Criminology

Discovering Qualitative Research Methods

This module introduces students to a variety of qualitative research methods and analytical techniques that researchers in Sociology and Criminology use to test social theory and study aspects of social life. Topics covered include; the epistemological approaches underpinning qualitative approaches and practicalities involved with generating qualitative research (e.g. sampling and recruitment). Specific qualitative methods covered on this module include: discourse analysis, introduction to approaches in in-depth interviews and elicitation techniques, methods for interviewing groups, ethnography and participant observation, using digital methods to study online communities, mixing quantitative and qualitative methods and introductory approaches to analysing qualitative data (e.g. grounded theory, thematic analysis, narrative analysis). Students will also learn the importance of carrying out research ethically through engagement with controversial and ethically ‘dubious’ sociological and criminological studies. Throughout, students are given the opportunity to use these various methods and techniques giving them an appreciation of the processes involved in generating sociological/criminological knowledge. Students will undertake the first of various tasks that starts them on a journey that encourages them to research and think about the skills, competencies and experiences they need to realise their career aspirations.

Module code: SOCY40512

Media, Representation And Society

Media, Representation and Society: This an exciting module in which you will examine the complex interrelationships between media, representation and society. Mediated forms of representation are crucial to constructions and contestations of a range of social identities formulated along the axes of class, gender, race and ethnicity, disability and sexuality. The module offers case studies of representations generated across a range of media sites, including television, film, literature, advertising, newspapers, magazines, music videos and websites. You will have the opportunity to analyse visual representations from historical and contemporary media sources.

Module code: SOCY40514

Crime And Punishment In The Modern Era

Crime and Punishment in the Modern Era: This first-year module introduces you to the ways in which today’s penal system has evolved over time. The module begins at a point that is now over two hundred and fifty years ago. Why would a modern criminology module start here? First, if we were designing a criminal justice system that meets the needs of today’s society, it would probably not look like the one we have. That is because the institutions of criminal justice – the police, prisons, and the courts and so on have all been shaped and influenced by events and ideas from history. The organic growth of the police force, for example, from a private service employed and run for the benefit of the social elite, to a professional uniformed public service is complex. We can only understand why the police force works the way it does (prioritizing the maintenance of public order, being organized by counties rather than being ‘The British Police Force’, being largely unarmed, and so on) by looking at the changes that have occurred over time. Studying the roots of the penal system helps us to realize that the system we have today is not the only (and therefore maybe not the best) way that it could be organized. The past has left its legacy. Module Code: SOCY40516

Module code: SOCY40516

Introduction To Criminology

Introduction to Criminology: This module introduces you to the key issues and debates in criminology that you will encounter throughout the rest of your degree. On the module, you consider how crime is constructed, perceived and responded to within society, and explore the inter-relationships between crime, social problems and their context. The module is designed to provide you with a basic understanding of criminology and to develop a range of key skills, including research, scholarship and academic practices, thus enabling you to identify, summarise and comment upon a variety of subject matters in a criminological manner, and to organise and articulate ideas and arguments.

Module code: SOCY40515

Psychological Contexts Of Crime And Punishment

This module aims to provide you with an introduction to, and exploration of, some of the major psychological contributions towards the understanding of contemporary and key issues in crime, law and legal process. The topics focus on two main themes which begin with psychological contexts of crime and continue with the psychological contexts of punishment. The first theme will include the role of psychology in the investigation of crime, public perceptions of crime and the Criminal Justice System, and the second theme will include pleas and sentencing, the role of prison and ex-offender reintegration into society. Throughout the module, the importance and impact of representations of crime and punishment in the media will be reviewed, and the impact of these representations within psychological contexts will be evaluated.

Module code: PSYC40798

The Criminal Justice Process

The Criminal Justice Process: This module looks at the organisations and individuals who attempt to deliver 'Criminal Justice'. The module offers a brief overview of the nature and development of the Criminal Justice 'System', the various Agencies that this 'system' is comprised of and their formal roles and responsibilities in the delivery of 'justice'. Agencies examined vary from year to year but could include the Home Office, the Ministry of Justice; the Police Service; the Courts and Crown Prosecution Service; The National Offender Management Service (prisons and probation). The module also examines the work of various Inspectorates who oversee/monitor these agencies, along with the voluntary sector and private sector organisations involved in addressing crime and disorder. On this module you learn about the formal roles of these agencies, their core functions and responsibilities and aims of each agency, their similarities and common purposes, differences and potential contradictions. The module also examines the wider factors that have influenced the nature and organisation of these agencies and the relationships between them (including the historical/social context; the organisational/managerial context i.e. the emphasis on performance, process and best value, along with how political ideologies inform policy). It concludes by exploring contemporary methods in seeking ‘justice', such as restorative justice, problem solving approaches and specialist courts.

