Loughborough University
Leicestershire, UK
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Loughborough University

Programme Specifications

Programme Specification

BSc (Hons) Criminology and Social Policy

Academic Year: 2016/17

This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if full advantage is taken of the learning opportunities that are provided.

This specification applies to delivery of the programme in the Academic Year indicated above. Prospective students reviewing this information for a later year of study should be aware that these details are subject to change as outlined in our Terms and Conditions of Study.

This specification should be read in conjunction with:

  • Summary
  • Aims
  • Learning outcomes
  • Structure
  • Progression & weighting

Programme summary

Awarding body/institution Loughborough University
Teaching institution (if different) N/A
Owning school/department Department of Social Sciences - pre 2018
Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body

N/A

Final award BSc/ BSc+DIntS / BSc+DPS /BSc+DIS
Programme title Criminology and Social Policy
Programme code SSUB03
Length of programme BSc (Hons): 3 years full-time, BSc (Hons) DPS/DIS/DInts: 4 years full-time (including a one-year placement)
UCAS code ML24
Admissions criteria

http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/departments/socialsciences/criminologyandsocialpolicy/

Date at which the programme specification was published Fri, 28 Oct 2016 10:56:39 BST

1. Programme Aims

  • To provide students with an intellectually stimulating environment in which they can develop the necessary critical and practical skills for the analysis of criminology and social policy. 
  • To provide students with the opportunity to study criminology and social policy in a multidisciplinary context where the value of interdisciplinary analysis is explored.
  • To enable students to gain a broad knowledge and understanding of the theoretical and empirical bases of criminology and social policy.
  • To enable students to gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of particular aspects of criminology and social policy.
  • To provide students with a knowledge and understanding of the historical origins and development of British social policy and social issues and associated welfare agencies.
  • To provide students with an understanding of how public concerns become issues of social and criminal justice policy and practiceand appear on the social agenda, and how policies are formulated and implemented.
  • To familiarise students with British organisational and institutional arrangements for addressing issues of social and criminal justice policy and practice.
  • To develop students’ ability to theorise about issues in criminology and social policy.
  • To provide students with a knowledge and understanding of contemporary issues relating to criminal justice and agencies of criminal justice in England and Wales.
  • To familiarise students with contemporary issues in policing and crime control.
  • To develop the ability of students to conduct independent enquiry in the fields of criminology and social policy, using appropriate methodologies.
  • To provide a high quality honours programme in criminology and social policy, which enhances students’ career and employment opportunities on graduating.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

  • The Benchmark Statement for Social Policy and Administration
  • The Benchmark Statement for Criminology
  • Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (2008)
  • University Learning and Teaching Strategy
  • External Examiners’ Reports for BSc Criminology and Social Policy

 

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the following areas:

  • A broad overview of contemporary British social policy.
  • A broad overview of contemporary British criminology.
  • A detailed knowledge of a number of key issues in social policy.
  • A detailed knowledge of a number of key issues in criminology.
  • An understanding of the nature of crime and how the relevant agencies and agents respond to it.
  • An understanding of the policy process, and the agencies and agents through which social policies are developed and delivered.
  • An understanding of the main theoretical approaches within criminology and their relevance in any analysis of specific criminological issues.
  • An understanding of the main theoretical approaches and ideologies associated with welfare provision and of their relevance in any analysis of specific areas of social policy or particular social issues.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

  • Understand criminological and social policy questions and investigate them.
  • Have an appreciation of the complexity of criminological and social problems and be able to assess the merits of competing theories and explanations.
  • Interpret the values and practices of agencies that respond to criminological and social policy issues.
  • Apply relevant theory and research methods to problems and questions in criminology and social policy.
b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

  • Understand the nature of questions in social policy and criminology and investigate them.
  • Use appropriate analytical methods and research tools in relation to criminological and social problems; including quantitative, qualitative and evaluative techniques.
  • Analyse and assess social policy and criminological findings methodologically and communicate information about them.
  • Examine the relevance of social policy and criminological research at a national and international level.
  • Communicate ideas for different audiences orally and to write essays, reports and a major dissertation.
  • Act professionally and in accordance with ethical propriety.
c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

  • Marshal evidence in support of arguments and analysis.
  • Produce reasoned and structured arguments both orally and in writing.
  • Use information technology: use instructional material and research tools on computers, and search for relevant material on the internet.
  • Collect data in numerical form, present it in tables and graphs, and analyse it with a range of statistical tools.
  • Clarify questions, consider alternative solutions and evaluate outcomes.
  • Share responsibility for a task with others; agree common goals and methods to achieve them; co-ordinate the use of common resources.
  • Write and speak clearly to topic; to draft and edit presentations and contribute actively to group discussion.
  • Manage self-learning: seek out sources of information, plan time to make the best use of resources and review priorities in the light of deadlines.

4. Programme structure

Programme Code:  SSUB03

This is a three-year long full-time degree programme.  In each of the three parts (years) of the degree (A, B and C), students take modules amounting to 120 credits.  In each part, credit splits across the two semesters may be 60:60, 50:70 or 70:50 (depending on the credit weights available).  In addition, students have the opportunity to undertake a Placement Year (Part I) after Part B.

Important note: No modules may be taken and passed more than once. Optional module availability is subject to timetabling constraints and optional modules may also be subject to change. 

