Criminology and Social Policy and Social Change - BA (Hons)

Course structure

Duration: 3 years full-time (4 with a year abroad), 6 years part-time (7 with a year abroad)

Modules

The following modules are indicative of those offered on this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.  

On most programmes, you study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. You may also be able to take ‘elective’ modules from other programmes so you can customise your programme and explore other subjects that interest you.

• Year abroad

Teaching and assessment

We use a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, case study analysis, group projects and presentations, and individual and group tutorials. Many module convenors also offer additional ‘clinic’ hours to help with the preparation of coursework and for exams.

Assessment is by a mixture of coursework and examinations; to view details for individual modules click the 'read more' link within each module listed in the course structure.

Contact hours

For a student studying full time, each academic year of the programme will comprise 1200 learning hours which include both direct contact hours and private study hours.  The precise breakdown of hours will be subject dependent and will vary according to modules.  Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.

Methods of assessment will vary according to subject specialism and individual modules.  Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.

Programme aims

The programme aims to:

• produce graduates with analytical and knowledge-based skills relevant to employment in the professions, public service and the private sector
• provide a broad knowledge and understanding of key concepts, debates and theoretical approaches in criminology and social policy, and the relationship between criminology and social policy
• develop new areas of teaching in response to needs of the community
• explore the distribution of welfare and well-being within societies, and the ways in which different societies meet the basic human needs of their populations
• understand the emergence of social problems (including crime) and the responses of welfare and criminal justice institutions, including analysis of the theoretical, political and economic underpinnings of these responses
• help students to link theoretical knowledge with empirical enquiry and to identify and understand different ideological positions
• develop problem-solving skills and an understanding of the nature and appropriate use of research methods used in social science research
• teach students key writing, research and communications skills
• give students the skills and abilities to enable them to become informed citizens, capable of participating in the policy process and equipped for a dynamic labour market.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

You gain knowledge and understanding of:

• the origins and development of UK criminal justice policy institutions
• the principal concepts and theoretical approaches in criminology and social policy
• the ways in which images of crime and notions of crime are constructed and represented
• the origins and development of UK welfare institutions 
• the principles that underlie criminal justice and social policy, how they have changed over time and how they relate to the workings of particular agencies of welfare and crime control
• contemporary issues and debates in specific areas of criminology and criminal justice
• knowledge of the main sources of data about crime and social welfare and a grasp of the research methods used to collect and analyse data
• knowledge of the local, regional, national and supra-national dimensions of social policy and understanding of the links between them
• an understanding of interdisciplinary approaches to issues in criminology and social policy and the ability to use ideas from other social sciences.

Intellectual skills

You develop the following intellectual skills:

• problem-solving and the ability to seek solutions to crime, criminal behaviour and other social problems and individual needs
• research, including the ability to identify a research question and to collect and manipulate data to answer that question
• evaluation and analysis, to assess the outcomes of criminal justice, crime prevention and social policy intervention on individuals and communities
• sensitivity to the values and interests of others and to the dimensions of difference
• interpretation of both research data and official statistics.

Subject-specific skills

You gain the following subject-specific skills:

• identification and use of theories and concepts in criminology to analyse issues of crime and criminal justice
• identification and use of theories and concepts in social policy to analyse social issues
• seeking out and using statistical data relevant to issues of crime and criminal justice.
• seeking out and using statistical data relevant to social issues 
• undertaking an investigation of an empirical issue, either on your own or with other students
• understanding the nature and appropriate use, including the ethical implications, of diverse social research strategies and methods
• distinguishing between technical, normative, moral and political questions.

Transferable skills

You gain the following transferable skills:

• studying and learning independently, using library and internet sources
• developing an appetite for learning and being reflective, adaptive and collaborative in your approach
• making short presentations to fellow students and staff
• communicating ideas and arguments to others, both in written and spoken form
• preparing essays and referencing the material quoted according to conventions in social policy
• using IT to word process, conduct online searches, communicate by email and access data sources
• time management by delivering academic work on time and to the required standard
• working with others: developing interpersonal and teamworking skills to enable you to work collaboratively, negotiate, listen and deliver results.

Careers

Graduate destinations

As part of your degree, you develop critical thinking , transferable knowledge and skills that enable you to work in a variety of professions.

Our graduates have gone on to work in:

• national and local government
• social and cultural policy
• international institutions and NGOs
• the organisation of social and community projects
• media, journalism, broadcasting
• the police force
• criminal justice services
• social services.

Help finding a job

The University has a friendly Careers and Employability Service which can give you advice on how to:

• apply for jobs
• write a good CV
• perform well in interviews.

Career-enhancing skills

As well as gaining skills and knowledge in your subject area, you acquire key transferable skills that are essential for all graduates.

These skills include:

• analysing complex information and making it accessible to non-specialist readers
• writing reports
• using data analysis software
• working effectively and considerately in teams
• an understanding of, and sensitivity to, the values and interests of others.

You can gain additional skills by signing up for our Kent Extra activities, such as learning a language or volunteering.