Module code: SOCY40519

Introduction To Project Design And Research Practice

Close examination of studies about different aspects of society, crime and deviant behaviour will allow students to learn key features of designing a research project and develop skills in research practice.The first half of the module introduces students to a series of sociological/criminological studies that have explored the following issues: 1) abusing positions of power within prisons and marginalised groups, 2) substance misuse and studies of deviant others, 3) structural inequalities; race relations and education, 4) gang culture, 5) mental health asylums, 6) chore wars – unequal divisions of labour and gender relations, 7) family relationships, divorce and death. For each of these weeks, students will undertake carefully designed problem based solving tasks to identify the following information about each of the key studies: what the researcher studied (concept), why they studied this particular topic (e.g. debates/concerns), how they studied it (e.g. research methods), and merits and limitations with these studies. Completion of these tasks will equip students with an understanding of the key processes involved in project design.The second half of the module, equips students with the skills to search for and develop a contemporary review of literature and gaps in knowledge on one of the seven topics covered in the first half of the module. Students will receive tuition in how to develop a small-scale research project, including, developing a research question, aims, objectives and justify why they propose to use a particular research method to investigate their chosen topic. Students will be supported to recognise potential ethical issues that could arise through their study of a chosen topic and will be supported to think through solutions that could be employed to minimise and manage such ethical problems. Students will be taught how to design a poster on PowerPoint, introduced to technology for audio-recording their paired poster-presentation, how to embed audio on their poster and saving the e-poster as an MP4 file. Finally, students will undertake the second task that continues to actively support them in planning how they will reach their career aspirations following graduation.

Module code: SOCY40513

Understanding Terrorism: Causes And Theories

What is ‘terrorism’? That is the question that frames this module. Since 9/11 the word ‘terrorism’ has become part of our daily vernacular and yet there is significant confusion and debate about its meaning and its causes. This module enters into these debates and begins by looking at various definitions of ‘terrorism’ and the different types of ‘terrorism’. Can we say we have entered into a new era of ‘terrorism’?

Module code: SOCY50582

Theory And Practice Of Mentoring

This module explores the key theoretical perspectives which inform and underpin the practice of mentoring. We consider the distinctions between mentoring and other helping professions including performance coaching and counselling. Through a series of structured exercises and case study materials we develop a critical understanding of the core skills and competencies necessary to the mentoring role. We explore the application of mentoring skills in various settings and consider the role of reflection in developing professional competence in the field. Issues to be considered include the mentor/mentee relationship, effective communication, contracting and time management, ethical issues and confidentiality, evaluation and review of the mentoring outcomes. We also explore the stages of the mentoring relationship and relating interventions as well as complexities of the emotional and psychological contract and exchange between mentor and mentee.

Module code: SOCY50558

Youth Crime And Justice

This module aims to develop in the student a critical understanding of the discourses surrounding youth offending and the multi-agency responses to youth offenders and youth offending in England and Wales within a social constructionist and cross-cultural perspective. Through discussion of recent research, legislation and policy, students will be encouraged to consider the response of the criminal justice agencies to children and young people in conflict with the law in England and WalesThe module will:•explore associated areas of concern such as education, welfare, young people’s services, juvenile justice and the police service. •explore the current partnership arrangements for delivering a service to young offenders •explore young offenders’ behaviour in the context of school, family, care arrangements and local communities' expectations. •analyse the construction of youth and childhood with a contemporary and historical focus.

Module code: SOCY50573

Psychology Of Crime

This module will explore some of the major psychological contributions towards understanding crime and criminal behaviour. Developmental, social and genetic contributions towards understanding the psychology of criminality and the individual experience of crime will be considered. Also included will be critical evaluations of the methodologies adopted by researchers in the field and the contributions of this psychological research towards understanding contemporary and key issues such as juvenile offending and violent offending.

