UDCRINSE - BA Criminology and International Security

The teaching and learning strategy of the BA Criminology and International Security degree is designed to: ensure that the subject content meets, and improves on, the benchmarks set out by the QAA; encourage the acquisition and understanding of knowledge by students, engendering an enthusiasm for the subject and life-skills learning, including the progression from surface learning to deep learning; facilitate students to develop independent skills and responsibilities for their own learning; incrementally strengthen the subject specific knowledge and skills gained by a students, in combination with the awareness and application of skills needed successfully thrive in the workplace.

The course is delivered through a range of pedagogic methods including formal lectures, seminars and workshops. Within this a combination of whole group, small group, and student-led and tutor-led teaching occurs. This includes face-to-face teaching, but also the use of blended learning opportunities. All modules use Weblearn sites to make learning materials and resources available, such as lecture notes, module handbooks, video links, recorded lectures, podcasts and primary documents. Electronic submission of assignments is used in all modules, along with electronic feedback to students, and many lecturers use methods such as online office hours, discussion boards and blogs. A growing number of materials are also available online through the University library, including access to journals and e-books.
This is all designed to open up the learning space for students to enable them to access the degree 24/7, improving the student learning experience, whilst increasing cost-effectiveness and efficiency.
At the heart of the course is an inclusive curriculum which seeks to relate to, and interact with, the diverse experiences and knowledge-bases of its students. It does this by, for example, examining multiple views of the subjects taught, exploring the differential impact of issues on different socio-cultural groups, making material as accessible as possible, offering a wide variety of assessment types, and incorporating student choice and personalization in assessments.
An additional, and important, part of the teaching and learning strategy is the academic research that is carried out by staff. This is used to support teaching through the transferring of staff research skills and knowledge to enhance the student learning experience. There is a strong emphasis upon the link between teaching and research so that staff research provides the basis for teaching on a range of modules, with students benefiting from being taught by specialists.

The degree aims to provide a combination of teaching and learning approaches designed to strengthen the employability of students in a range of occupations, preparing them in particular for a variety of international careers.

To accommodate research leave for academic staff and to ensure that modules are viable in terms of student numbers, the Criminology subject group may withdraw one or more optional modules for a year. To gauge the number of students on optional modules at levels 5 and 6 in the following academic year, module conferences will take place in the spring semester on the core modules SC4058 and SC5062, to ensure that students are informed about their options, are able to select their modules at the next level of study and to enable the subject group to make adjustments for any modules which need to be temporarily withdrawn.

The course aims to:
● Offer a course relevant to a range of careers in the areas of criminal justice, the security sector and related fields

● Ensure that students acquire an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the fields of Criminology and International Security

● Develop students' abilities to analyse critically theories, practices and institutions within Criminology and International Security

● Develop students’ competences in qualitative and quantitative research methodologies

● Assist students in developing a range of social and transferable skills relevant to their intellectual, vocational and personal development, with a particular emphasis on employability

● Provide a curriculum supported by scholarship, staff development and a research culture that promotes breadth and depth of academic inquiry and debate

The following learning outcomes incorporate and depend on systematic understanding of the key aspects of the knowledge base of Criminology and International Security a coherent and detailed knowledge of some specialist areas in depth.

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

1. Deploy accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry within Criminology and International Security

2. Devise and sustain arguments, and/or to solve problems, using ideas and techniques, some of which are at the forefront of Criminology and International Security

3. Describe and comment upon particular aspects of current research, or equivalent advanced scholarship, in Criminology and International Security, recognising the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge

4. Manage their own learning, and to make use of scholarly reviews and primary sources (for example, refereed research articles and/or original materials appropriate to Criminology and International Security)

5. Apply the methods and techniques that they have learned to review, consolidate, extend and apply their knowledge and understanding, and to initiate and carry out projects

6. Critically evaluate arguments, assumptions, abstract concepts and data (that may be incomplete), to make judgements, and to frame appropriate questions to achieve a solution - or identify a range of solutions - to a problem

7. Communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences

8. Exercise initiative and personal responsibility, including decision-making in complex and unpredictable contexts

9. Undertake appropriate further training of a professional or equivalent nature

10. Demonstrate confidence, resilience, ambition and creativity and act as inclusive, collaborative and socially responsible practitioners/professionals in their discipline.

Politics and International Relations
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/sbs/sbs-politics-and-international-relations-23.pdf?sfvrsn=a271a881_4

Criminology
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/sbs/sbs-criminology-22.pdf?sfvrsn=3b3dc81_2

The BA in Criminology and International Relations embeds central aspects from the Education for Social Justice Framework within its assessment strategy. Students will experience diverse and inclusive forms of assessment throughout the course, in many cases being able to tailor assignments to cover the actors, issues or areas they want to learn more about. A variety of teaching and learning methods and assessments are used in line with the principles of an inclusive curriculum and inclusive assessment set out in the ESJ Framework. The course combines both formative and summative assessment opportunities, embracing a variety of methods including: essays, briefing papers, exams, seminar performance, seminar presentations (both individual and group), portfolios, case studies, blogs, policy documents and book reviews. The majority will be tutor assessed, but a number will be peer-reviewed in seminars. Through online assessments, such as blogs, and in-class preparations for assessments, students will be encourage to provide each other with formative feedback (or ‘feedforward’), to assist and support each other in their summative assessments. Prompt feedback will be provided for all assessment, electronically via Weblearn, in-class, or individually with tutors.

