Applied Criminology

The dissertation module will utilise and develop research skills and demonstrate original application of knowledge through critical academic exploration of a chosen topic with guidance and supervision. The module encourages the development of autonomous learning, requiring a commitment to study, using your initiative, confidence, perseverance, self-motivation, organisation in deploying knowledge, and concepts and skills acquired throughout the degree. Approaches taken will vary, ranging from library research and historical/archival research, through to action research and evaluative projects involving qualitative and/or quantitative methods. You will work closely with a supervisor in the development of research skills and meeting the demands of a sustained project including organisation, writing-up and editing. Dissertations typically cover a wide range of topics: a few recent examples include racial injustice, assessment of domestic abuse programmes, drugs markets and ‘county lines’ exploitation of young people.

This module provides advanced research methods training and as such covers the key dimensions of qualitative and quantitative methods, as well as the appropriate elements of the philosophy of social science. The module includes a core focus on the practical challenges of delivering research.

Core methodological issues include the following:

• Ontology, epistemology and sociology
• Formulating research questions
• Research design
• Interpretive techniques
• Confirmatory techniques
• Primary and secondary data analysis
• Multiple research strategies
• Ethical considerations
• Conceptual and empirical problems

Criminological theory explains crime, deviance and victimisation. This module will incorporate an integrated approach to understanding why people breach the law and adhere to the law. It will combine key contemporary criminological theory that draws from a range of disciplines, such as psychology, economics, sociology and cultural studies.

The module explores how substance use research can benefit wider society, be it national drug policy, public services, charities or individuals. In bringing academic research together with real-world problems, research can be applied to combat issues such as the demonisation of substance users, the prevalence of certain substances and harmful substance trends, negative or lack of responses from public services, charitable organisations, and social policy. The module will examine how to take your research findings from an academic publication into the real-world, communicating directly to stakeholders who can benefit from your research.

A critical assessment of contemporary criminal justice and injustice, taking into account offenders, victims and the public. You will reflect on how social, legal, moral and economic debates shape our understanding of justice and how it should be delivered. This includes trust and legitimacy in the criminal justice system with exploration of policies and practices that may be deemed unfair and unjust (eg Joint Enterprise, Proceeds of Crime Act, Gang Databases and PREVENT). 

You will undertake a project-based placement with an organisation operating in an area relevant to criminology. You may undertake a hands-on role, or carry out a piece of work (eg a report) commissioned by the organisation, and critically reflect on the experience. Your placement may involve you volunteering for an organisation or be specifically arranged by the programme team (you can organise your own, subject to approval by module leader) and overseen by a link member of staff. This module earns academic credits only.

The criminal justice system encompasses both statutory and non-statutory organisations. Current and former practitioners working in the criminal justice sector, including the state, charities and private organisations, will be involved in the delivery of this module. Example areas for inclusion are prisons, probation and multi-agency 'Through the Gate' work. The module will explore key principles, values and issues relevant to work within this sector and involve discussion around how it can operate most effectively.

This module will develop students’ knowledge of contemporary responses to substance use, including a critical understanding of policy, and different treatment models and the theories and strategies that underpin them. Key concepts such as ‘harm reduction’, ‘recovery’ and ‘abstinence’ and the ‘drug-crime nexus’ will be introduced and explored.