Module code: PSYC50677

Contemporary ‘Terror’ Movements: Classifications And Responses

This module continues on from Understanding Terrorism-causes and theories. With a strong grounding in terrorism studies this module will introduce you to a range of ‘terror movements’ from across the world. In doing so, the aim is to apply some of the theoretical concepts and ideas to understand the motives and causes of ‘terror’ emanating from various movements, including ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and the IRA.

Module code: SOCY50583

Designing Your Dissertation Research Project

This module guides students through the stages of conceiving, designing and writing up their Level 6 dissertation research proposal. Tuition on this module will focus on: a) how to conduct a thorough review of literature and develop and refine a research problem/question that arises from gaps in knowledge on the literature, b) research project design: including writing research questions, aims and objectives, c) overview of quantitative and qualitative research methods and research techniques and careful consideration over which research method is appropriate to researching their topic and likely to generate data that will answer their research question, d) anticipation of potential ethical issues and moral dilemmas that might arise in research projects, securing appropriate levels of ethical clearance and developing strategies to manage ethical issues, e) techniques for analysing qualitative and quantitative data including the use of computer software packages, f) guidance around writing up the research proposal.

Module code: SOCY50576

Designing And Conducting Quantitative Research

This module guides students through the process of designing, carrying out and writing up a small-scale quantitative research project. Students will be introduced to a variety of quantitative research methods including: official statistical datasets, content analysis, questionnaires and capturing social attitudes.In project teams, students will be given step-by-step guidance and support to design and carry out a small-scale quantitative project and analysing data generated from quantitative study.

Module code: SOCY50575

Societal Change And Globalisation

The module will examine 'classical' perspectives on societal change and compare and contrast these with more recent attempts to characterise 'transitions' in terms, for example, of post-industrialism, the knowledge/information society theories, post-fordism and postmodernism. This will be set within a critical analysis of ideas about social identity and social divisions in relation to globalisation. In particular, it will involve an analysis of major social divisions and identities such as social class, gender and ethnicity and how these operate at a global and inter-societal level in the 21st Century. Particular attention will be given when examining large scale processes of social change to factors such as technological transformation, the relationship between production and consumption, the changing structure and organisation of western and non-western societies, and the shifting boundaries between the state, the economy and civil society.

Module code: SOCY50572

Families: Crime, Abuses And Inequalities

This module aims to explore a sociological understanding and global perspective of the variety of nuclear and non-nuclear family models. We will consider the impact of social policy and legislation upon the family unit and think about international differences. We will also discuss crimes conducted within the family sphere such as child, domestic and elder abuse and related victimology. We will analyse power and control within the family context and equality by thinking about how gender roles and childhood are socially constructed and the division of labour within the home. We will think about the impact and experience of troubled families, trouble in the family and families in trouble. We will critically discuss various agencies and institutions engaged with supporting families, as well as considering the police connection and responses to families. We will explore state and non-state solutions to family issues.

Module code: SOCY50577

Professional Practice Placement

This module offers the opportunity to experience the professional world of work in a public, voluntary or community organisation or a registered charity. Particular attention is paid to an appreciation of the ethical, practical, technical and financial (resource) issues involved in working with and for these sectors in the audit-driven culture of the twenty-first century. Students will typically be working with professional staff in the support of customers who experience some form of social disadvantage and require support and/or may be working in a profession related to their prospective career for example, students may wish to seek a placement with the probation service or a charity supporting people who have been released from prison or a local service supporting people with drug or alcohol mis-use problems. Alternatively, students might be required to contribute towards or conduct a small-scale research/evaluation project for the organisation or profession. Students are supported in choosing their placement, supported to secure that placement and then supported throughout that placement.

Module code: SOCY50581

Refugees And Immigrants

This module will examine the causes, process and impact of refugee movements and free migration. It will distinguish between refugees and immigrants, and examine the causes of refugee movements and the international regime for dealing with refugees, under the 1951 Convention relating to the status of refugees, and its implementation by states. It will examine the legal obligations of states under the Convention, and the variety of ways in which the law is interpreted by states. It will also scrutinise the role of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees in the care of refugees. It will then examine the causes of free migration, and look at the responses to migration from (a) traditional countries of immigration (b) countries with a restrictive guest-worker type approach (c) countries that are not traditionally immigrant countries, but experience increasing levels of immigration. The module will then examine the social, economic and political impact of immigration, including refugee movements in the receiving country. Examples and comparisons will be used throughout to illustrate the issues and there will be a focus on the British experience of these issues.