At each level of the course, assessment and feedback practices are informed by reflection, consideration of professional practice, and subject-specific and educational scholarship. Staff and students are encouraged to engage in dialogue to promote a shared understanding of the basis on which academic judgements are made, and students are provided with opportunities to develop an understanding of, and the necessary skills to demonstrate, good academic practice. For example, through the use of specimen assignments in classes devoted to assessment, students learn how to better understand and apply the assessment criteria.

The volume, timing and nature of assessments is designed to enable students to demonstrate the extent to which they have achieved the intended learning outcomes. Indeed, with an emphasis on progression, formative assessment is structured to support students in their summative assessment, with feedback being both constructive and developmental. Throughout, the strategy is designed to maximise the development of subject-specific skills and employability skills appropriate to each level of the degree, and to meet the needs of the inclusive curriculum.

Enhancing students’ future career prospects is a central aspect of the degree programme. Employability and work experience are central to the course. All modules have employability embedded within them (see each module specification for further details). At Level 6 there is either an optional Criminology or International Relations work-placement module designed to introduce students to the world of work and develop employability skills. Students are assisted to find a period of work experience, which can be paid or voluntary, and will be allocated a supervisor whom they may contact for support to look for work and during the work experience period. Work experience has frequently led to students gaining employment after graduation in the host or related organisations, including criminal justice organisations, nongovernmental organisations, interest groups, government departments and diplomatic services.

A study-abroad programme can be undertaken as part of the degree programme. The Course Leader (or a delegated representative) must approve the programme of study proposed at the overseas host institution. We have the Socrates exchange links with a number of European Universities – Bologna, Bordeaux, Istanbul, Madrid and Stockholm. It is also possible to study in the United States. The University has exchange links with a number of universities, such as the State University of New York, City University New York, East Carolina, Roosevelt University (Chicago) and a number of colleges in the University of California state system. These exchanges are arranged through the University’s International Office.

Part-time structure:

YEAR 1 (LEVEL4)
SEM1
GI4052 Understanding the International System (Core)
SC4054 Traditional Criminological Theories and Concepts (Core)
SEM2
GI4056 Violence, Peace and Progress: Issues in World Politics (Core)
SC4055 The Criminal Justice Framework (Core)

YEAR 2 (LEVEL 4)
SEM1
SS4055 Conflict and Diplomacy Since 1945 (Core)
SC4059 Issues in the Criminal Justice System (Core)
SEM2
SC4058 The Development of Criminological Thought (Core)
SC4057 Becoming a Criminologist (Core)

YEAR 3 (Level 5)
SEM 1
SC5054 Analysing Crime Statistics (Core)

One option:
SC5055 Perspectives on Policing
SC5057 Crime Prevention and Environmental Design
SC5058 Drugs and Drug Policy
SC5053 Crime in Context
SC5059 Crimes of the Powerful
SC5050 Crime, Media and Technology
SC5056 Working with Offenders
SC5057 Crime Prevention and Environmental Design
SS5083 Youth Resistance and Social Control
GI5066 Strategy in the Contemporary World
GI5078DL Global Encounters – Extension of Knowledge Module
GI5053 Peace and Conflict: Theories and Issues
GI5051 Modern Diplomacy: Communication, Representation, Negotiation

SEM2
SC5061 Analysing Crime Narratives (Core)

One option:
SC5063 Cybercrime and Surveillance
SC5064 Criminological Research in Context
SC5065 Dark Destinations - Crime and Tourism
SC5060 Criminology Today
SC5062 Becoming a Criminal Justice Professional
SC5051 Youth Crime and Violence
GI5064 The Politics of the European Union
GI5054 Peace and Conflict: Practices and Approaches
GI5052 The New Diplomacy
XK000 Extension of Knowledge Module

YEAR 4 (LEVEL 5)
SEM1
GI5073 Theories of International Relations: Discipline and Diversity (Core)

One option:
SC5055 Perspectives on Policing
SC5057 Crime Prevention and Environmental Design
SC5058 Drugs and Drug Policy
SC5053 Crime in Context
SC5059 Crimes of the Powerful
SC5050 Crime, Media and Technology
SC5056 Working with Offenders
SC5057 Crime Prevention and Environmental Design
SS5083 Youth Resistance and Social Control
GI5066 Strategy in the Contemporary World
GI5078DL Global Encounters – Extension of Knowledge Module
GI5053 Peace and Conflict: Theories and Issues
GI5051 Modern Diplomacy: Communication, Representation, Negotiation

