BA (Hons) Criminology and Social Policy

Level One

Social Issues and Social Justice
This module uses an examination of contemporary social issues to introduce students to some of the key arguments and debates, which affect the way people are treated in society. Students will be introduced to how and why a social issue may become defined as a social problem, the form it takes within the social and political debate and be encouraged to make a critical analysis of the action which is, and is not, taken. An introduction of the key social policy concepts will be incorporated into this analysis of real issues. The module also considers the concept of social justice, the extent to which social divisions and inequalities in society persist and the role governments play in promoting the former and combating the latter.

Identity and Citizenship
This module explicitly adopts an interdisciplinary approach to core questions of relevance to today’s society. Taking the notion of identity as its leitmotif, the module introduces students to those ways in which academic knowledge has traditionally been divided along disciplinary lines. The module will guide students bring knowledge forms from within their own – and other – disciplines to bear on key contemporary social and political issues. As such, the module will expose students to the potentials and pitfalls of adopting an interdisciplinary approach to problem solving and policy development in areas concerning (for example) citizenship, social belonging and isolation, gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, religion or nationalism. Throughout, students will be encouraged to think critically about the nature of their own identities and the impact of their future professional practice on the nature and practice of identities

Applying Research
This module aims to enable students to both recognise and understand the different methodologies employed in social research and to apply these to their own research project and critique of methods. Overall, the aim of this unit is to introduce students to the range of methodological skills and approaches, to involve students in their application, and to encourage critical reflection on a variety of levels.
After completing this module students should be able to:

• Explain what research is and why we do it.
• Explain how research may be carried out: quantitatively
• Explain how research may be carried out: qualitatively

Images of Crime and Social Control (OPTION)
The aim of this module is to facilitate a critical engagement with the dominant ideological depictions of crime and criminality. It seeks to challenge the way in which these interpretations inform commonsense explanations of, and responses to, crime and criminality. It explores recurring claims found in popular, media and political discourses and compares these with more criminological and academic insights in order to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of these issues/problems. In so doing the module will look at the costs of crime myths and contrasting crime ‘realities’ in terms of public anxieties, political discourses, criminal justice policies and practices. The introduction and evaluation of various responses will encourage students to consider the extent and limits of potential ‘solutions’. This will be done through looking at key images of crime/criminality. For instance the study of prostitution will invite explanations of the various issues involved therein at commonsense and more theoretical levels.

Level Two

Criminal Justice
The aim of this module is to provide students with the necessary understanding of the component parts of the Criminal Justice ‘System’ in England and Wales. to allow the students to explore the diversity and interrelatedness of criminal justice policies and practices in this alleged ‘system’. These policies and practices will be evaluated within key theoretical frameworks, which consider the functions and appropriateness of key principles such as the due processes of law, justice and fairness. Students to examine in detail key component parts of the criminal justice system such as the police, courts and prison system. The module will examine the political issues, which are often at the heart of the administration of the Criminal Justice ‘system’, emphasizing stereotypes and discriminatory practices principally in respect of gender, class and ‘race’. While a substantial part of the module will focus on the laws and powers of discretion that are often conferred upon agents within the criminal justice system, the situational factors (social, economic and political) that affect the decision-making processes will also be stressed. The module will explore the ‘popular’, political and professional demands placed upon the criminal justice system and the difficulty of reconciling these divergent ‘needs’ and expectations. It will explore various pressure groups vocal within such debates and the power differentials and expertise of some of the key ‘primary definers’ involved.

Challenges and change in social policy I and II
Social policy has developed from the study of the traditional areas of welfare – such as health, education and social security – to broader concerns including the environment, transport and food policy. The terms of the debate have also shifted to reflect changes in demographic and social structures, the changing labour market, concern with the costs of welfare and the impact of the globalization. This module considers the main influences on social policy development in the UK and examines these within the context of alternative models in other countries. It considers the ideological and theoretical debates within which they have been framed and the ways these have impacted on the contemporary debate and policy.

Ideology into Practice
This module is concerned with the impact of ideology on the development of social policy. While the focus is on the United Kingdom, comparison with other European states is made where appropriate. The module considers different perspectives on what constitutes ‘social problems’ and exploration of the meaning and purposes of ‘social policy’ and ‘welfare’ and their relationship with ideology. It then considers the impact of ideologies on social policy in the post-world war period, and especially from the mid-1970s when the consensus on social policy began to break down.