Module code: HIPO50032

Sociology Of Education

Sociology of education module Indicative Content: On this module students will gain knowledge and understanding of sociological concerns of the education system and educating practice. Students will look at a range of sociological perspectives on education in order to critically reflect on their experiences of being in education and also of being an educator. The module will explore theory and practice of education delivery approaches that enhance learning. Students will gain skills in delivering sociological material to facilitate learning and knowledge.

Module code: SOCY50559

Theories Of Crime And Justice

Theories of Crime and Justice: This module provides you with a comprehensive grounding in the varieties of criminological theory; familiarises you with the different assumptions, explanations and proposed solutions embedded within these theories and sensitises you to the importance of the social contexts in which theories are produced. The module is also designed to develop your learning about 'crime' and 'criminal justice', so you learn that they are not fixed and settled entities but complex and shifting processes whose different characteristics are revealed (and concealed) when viewed through the lenses of different theories.

Module code: SOCY50580

Sociology Of Health

This module will explore sociological perspectives on a range of health issues and the health care system. We will be looking at power, control and dependence when looking at the systematic issues. Students will explore the difference between medical and social models of health and well-being. Students will gain knowledge and understanding of the determinants of health so that they are aware of what factors in society are enablers of health and well-being and what factors hinder health and well-being. Students will consider and research inequalities within health and social care. Students will explore health topics such as addictions, aging, life expectancy, obesity, healthy eating, sexual health, mental health and breastfeeding. Topics will be determined by current trends in Society. Students will sociologically analyse topics and link these to the wider field of sociology e.g. crime and deviance, body image and gender studies.

Module code: SOCY50561

New Directions In Criminology: Theory And Concepts

New Directions in Criminology: Theory and Concepts: In this exciting core second year module we build on your learning of the traditional theories of crime and justice to look at some of the dynamic new directions criminological research and theory is going. We examine new concepts such as sports criminology, green criminology, and Southern criminology amongst a host of other emergent subjects, taking each in turn but also considering each in light of the others.

Module code: SOCY50579

India, Pakistan, Afghanistan: History And Politics

This module looks at modern relationships in South Asia between India, Pakistan and Afghanistan.It explores the intertwined history of these countries, with a particular focus on Mughal and British periods, and then examines the Partition in 1947 and consequences of that epoch-marking event, including the issue of Kashmir. Post-independence developments in each country, explaining the divergent paths of India and Pakistan, the creation of Bangladesh and the consequences of the Soviet and American invasions of Afghanistan are also explored. Module Code: HIPO60025

Module code: HIPO60025

Big Brother Is Watching You! Contemporary Surveillance And Security

In this module you will look at the global nature of risk and insecurity globally and will look at the role played by surveillance in countering risk, reproducing insecurity and in creating a more secure and insecure society. The module will look surveillance practices by both political and civil society and will examine key themes pertaining to: The meaning and definition of surveillance and security; panoptic and synoptic surveillance; the nature of risk and the main sources of insecurity; techniques of surveillance; surveillance in the context of advanced capitalist societies and the consequences of surveillance inclusive of the impact of different identities and groups within society.

