BA (Honours) Social Policy and Criminology: pathway

Stage 1

For this intensive start you’ll begin your degree studies with one of two options:

• Introducing the social sciences (DD101)Introducing the social sciences::This key introductory Level 1 course is an ideal introduction to the social sciences – psychology, social policy and criminology, geography and environment, politics and international studies, economics and sociology – through study of contemporary UK society. Using a blend of text, audio, DVD and online materials, you’ll explore a wide range of topics, including questions of society’s relationship to the environment, questions of identity and issues of social order and governance – all considered in their national and international contexts – that will equip you with a range of skills for independent study and for your personal and working life.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q57-2,module,DD101,,1 (60 credits): a broad, fascinating introductory module covering psychology, social policy and criminology, geography and environment, politics and international studies, economics and sociology; or
• Introducing the social sciences - part one (DD131)Introducing the social sciences - part one::This key introductory Level 1 module provides an approachable and contemporary introduction to the disciplines and subjects that form the social sciences, as well as the questions and issues that social scientists investigate and explore. It tackles everyday issues in an appropriate way, so that you can build on what you already know and gain a solid grounding in study techniques and social science skills and debates. Combining this with another 30-credit course – such as Discovering psychology (DSE141) – is an excellent choice if you want a gradual entry into the social sciences.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q57-2,module,DD131,,1 (30 credits) with Discovering psychology (DSE141)Discovering psychology::Drawing on a wide range of studies and some classic pieces of psychological research, this key introductory Level 1 course provides an accessible and engaging introduction to the study of psychology. Discovering psychology explores the different ways in which psychologists investigate the human mind and behaviour, and shows you how psychological research addresses real-life issues. You will be provided with a textbook and access to a website containing an online study guide, audio-visual material and interactive activities which are designed to help you develop your knowledge and skills.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q57-2,module,DSE141,,1 (30 credits): a shorter version of option 1, with an exploration of how psychologists investigate our thinking and behaviour – and how academic research can be applied in real-life settings.

At the same time, you’ll complete a further 60 credits in complementary subjects such as law, health and social care, prior experiential learning, health sciences, mathematics and statistics, environment and arts.

Stage 2

Stage 2 starts with the 60-credit module Welfare, crime and society (DD208)Welfare, crime and society::This course examines the relationships between the worlds of social welfare and crime control. It focuses on policy interventions and responses in the UK and around the world to issues such as anti-social behaviour, poverty, discrimination, hate crimes, child labour, health and disease, families, slums, ghettos and gated communities. Using multi-media teaching materials, the course is organised by four conceptual themes - surveillance, social justice, security and community. It will equip you with the skills you need to select and evaluate evidence in relation to social science arguments and social policy.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q57-2,module,DD208,,1, which is an introduction to the relationship between social welfare and crime control. You’ll explore government and policy responses in the UK and internationally, and issues such as anti-social behaviour, poverty, discrimination, hate crimes, child labour, health and disease, slums, ghettos, gated communities and corporate crime. You’ll also learn to select and evaluate evidence in relation to social problems, crime and society, drawing on a fascinating variety of resources arranged around four themes: surveillance, social justice, security and community.

Next you’ll study one from a choice of three 60-credit modules. The uses of social science (DD206)The uses of social science::Making use of a blend of learning technologies, this interdisciplinary course investigates how social science is used to make sense of everyday dilemmas such as sustaining relationships, making a living, finding a place to live, being part of a community, or making one’s voice heard. The course explores how social scientists use evidence and data, theories and explanations, and norms and values to make sense of social life. By studying this course you will develop the practical skills and intellectual resources required to analyse the ways in which social science can be used both to understand and to shape our social lives.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q57-2,module,DD206,,1 furthers your understanding of how social sciences research makes claims about the links between the personal and arenas of public intervention; Youth justice: theory, research and practice (K209)Youth justice: theory, research and practice::This course is primarily designed for people working in youth justice and focuses on the overarching knowledge required to be an effective practitioner in this field. It explores the relationship between theory and practice, and how both of these impact on youth justice practice.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q57-2,module,K209,,1 explores theories, research and practice in the youth justice system; or you can study how adult health and social care support is organised, delivered and experienced across a range of sectors in Adult health, social care and wellbeing (K217)Adult health, social care and wellbeing::Health and social care is everyone’s business. Whether using a service or being cared for by family or friends, we want skilled and understanding people who can work in partnership with us to meet our needs. Using online activities to explore real-life case material with up-to-date research, policy and practice you'll learn about how adult health and social care is organised, delivered, and experienced across a range of sectors. Whether you’re involved in paid or unpaid work, use health and social care services yourself, or simply have a general interest, this course is designed to deepen your understanding and develop your practice.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q57-2,module,K217,,1.

Throughout your Stage 2 studies you will develop your analytic skills and your ability to understand and apply social science concepts to issues of ethical, political and public concern.

Stage 3

At Stage 3, in Personal lives and social policy (DD305)Personal lives and social policy::How has social policy influenced ideas and values about parenthood? How far can we legitimise locking children in secure accommodation in order to ‘care’ for them? How have ‘welfare to work’ initiatives changed the meaning of ‘work’ in social policy? How does social policy construct the lives of refugees and asylum seekers? This course uses four key themes – Sexualities, Care, Work, and Citizenship – to explore how individuals shape and are shaped by policy making and welfare practices and how social policy is organised, represented and experienced - opening up challenging questions about the policymaking process both in the past and in contemporary society.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q57-2,module,DD305,,1 you’ll first explore how personal lives shape and are shaped by policy making and welfare practices, and how social policy is organised, represented and experienced. Your study will be organised around four key themes – sexualities, care, work and citizenship – and you’ll be encouraged to challenge traditional understandings of policy making.

Your final 60-credit module – Crime and justice (DD301)Crime and justice::Crime, disorder, and justice are increasingly pressing concerns across the world. Fear of crime and proliferating global threats contribute to an increasing sense of insecurity. Local concerns – for example street crime – are now accompanied by twenty-first century global concerns about human trafficking, cyber-crime, terrorism and human rights violations to name but a few. These ‘threats’ have implications for justice, as the boundaries between crime control and civil liberties are being increasingly redrawn. You’ll explore crime and justice in both global and local contexts, and in particular the way that crime and justice are being continually redefined by global economic, social and political change.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q57-2,module,DD301,,1 will be an in-depth consideration of crime, justice and the relationship between them. The concept of crime in today’s society encompasses the local – such as street crime – and the global – for example human trafficking and cyber-crime. In addition, issues such as terrorism and human rights violations have implications for justice, forcing the boundaries between crime control and civil liberties to be reconsidered.

By the end of your studies, you’ll be an independent thinker with a range of critical, analytic and applied skills. You can use these to evaluate contemporary debates in social policy and criminology and participate with confidence in discussions about policy alternatives.