SEM 2:
SC6052 Becoming a Criminal Justice Professional (Core)

One option
SC5063 Cybercrime and Surveillance
SC5064 Criminological Research in Context
SC5065 Dark Destinations - Crime and Tourism
SC5060 Criminology Today
SC5062 Becoming a Criminal Justice Professional
SC5051 Youth Crime and Violence
GI5064 The Politics of the European Union
XK000 Extension of Knowledge Module
GI5052 The New Diplomacy
GI5054 Peace and Conflict: Practices and Approaches

YEAR 5 (Level 6)
SEM1
SC6P00 Criminology Project (Core)

G16P01 Project 1 year (Alternative Core)
G16P51/A/S Project 1 Semester (Alternative Core)

One option:
SC6054 Punishment and Prison
SC6055 Organised Crime
SC6056 Gender and Crime
SC6053 Victims and Crime
SC6054 Punishment and Prisons
GI6052 Conflict Resolution: Concepts and Strategies
GI6054 International Security Studies: Theories and Challenges
GI6050 Strategic Communications and Global Media
GI6056 The Modern State, Democracy, Dictatorship and Beyond
GI6068 Identity, Information and Warfare in an Age of Cyberconflict
GI6065 Latin American Politics

SEM2:
SC6P00 Criminology Project (Core)

One option:
SC6059 Environmental Justice
SC6060 Migration, Borders and Control
SC6052 Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism
SC6061 Criminology of Pleasure
SC6062 ‘The deviant other’ – media representations of crime
SC6W52 Criminology Work-Based Learning
SC6058 Global Crime and Disorder
GI8066 Action and Identity: Gender and Political Participation
GI6064 African Politics
GI6071 Human Rights and Global Justice
GI6070 South Asia in Global Context
SS6088 Racism in the Global Context
GI6051 Public Diplomacy and Global Influence
GI6053 Conflict Resolution: Building Sustainable Peace
GI6055 International Security Studies: Issues and Challenges
GI6057 The Modern State: Progress, Protests and Power

YEAR 6 (Level 6)
SEM1

One option
SEM2:
SC6054 Punishment and Prison
SC6055 Organised Crime
SC6056 Gender and Crime
SC6053 Victims and Crime
SC6054 Punishment and Prisons
GI6048 Identity, Information and Warfare in an Age of Cyberconflict
GI6065 Latin American Politics
GI6051 Public Diplomacy and Global Influence
GI6053 Conflict Resolution: Building Sustainable Peace
GI6055 International Security Studies: Issues and Challenges
GI6057 The Modern State: Progress, Protests and Power

Two option:
SC6059 Environmental Justice
SC6060 Migration, Borders and Control
SC6052 Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism
SC6061 Criminology of Pleasure
SC6062 ‘The deviant other’ – media representations of crime
SC6W52 Criminology Work-Based Learning
SC6058 Global Crime and Disorder
GI8066 Action and Identity: Gender and Political Participation
GI6064 African Politics
GI6071 Human Rights and Global Justice
GI6070 South Asia in Global Context
SS6088 Racism in the Global Context

Every module on this course has embedded within it reflective learning components and personal development planning relevant to the year of study. It will be encouraged in lectures, seminars, and in assessment methods. Students will be directed to reflect on knowledge specific learning, personal and employability skills development. Students will be encouraged to engage positively with all feedback opportunities, be they with tutors or in peer-review situations, and to reflect and learn, resulting in the developing of further learning strategies.

Successful graduates have been employed in the police and criminal justice services, diplomatic and government sectors, and teaching and research. They have also entered a range of organizations, including national governments, international ones like the European Union and the United Nations, NGOs and think-tanks operating in such fields as criminal justice, security and human rights, and media and business organizations. Many of our students also go on to be successful in postgraduate study, both at Masters and PhD level, at a number of universities, including the London School of Economics, Kings College London and SOAS.

Our criminology and sociology graduates have gone on to careers including police officers, counter fraud criminal investigators, support workers, probation officers and teachers, securing jobs at the Metropolitan Police Service, HM Government, Rethink Mental Illness and the National Probation Service.

Continuing your studies with us

The School of Social Sciences has a wide range of exciting industry-linked postgraduate courses available on a full-time and part-time basis in criminology, security, diplomacy, international relations, sociology and psychology. The following courses would be ideal for progression after this course:

• Human Rights and International Conflict - MA
• Organised Crime and Global Security - MA
• Woman and Child Abuse - MA
• Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability - MSc
• Get into law with our Common Professional Exam - GDL

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have at least:

• a minimum of grades BBC in three A levels (or minimum of 112 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification)
• GCSE English at grade C/grade 4 or above (or equivalent)

If you don’t have traditional qualifications or can’t meet the entry requirements for this undergraduate degree, you may still be able to gain entry by completing our Criminology (including foundation year) BSc (Hons) or Social Sciences and Humanities (including foundation year) BA (Hons) degree.