BA (Hons) Criminology and Social Policy or Sociology (full-time and part-time)

Introduction

Crime and how best to respond to it is a major political issue. There is considerable debate surrounding questions such as:

  • Why is street crime rising?
  • Why has the prison population reached record levels?
  • How should we tackle drug use?
  • What are the most effective ways to reduce crime?

The Criminology degree programmes at Kent examine these issues and explore them within their wider sociology and social policy context.

Here are just some of the benefits of coming to Kent to study Criminology:

  • Criminology teaching staff are at the forefront of their field. They conduct research and publish on a wide range of criminological issues, and their research informs their teaching. At Kent, you will be able to choose from a list of optional modules and these include the latest developments in Criminology.
  • You will have the opportunity to study Criminology in an open, relaxed and supportive environment. As well as developing expertise in Criminology, you will also benefit from the chance to develop a range of transferable skills which will be attractive to future employers. These include research, analytic and communication skills.
  • Students at Kent have frequent contact with practitioners. The Kent Criminal Justice Centre provides a focus for research on crime and criminal justice policy. There is an annual seminar series and conference. We encourage students to participate in these events. Our strong links with criminal justice agencies mean we can help students to gain valuable work experience and to conduct their own research on criminological topics.

Modules

Stage 1

At Stage 1, all students are required to take the following modules.

  • Introduction to Criminology
  • Social Problems and Social Policy: Youth, The Family and the State
  • Sociology

You will also have the opportunity to choose modules offered by other departments. Criminology students often take law, politics and psychology modules.

Stage 2

At Stage 2, all students are required to take the following modules.

  • Sociology of Crime and Deviance - This module explores theories of criminal behaviour from the eighteenth century to the present day. It considers visible and hidden forms of crime and elucidates the social, economic and cultural dimensions of crime.
  • Criminal Justice in Modern Britain - Building upon your knowledge of the criminal justice system gained at stage 1, this module examines the recent history and development of criminal justice agencies including the police, courts, probation service and prisons. The approach adopted is sociological rather than legal and you will be introduced to key debates in contemporary criminal justice policy.

In addition, you will receive training through studying the following modules. They will offer you a thorough grounding in the main approaches to criminological research and allow you to critically evaluate research studies.

  • Social Research Methods
  • Research Project in Social Policy and Sociology (offers an opportunity to focus on researching crime and inequality or crime and punishment)

You will also take be required to take Sociology or Social Policy modules, depending upon your degree programme.

Stage 3

There are no compulsory modules at Stage 3. You will be able to choose from the growing list of optional modules offered below. Optional Modules:

  • Gender, Crime and Criminal Justice
  • The History of Crime and Punishment
  • Policing
  • Crime, Media and Culture
  • Crime and Justice in Europe

You will also take be able to choose from a list of optional Sociology or Social Policy modules, depending upon your degree programme.

Assessment

There is a mixture of assessment methods for different courses, many follow a standard pattern of 50% coursework, 50% examination, but some courses are assessed 100% by coursework.

Teaching

Most modules involve a weekly lecture and a small group seminar. On average you will have four lectures and four seminars a week if you are taking the degree full-time or two of each if you are a part-time student. Most modules are assessed by coursework (50%) and written examinations (50%). Some modules involve the completion of a research project or dissertation. Both Stage 2 (year 2 full-time, years 3 and 4 part-time) and Stage 3 marks (year 3 full-time, years 5 and 6 part-time) count towards your final degree results.

Whilst at Kent you will be taught by the following members of staff:

 

The following members offer optional modules in their area of expertise

Other Information

Joint Honours Programmes with Criminology

Criminology at Kent is offered on joint honours basis only. We strongly believe that studying Criminology alongside a cognate subject offers students the most rewarding study experience and opens up the widest range of opportunities upon graduation. The School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research offers two degree programmes in Criminology:

  • BA (Hons) Criminology and Social Policy (full-time and part-time)
  • BA (Hons) Criminology and Sociology (full-time and part-time)

It is possible to transfer between programmes at the end of Stage 1. It is also possible to study Law and Criminology. This programme is offered by Kent Law School.

Careers

The number and variety of career opportunities related to the control of crime have increased in recent years. As well as the traditional opportunities in criminal; justice agencies, there is an increasing demand for suitable qualified people in the voluntary, public and private sector. You will also have the skills for academic and policy-oriented research. The first cohort of Criminology students graduated in July 2004. Many persued careers related to their degree, whilst other embarked on typical graduate careers. Increasing numbers are applying for postgraduate studies on the named MA and Ph'd in criminology. All have been supported by academic staff and the Careers Advisory Service. A careers talk for Criminology students is held every academic year and a leaflet for Criminology student can be found at here.