Module code: SOCY60553

Punishment And Penology

This module will enable students to critically analyse and evaluate theoretical and philosophical justifications of punishment together with political ideology that impact upon penal policy and practice. In addition, this module will locate this analysis in an appreciation of the consistencies, contradictions and conflicts that relate not only to theoretical discussion but to the less abstract level of policy formulation and actual penal practice. Considerations of class, gender and ethnicity constitute key aspects of the conceptual framework and the principles of ‘security, control and justice’ are critically examined in the operational context. A critical assessment of the ethos of incarceration will be a major theme of this module. Integrated into this module is a critical analysis of the social situation and internal culture that offenders experience (both community and prison sentenced offenders). Particular attention is directed to the diversity of experience, response and adaptation of those subjected to the varied sanctions within the penal system. Power imbalance, human rights, civil liberties and the relationships of authority, discipline and coercion are central issues within the overall perspective of this module. The main themes of this module include: philosophical and theoretical contributions to an understanding of punishments, the politics of punishments, policy developments in penal practice, offender rights and responsibilities, the wider instrumental role of prison in the criminal justice process, determining contexts and punishments (for example, gender, race, age, class, disability, etc.), comparative penologies and penal abolitionism. This module aims to: •Explore the development of punishment and its justifications in a wider societal context. •Develop a student’s critical knowledge of penological research and debate. •Critically analyse the links between crime and its control and to develop a critical understanding of the importance of the wider societal context in understanding penal policy formation, implementation and practice. This module reflects the subject knowledge and understanding as outlined in the QAA benchmarks (2014) concerning the philosophy and politics of criminalisation, victimisation, criminal justice and modes of punishment. Vocationally it is linked to a range of potential criminal justice professions in the statutory, voluntary and non-governmental sectors, building students’ knowledge and understanding of core functions and debates in the prison and punishment realms

Module code: SOCY60569

21St Century Sociology – Understanding Current Global Trends, Movements, And Issues

Module code: SOCY60573

Forensic Psychology Applications

The role of psychology in a number of forensic applications will be considered, and the relevance, utility and validity of key psychological research and theory within these applications will be examined. The main areas covered will include psychological profiling, systems for risk assessment and prediction, including evaluation of models of predicting dangerousness, providing expertise and information for legal purposes, and the role of psychology in managing offending behaviour, including the planning, delivery and evaluation of interventions with offenders, including juvenile, violent and sex offenders.The role of forensic Psychology will also be explored in relation to a number of contemporary issues and debates, such as collective violence, terrorism, school shootings.

Module code: PSYC60683

Cyber Crime

This final year module will explore the complexities of cyber crime. It will look at the types of activity that constitute cyber crime and consider who and how such crimes are investigated. Learning will take place through interactive lectures including some supported by a range of specialist guest speakers.

Module code: FORE60350

Dissertation

The Dissertation is designed to provide for students an opportunity for sustained and independent study in the final year of their course. It intends to develop knowledge of, and critical insight into, a topic of the student's choice within the subject area under study. Students are enabled to undertake first-hand enquiry and encouraged to develop an analytical and reflective approach to the subject identified for study. The module aims to encourage the articulation of a critically informed perspective on the subject being studied. It also intends to enable the production of a coherent document of rigorous academic standards.The main component of the learning and teaching will be based around the student undertaking independent study. However, the student will be provided with supervision sessions with a nominated supervisor who will advise on subject area, literature review, method of enquiry, ethical approval, structure of written work and employment of theoretical frameworks. Formative assessment will take the form of supervision discussions and feedback, in either written or verbal form, on the work being developed, including written drafts and/or an interim report and pilot study (if appropriate). Summative assessment will involve the production of a coherent written document on a subject that meets rigorous academic standards, evidencing all the knowledge and skills acquired in order to so do.

Module code: SOCY60574

The Life Course: The Early Years

The Life Course explores the various transitions and ‘age’ related phases that people pass through as they move through their respective life courses in Britain. Individuals’ life courses are not universal, instead they are subject to processes of social construction, influenced by the socio-cultural and historical contexts we live in, the relationships we have with significant others and the material circumstances of people’s everyday lives. The Early Years begins with different theoretical approaches to constructing the concept of the life course including the role that various factors such as diverse backgrounds (e.g. the interplay of social class, race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and disability) and relationships with others (e.g. family and friends) play in shaping our life courses. The module then proceeds to examine key aspects of the life Course covering the early phases of the life course through to young adulthood. Topics covered include contemporary experiences of parenthood (e.g. motherhood, fatherhood and same-sex parenting), ‘contemporary childhoods’, the risky transitions inherent in teenagers’ experiences of the life course, the apparent postponement of adulthood by the ‘boomerang generation’ and an exploration of the characteristics of modern intimate relationships, questioning whether they operate on a ‘good till further notice’ basis.