Part A - Introductory Modules

COMPULSORY MODULES (100 credits)

Semester 1

Code

Module Title

Credit

SSA001

Introduction to Sociology: Identities and Inequalities

10

SSA158

Ideas and Controversies

10

SSA201

Introduction to Criminology and Social Policy A

10

Semester 2

Code

Module Title

Credit

SSA002

Introduction to Sociology: Global, Social and Cultural Change

10

SSA156

Self and Identity

10

SSA202

Introduction to Criminology and Social Policy B

10

SSA206

Crime and Social Welfare: Policy in Practice

10

Semester 1 and 2

SSA009

Introduction to Research Methods

20

SSA305

Foundation in Social Sciences

10

OPTIONAL MODULES

Students take TWO 10 credit options from the following:

If only 20 modular weights are chosen, students must choose two further 10-weight modules from the following: 

Semester 1

Code

Module Title

Credit

EUA607

Introduction to Democratic Government

10

SSA301

Introduction to Communication and Media Studies

10

 

 

 

 

 

Semester 2

Code

Module Title

Credit

EUA614

Political Ideologies

10

SSA302

Introduction to Communication and Media Studies

10

 

 

 

Semesters 1 and 2

Students can also choose other modules from the University’s Module Catalogue, approved by the Department of Social Sciences for inclusion in the programme, including languages in French, German, Spanish and Mandarin.

Language Options:  Students who wish to take a language are required to do both Semester 1 and Semester 2 modules

20

 Part B - Degree Modules

COMPULSORY MODULES (80 credits)

Semester 1

Code

Module Title

Credit

SSB006

Social Research Methods

20

SSB201

Criminological Theory

20

Semester 2

Code

Module Title

Credit

SSB203

Operational Policing Issues

20

SSB235

Understanding Criminology Research

20

OPTIONAL MODULES

Students take 40 credits worth of options across two semesters. A selection will be offered from the following list, plus language modules:

Semester 1

 Code

Module Title

Credit

SSB020

Race and Racism

10

SSB216

Women and Crime: Victims, Offenders and Survivors

10

SSB360

The Media in Global Context

10

EUB630

British Politics

10

 Semester 2

SSB023

Religion and Society

10

SSB234

Media, Culture and Crime

10

SSB239

Drugs: Society, Politics and Policy

10

EUB604

Comparative European Politics

10

Semesters 1 and 2

Language Options:  Students who wish to take a language are required to do both Semester 1 and Semester 2 modules

20

Part I:  Placement Year

Placement Year: Students have the opportunity to take a placement year (Part I) after successful completion of Part B. Three placement routes are available:

  • Diploma of Professional Studies (DPS) Route: Students taking this route undertake a programme of professional training leading to the Diploma of Professional Studies (DPS) in accordance with Senate Regulation XI.
  • Diploma in Industrial Studies (DIS) Route:  Students taking this route undertake a programme of industrial training to the award of the Diploma of Industrial Studies (DIS) in the UK or abroad in accordance with Senate Regulation XI.
  • Diploma in International Studies (DIntS) Route: Students taking this route undertake a British Council approved Teaching Assistantship either at a school or other approved placement in a French, German or Spanish speaking country in accordance with Senate Regulation XI. Successful completion of this route leads to the award of the Diploma in International Studies (DIntS). It should be noted that students undertaking a Teaching Assistantship should have a minimum of AS level in the appropriate language, or its equivalent. The equivalent level in the University Wide Language Programme is level 4. Note that students taking this Teaching Assistantship scheme through the Department of Politics, History and International Relations will be registered on module EUI002.  Students taking other work abroad placement opportunities will be registered on SSI002.

Registration on the DIntS, DIS and DPS routes is subject to Departmental approval and satisfactory performance during Parts A and B.

Depending on the Placement type, students are enrolled on one of the following modules:

Semesters 1 and 2

Code

Module Title

Weight

SSI001

Diploma in Professional Studies Placement (DPS)

120

SSI002

Diploma in International Studies Placement (DIntS) - for work placements abroad

120

SSI003

Diploma in Industrial Studies Placement (DIS)

120

EUI002

Diploma in International Studies Placement (DIntS) - for the Teaching Assistantship Scheme

120

Students opting for the Study Abroad scheme in Part B (4.2.2.) will only be allowed to undertake placement year (DIntS, DIS or DPS) in exceptional circumstances, and at the discretion of the Department.

Part C

COMPULSORY MODULES (60 credits)

Semester 1

Code

Module Title

Credit

SSC220

Crime Prevention

20

Semester 2

Code

Module Title

Credit

SSC211

The Criminal Justice System in England and Wales

20

Semester 1 and 2

Code

Module Title

Credit

SSC299

Criminology and Social Policy Project Dissertation

 40

 

OPTIONAL MODULES

Students take 40 credits worth of options across two semesters. A selection will be offered from the list below, plus language modules:

Semester 1

Code

Title

Credit

SSC024

Gender, Sex and Society

20

SSC128

Political Psychology

20

SSC138

Forensic Psychology

20

SSC238

Youth Justice

20

SSC316

Media, Memory and History

20

EUC677

Britain and the EU

20

EUC717

Literacy and Larceny: Free Speech, Copyright and the Tax on Knowledge

20

 Semester 2

Code

Title

Credit

SSC022

Body, Health and the Digital

20

SSC233

Crime and Deviance in Sport

20

SSC237

Sex Work and Sex Industries

20

SSC357

Producing the News

20

EUC674

Power, Violence and Human Suffering

20

EUC664

Politics and Religion

20

Semesters 1 and 2

Language Options:  Students who wish to take a language are required to do both Semester 1 and Semester 2 modules

20

 

 

 

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to progress from Part A to Part B, from Part B to C, and to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification

Candidates' final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments in Parts B and C. The percentage mark for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B 40% : Part C 60% to determine the final programme percentage mark.

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