PMORCRGS - MA Organised Crime and Global Security

This is a taught Masters programme which has face to face seminars and lectures on each of its
modules. These are supported by our e-learning web facility Weblearn where PowerPoint
presentations, additional reading materials and online tutorials can be provided. All students
also are offered personal one to one tutorials to plan work or receive feedback.
You'll critically assess current policies and practices related to national and international crime
control, as well as the links between these and international relations and politics. Option
modules will allow you to specialise in a field that interests you, these include international law
and order, conflict resolution and contemporary issues in criminology

Students will strengthen their knowledge of methodological approaches in criminology and international relations, develop their understanding of international crime datasets and the necessary critical analysis skills needed to review information contained in them. The resultant findings skills will prepare learners for their dissertation research. Analytic skills will be honed through various forms of study and assessment; overall the knowledge and skills acquired on the course can prepare students for doctoral study or research posts, and / or can consolidate their professional experience

More specifically, it will inculcate:

1. An ability to understand and evaluate contemporary trends and concepts in organized crime and global security
2. An advanced understanding of the principles and developments of organized crime and global security
3. The methodological and analytic skills required to conduct research within the generic fields of organized crime and global security.
4. An advanced understanding of specific academic fields that form part of, or are allied to, organized crime and global security
5. A level of knowledge and skill with which students can prepare for doctoral research or research posts

The following learning outcomes incorporate and depend on a systematic understanding
of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, much of
which is at, or informed by, the forefront of the academic discipline, field of study or area
of professional practice.

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1. Apply methods and techniques appropriate to their own research or advanced
scholarship in Organised Crime and Global Security
2. Apply knowledge with originality, based on a practical understanding of how
established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret
knowledge in Organised Crime and Global Security
3. Evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in Organised Crime and
Global Security
4. Evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to
propose new hypotheses
5. Deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of complete data, and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences
6. Exercise self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act
autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level
7. Advance their knowledge and understanding, and to develop new skills to a high level
8. Exercise initiative and personal responsibility, including decision-making in complex
and unpredictable situations
9. Learn independently for the purposes of continuing professional development.
10. demonstrate confidence, resilience, ambition and creativity and be able to act as inclusive, collaborative and socially responsible practitioners/professionals in their joint discipline.

Teaching and learning practices have been aligned with QAA recommendations in order to ensure the quality standards and relevant benchmarking tools. Those attending the MA Organised crime and global security programme will develop a critical understanding of knowledge, reflective practice, analytical techniques and problem-solving skills.

http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuring-standards-and-quality/the-quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

Level 7 awards and relevant guidance:
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/Masters-Degree-Characteristics-2010.pdf

The course is assessed through a variety of tasks that allow for the demonstration of academic learning through mechanisms that support employability skills. Thus, students are assessed through essay, case studies (including reflective, consultancy and individual), oral presentation, critical and systematic reviews, qualitative and quantitative research reports.

PART-TIME

AUTUMN ENTRY

Year 1
GI7073 Human security (Autumn)
SS7079 Criminological research methods (Spring)
Plus 20 credit option module in Autumn or Spring

Year 2:
SS7PA6 Organised crime and global security dissertation
SS7175 Critical and justice issues in criminology (Autumn)
SS7173 Transnational Organised Crime (Spring)
Plus 20 credit option module in Autumn or Spring

SPRING ENTRY
Year 1
SS7079 Criminological research methods (Spring)
GI7073 Human security (Autumn)
Plus 20 credit option module in Spring or Autumn

Year 2
SS7PA6 Organised crime and global security dissertation
SS7173 Transnational Organised Crime (Spring)
SS7175 Critical and justice issues in criminology (Autumn)
Plus 20 credit option module in Spring or Autumn

PG cert: any combination of modules leading to 60 credits
PG diploma: any combination of modules leading to 120 credits

Students will receive information during the appropriate lectures regarding how the
knowledge and competencies from the course can be applied to a wide range of settings.
The modules contain exercises which assist with personal development
(such as workshops and discussions related to the application of ethics to practice
settings). Many of the modules allow students to produce a reflective account outlining the
individual’s experiences and learning in relation to course.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC)
http://www.cqc.org.uk/

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance

Graduates from our masters programmes have found employment with the police,
probation, prisons, the Border Agency, National Crime Agency, Europol and the United
Nations Office of Drugs and Crime, as well as academic or government research posts.
It is the intention that students already engaged in a related occupation will benefit
markedly from the course, in that the latter will provide the academic contextualisation
with which to understand and evaluate the complexity of, and reciprocity between, varied
agencies, departments and policies related to crime, criminology and criminal justice.
Criminology itself is an increasingly strong and prevalent academic discipline. The analytic and research skills acquired on the MA are, of course, transferable to other jobs and areas of expertise.

Previous students from the department’s other graduate course have joined the Police
service either as Police officers or civil investigation officers, some have embarked upon
training to equip them to join the probation service or become social workers working
with young offenders. Other students have joined the voluntary sector working in
residential or drugs/alcohol units. Still others have entered research jobs within the public
or private sector and finally a number have progressed to PhD level studies.

Graduates from our masters programmes have found employment with the police, probation, prisons, the Border Agency, National Crime Agency, Europol and the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime, as well as academic or government research posts.

You will be required to have:

• at least a lower second class honours degree in a relevant discipline such as criminology, or social and behavioural sciences (applications are also welcome from those who have experience in criminal justice or possess relevant professional qualifications)