts of rehabilitation and desistance, encouraging students to critically reflect on how personal values influence attitudes toward offenders. This foundational understanding will then serve as a springboard for analysing a variety of rehabilitative programs aimed at both adults and young people, including those convicted of violent, terrorist, and sexual offenses.
Through a detailed examination of these programs, students will gain insight into the complexities of rehabilitation practices, the challenges of supporting offenders in desisting from crime, and the broader societal and ethical issues surrounding punitive measures and reintegration strategies. By the end of the module, students will be equipped with the knowledge to critically assess and engage with contemporary rehabilitative practices in the criminal justice system.

Option modules
Crime Harm and Victimisation

This module adopts the perspective of Zemiology (the study of social harms theory) to examine the impacts to victims, perpetrators and wider society caused by a range of crimes; harms, violent and abusive behaviours. The module introduces learners to various theories of power, social harm and victimology before considering their application to some contemporary examples. An array of sources will be used to identify the causes, influences and potential impacts of these crimes and harms. The module also evaluates how various agencies have responded to the threats posed by these acts of violence and abuse. Students will explore a range of data to understand the harms posed by violence/abuse on victims, perpetrators and wider society – they will also develop insights into how agencies working together can more effectively ameliorate, reduce and/or where applicable, bring about reparations for the harms caused by violence/abuse.

Crime Control: Accountability and (in)Justice

This module explores the complexities of crime control, accountability, and injustice through conceptual, theoretical, and practical lenses. Students will engage with a variety of theoretical frameworks on social control, examining how these theories are operationalised in contemporary policy and agency approaches towards crime control. The module outlines the historical development and social context of professional policing, focusing on the evolution of legal frameworks and their impact on policing practices.
A central focus will be the exploration of the assumptions and ideologies that shape police discretion, and how these inform the treatment of offenders and victims. Students will critically assess the implications of such discretion, considering its effects on public opinion and its representation in both media and official discourses surrounding policing.
The module will also provide an in-depth analysis of modern policing practices, positioning them within current debates about the challenges faced by law enforcement in an increasingly complex and changing world. This will include consideration of the impact of technological advancements, social media, and evolving societal values on crime control. Students will be encouraged to critically evaluate the balance between accountability and justice within law enforcement, and to consider how policing can be adapted to meet the demands of contemporary society.
By the end of the module, students will be equipped with the tools to critically assess the role of police discretion in crime control and the broader social, legal, and political factors that influence modern-day policing practices.

Cyber Crime: Digital Policing and Challenges

This module involves exploring and analysing cybercrime on social media platforms and the challenges of digital policing in online spaces. Students will critically analyse how crimes including, but not limited to, cyber fraud, hate speech, misinformation, child exploitation, and cyberstalking emerge and evolve within digital environments. The module examines the legal, technological, and ethical complexities surrounding the regulation of online criminal activity in relation to accountability, jurisdictional barriers, encryption, and online anonymity. Students will utilise criminological and psychological theories to understand offender motivations within the digital world and explore patterns within cybercrime. Additionally, this module explores the role of law enforcement agencies, social media companies, and policymakers in addressing cybercrime through legislation, AI moderation, community standards, and law enforcement partnerships.

*Subject to validation