Module code: SOCY60570

Crime, Harm And Victimisation

Using victimological theory, this module aims to explore with students concepts such as: conventional victims, non-conventional victims, victimisation, victimology and zemiology; to examine harm and victimisation beyond traditional frameworks; to investigate crime and harm committed by the powerful; and to examine regulatory frameworks and to assess the extent to which they deliver criminal and/or social justice; and to acknowledge and understand resistance and redress.Topics covered in the module:•Crime, harm, and victimisation•Victimology, victims and zemiology (the study of social harms)•Non-conventional forms of crime and harm including crimes and harms that go beyond traditional frameworks•Crimes and harm committed by the powerful•Regulatory frameworks, criminal justice, social justice and injustice•Resistance and redress

Module code: SOCY60572

Transnational Organised Crime

This module examines the forms of transnational organised crime in the contemporary world, paying particular attention to forms of organisation, the Mafia, drugs, people and arms trade, states and illegal practices, transnational corporations and illegal practices and academic approaches to understanding these phenomena.. You will consider consider case studies in depth. Module Code: SOCY60370

Module code: SOCY60370

Working With Drug Users

This module will explore different approaches to working with drug users who are misusing alcohol, and illegal drugs. Students will gain knowledge on the impact of drugs and alcohol on the individual and wider society with a particular focus on health and social effects. Students will consider the difference between recreational and addictive usage. Students will develop skills in delivering drugs education, harm reduction and abstinence advice as well as therapeutic interventions such as motivational interviewing and solution focus brief therapy. We will also look at policy and legalisation debates within the field. This module covers theory, policy and provides opportunity for students to develop skills for working with drug users.

Module code: SOCY60564

Advanced Criminological Theory

Advanced Criminological Theory takes seven recently emerged and now contemporary key areas of criminological debate and argument and seeks to facilitate engagement with these most current and emergent theoretical paradigms. You will have to show higher level knowledge and understandings of the contours of contemporary criminology and its theoretical proponents, culminating in their ability to analyse, apply and reflect on the relevance and application of these emergent paradigms to an area or topic of criminological interest for them. The lectures are set around themes and issues that deal with emergent topics and fields of interest, and the studied perspectives are clearly linked and cross over. During the course of the module, you will deal not only with the theory, but consider emergent areas and topics that are at the centre of the discipline and which will be combined with discussion of emerging cases and examples. These can include:Terrorism and Domestic Extremism, Homicide, Borders and Immigration, People Trafficking, Sex Trafficking, global warmings, sports violence in MMA and Ice Hockey, the V W emissions fraud, the case of Trafigura, the Grenfell Fire, School shootings, wildlife crime, the rise of Trump and the Violence in Charlottesville, plastic pollutions of the Oceans, Firearms Trafficking and New Novel Psychoactive Substances. The contemporary topics will be revisited each year.

Module code: SOCY70518

Postgraduate Dissertation

This module provides an opportunity to undertake an original piece of research under the supervision of an experienced member of the sociology/criminology team. Independently, students will investigate a contemporary research problem which relates to a key issue or problem encountered on their specific MA course which could be related to their profession or their particular organisation, or an organisation they would like to work within when they finish their studies. Students will receive guidance to support their search for and develop a coherent review of the relevant research literature that supports the justification of researching a specific area of enquiry and formulate a research question.With their chosen supervisor, students will write a research proposal that captures the key take home messages from their review of the literature that justifies their investigation. It will also include a justification for the choice of methods employed to carry out the investigation and how this technique will generate data that answers the project research question. Alongside this research proposal, students will submit an ethics form to the ethics committee.Students will meet their supervisor regularly (face to face or virtually) to discuss the progress of their dissertation. The supervisor will provide feedback on key pieces of draft dissertation chapters at set stages in the process. Students will produce a logical discussion that features clear themes/patterns in the data and clearly communicated set of conclusions in the form of a 15,000 word dissertation.

Module code: SOCY70510

Contemporary Issues In Criminology And Criminal Justice

Contemporary Issues in Criminology and Criminal Justice module looks at controversial issues facing the criminal justice system today. It looks at how transforming understandings of crime have created wider pressures that sit alongside the socio, economic, political, cultural and technological changes that set the context for crime and frame criminal justice agencies responses to it. Staff at Staffordshire University are regular commentators on crime and criminal behaviour, and we have numerous academic staff who have worked in the criminal justice system and continue to use their knowledge and understanding of criminal justice in an applied manner.

Module code: SOCY70519