Introduction

Kent is renowned for its research in cultural criminology, to the extent that Canterbury is deemed the capital for this field of criminology.

~ Shannon Bethel, BA Hons Law and Criminology Student

Read Shannon's full interview here

Crime, Culture, Control, First Year Criminology Module. Debating the Revolutions 2011

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

Joint honours

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

• Introduction to Criminology
• Crime, Culture and Control

You will also take core modules from your other degree subject and have the opportunity to choose modules offered by SSPSSR and other departments such as law, politics and psychology.

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.

You will also take be required to take Cultural Studies, 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:

• Gender, Crime and Criminal Justice
• Punishment and the Penal system
• Policing
• Crime, Media and Culture
• Sociological Perspectives on Violence
• Youth and Crime
• Terrorism and Modern Society
• Drugs, Culture and Control
• Forensic Psychology: Theoretical and Applied Perspectives
• Research dissertation

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

Single honours

Please note that it is anticipated that this programme will be available from September 2013.  The following should be read as indicative.

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

• Introduction to Criminology
• Crime, Culture and Control
• Sociology of Everyday Life
• Fundamentals of Sociology

You will also take a further four modules offered by SSPSSR or other departments such as law, politics and psychology.

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.
• Social Research Methods  - This module introduces you to the main research methods used in the social sciences.

AND

• Concepts and Theories in Sociology This modules

OR

• Welfare in Modern Britain

Stage 3
Stage 3 students must take four core modules from criminology

• Gender, Crime and Criminal Justice
• The Sociology of Imprisonment
• Crime, Media and Culture
• Youth and crime

Remaining credits are made up from courses available across the school, including the following:

• Policing
• Sociological Perspectives on Violence
• Terrorism and Modern Society
• Drugs, Culture and Control
• Forensic Psychology: Theoretical and Applied Perspectives
• Research dissertation

Students are strongly encouraged to undertake a research dissertation.

 

 

 

Assessment

A mixture of assessment methods are used. Many courses follow a standard pattern of 50% coursework and 50% examination. Students may also be assessed through multiple choice quizzes, presentations and class participation.

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:

• Professor Chris Hale
• Professor Jock Young
• Professor Keith Hayward (Deputy Director of Teaching and Learning)
• Professor Roger Matthews (Director of Studies: Post graduate programme)
• Dr Kate O'Brien
• Dr Phil Carney (co-Director of Studies: Postgraduate Programme)
• Dr Caroline Chatwin (Director of Studies: Undergraduate Programme)
• Dr Jonathan Ilan
• Dr Jennifer Fleetwood
  

 

The following members offer optional modules in their area of expertise

• Professor Larry Ray
• Professor Frank Furedi

Other Information

Our suite of degree programs reflects our belief that issues of crime and justice are deeply connected to social inequality, state institutions and culture. We strongly believe that studying criminology in an interdisciplinary way offers 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 four 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)
• BA (Hons) Criminology and Cultural Studies (full-time and part-time)
• BA (Hons) Criminology (full-time and part-time) available from Sept 2013

It is also possible to study Law and Criminology. This programme is offered by Kent Law School. Please also note that the degree program is flexible and it is possible to transfer between programmes at the end of Stage 1.

Careers
Students with a degree in criminology from Kent have a bright future. Many have pursued careers in criminal justice agencies such as the police, prisons and probation service. Opportunities are also available for criminology graduates in the voluntary, public and private agencies in areas of crime and justice. High quality teaching at Kent also ensures that students leave with the transferable skills to access graduate training programs in a wide variety of fields from finance to the civil service. Increasing numbers of students go on to apply for postgraduate studies on the MA at Kent. Others have also gone on to take law conversion courses, teacher training and social work qualifications.

All Kent students have access to the Careers Advisory Service. A careers talk for Criminology students is held every academic year and a leaflet for Criminology students can be found at here.