Diversity, Difference and Exclusion
This module examines the impact of difference and diversity in social policy, with a particular concern around social exclusion. It begins with an introduction to the concepts of ‘diversity’ and ‘exclusion’ and then moves on to consider the relationship between social policy and a variety of forms of diversity and difference, particularly in the context of new thinking around social exclusion that has emerged since the 1990s.

Researching in Social Policy
This module systematically scrutinizes examples of research undertaken in the subject area of social policy. One of the main aims of the module is to enable students to understand, in concrete terms, what constitutes research and how the research process leads to the production of specific research outputs including dissertations, theses, published academic articles and research monographs. In addition, the module aims to provide students with the knowledge base necessary for the production of research proposals and outputs. Research in social policy typically involves an understanding of both gathering information in various ways and critically scrutinizing the validity of that information. This module provides students with the skills to undertake both tasks.

Level Three

Penology and Penal Policy
This module aims to locate the theory, practice and history of punishment and penal policy in the context of social control in general. As well as addressing the philosophy of punishment, in terms of core concepts of justice, desert, deterrence, retribution, rehabilitation, reparation etc., it seeks to examine the way in which social control is a fundamental aspect of social relations. Thus it examines legal and non-legal forms of social control and examines the complex interrelationships between the two, together with the historical and practical dynamic of each. A major concern is the control of dangerousness, the 'self', and 'risk', through legal and extra-legal means, and the increasingly 'involved' or 'mixed' nature of social and legal sanctions. Current penal practice is subject to theoretical examination, especially in relation to 'punishment in the community', 'dangerousness', 'rehabilitation', monetary sanctions, 're-integrative shaming', restorative justice and 'longer than normal sentencing'. The place of the prison is addressed both as a historical feature and as an object of reform/abolition. In addition, the nature and future of imprisonment and alternatives to imprisonment are subject to critical attention. Human rights and the impact of victimology upon penology and penal practice are also a core concern. Finally, the issue of forms and practices of resistance to social control are addressed insofar as they illuminate the nature and meaning of social control within society.

Understanding the policy process
This module focusses upon the processes of policy making and implementation at both practical and theoretical levels. It introduces students to a variety of models of policymaking and discusses the complexities of the distribution of power and decision-making, primarily, but not limited to, the field of social policy. The module encourages students to develop an understanding of a range of ideas that can contribute to the ways in which we analyse policy, and to recognise that these perspectives are themselves contestable and changing. It begins with a consideration of the policy process and different ways of viewing it, including the impact of different approaches under governments from the 1970s, moving on to examine a variety of models of decision making and the range of actors involved in the making and implementation of policies.

Analysing the policy process
Building upon Understanding the Policy Process this module requires students not only to continue to develop their knowledge of a range of perspectives on the policy process but, in addition, to use these to analyse a case study relevant to their degree programme. Where Understanding the Policy Process places its emphasis on important models and perspectives, this module explores a range of current ideas which have a significant impact upon the making and implementation of policy, such as the concept of partnership, notions of participation, and issues of accountability.

Independent study
Students will be required to prepare and submit an Independent Study Proposal during semester B at Intermediate Level and appropriate supervisors will be allocated at this stage. The Independent Study preparation will be focussed through the Research in Social Policy module, which will familiarise students with real and active model of research in relevant areas. Therefore, the module will be guided by a clearly demarcated process of: research proposal; refinement; supervisor allocation; critical comment; initiation of lines of enquiry; implementation and monitoring of research over three Semesters. At stages agreed between the student and supervisor throughout level three, student progress will be reviewed in relation to research undertaken, clarity of objectives, report/dissertation plan and the submission of a dossier of work/chapters undertaken so far. The teaching support will be ongoing over the two semesters; but will be primarily geared to assisting the student on issues/problems such as research methods and ethical considerations, managing and presenting research materials and suitable theoretical approaches in their chosen research area.

Human Rights
This module addresses the general ideas of Human Rights and focuses in particular on the critical reading of Human Rights as one single universal paradigm. The practical critique of Human Rights proposed in this module is founded on the belief that Human Rights must and can be improved. The three main propositions outlined in this module relate to the concept of Human Rights presented as if they are universal; the notion that Human Rights pertain to a logic which focuses on the individual to the neglect of solidarity and other social values, and the fact that the meaning of Human Rights derives from a reasoning which is far too abstract. The academic interdisciplinary approach of this module should be emphasised, as the aid of several disciplines will be called upon, mainly but not exclusively, politics, legal philosophy, sociology, anthropology, international relation studies, post-colonial studies and criminology in order to deconstruct the notion of the universality of Human Rights.

Body Politics (OPTION)
This module introduces the students to different paradigms of the ‘body’ and ‘embodiment’. Recent research suggests that our understandings and our relationship with our own and other ‘bodies’ has been and is continuing to undergo radical changes. This module will explore these ongoing developments in Western and non-Western cultures and societies. Throughout we will be concerned to link theoretical accounts of the ‘body’ with developments in contemporary societies. The module will further demonstrate the relevance of conceptions of ‘body’ in different academic and professional arenas. The module will equip the students with the skills to identify and critically explore a diversity of current representations of ‘body’ in everyday life.

War Crimes and Genocide
This module is constructed as an attempt to understand the ‘anatomy’ of war crimes and genocide – their origins, ideological basis, socio-political contexts, the techniques and technologies used - and whether there are precedented and unprecedented aspects to such phenomena. It is organised as a set of thoughts, springboards for further consideration on the historical, philosophical, political and sociological aspects of war crimes and genocide and for this reason it is particularly appealing to students who wish to develop a wider understanding of academic disciplines such as criminology, sociology, anthropology, international relation studies, politics, psychology, law and modern and contemporary history.

Theoretical discourses on war crime and genocide will give rise in this module to several case-study lectures which focus primarily but not exclusively on Armenia, Rwanda, Sudan, the Former Republic of Yugoslavia, and Tibet. Arguments will also be framed around Germany, Australia and South Africa as they each illustrate important aspects of the study of genocide. For example, the structural process in the case of Germany, whereby anti-Semitism was transformed into an industrialised engine of genocide; the matters of definition and interpretation in the case of Australia; and the question in South Africa of whether or not the apartheid regime can be described as genocidal.
This module will also offer some reflections on responses to genocide, both official and not so official and discuss the seemingly inability or refusal by member states and the international community as a whole, to concede in some instances the existence of crimes against humanity.

Studying Social Policy at the University of Lincoln involves both directed and independent learning. Each module is delivered through a combination of weekly lectures and associated seminars and workshops. The seminars provide an opportunity for students to discuss issues raised in the lecture and engage in critical reflection on the issues being studied. Students will also have the opportunity to meet with module leaders in tutorial sessions. As well as directed study, students will undertake independent learning using traditional library resources as well as a wide range of electronic resources. The level 1 module, Applying Research, supports students to develop the requisite skills for effective independent learning.

The assessment strategy adopted within the Social Policy Programme is designed to test and enhance students’ knowledge, skills and abilities as well as to prepare them for the demands of work. Assessments test students’ attainments of learning outcomes that demonstrate and encourage not only the knowledge base but also the development of transferable skills across the programme. Written communication skills are developed through essays and examinations, oral communication skills through presentations; literature searching and review through essays, examinations and presentations, computer literacy skills through word-processing and use of electronic resources. We utilise a broad spectrum of assessment strategies. In the final year student combine their study skills to undertake their own chosen area of study in the preparation of an Independent Study.

The Criminology degree is taught on the University’s main Brayford campus within 5 minutes walk of the city centre. The Brayford campus is the newest purpose built UK campus and such it is a modern purpose built campus set within the historic city of Lincoln. The campus teaching area has recently also benefited from a new national Learning Landscapes £250,000 project which has revamped much of the teaching and learning facilities used by criminology. Criminology is thus taught within specialist modern buildings offering a wide variety of lecture theatres and seminar rooms ideal for both large scale lectures and small scale seminars and group work activities. The campus is set alongside the student village and also very close to the extensive private purpose built student accommodation. This setting makes getting to and from classes very easy for students but it is equally well set for access to local shops and facilities.

It is if you are looking for a course that provides the foundation for considering some of the most contentious issues in contemporary society. It is if you consider the challenging issues which Criminology and Social Policy address not merely interesting but worthy of understanding as more complex issues than are ‘popularly’ though. It is if you wish to take that understanding into the career wider world. This is a subject area that has generated a whole industry of experts and workers, if working in such areas interests you, then this course may be just the course you have been looking for.

Graduates from the Criminology and Social Policy programme have gone on to pursue careers in : Probation, Social Work, Youth offender teams, Youth work, welfare services in the private, public and voluntary sectors, public administration. Common Professional Entrance Exam courses, Further and Higher Teaching, Prison Service (including fast track), Police Service (including fast track), Police Research, Security Services, Victim Support, Crown Prosecution Service, Campaign for Racial Equality, Safer Cities Programmes, Legal Services Commission and SOVA. Many students have also progressed onto postgraduate study and research on MA, MPhil and PhD courses.

For further information and funding your studey please see our Fees & Funding pages.

Fees and Funding