Programme Specification. M.Sc. in Criminology and Criminal Justice. Entry requirements: Aims and Objectives. Course Content and Structure

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1 Programme Specification M.Sc. in Criminology and Criminal Justice Entry requirements: Candidates should normally have at least a second class honours degree from a British university, or its equivalent, although professional qualifications and experience may be taken into account. Where English is not the first language of the candidate, the successful applicant must have either IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 250 (computer) or 600 (paper). Aims and Objectives The key learning objectives of the programme are that by the end of the programme students will have developed and enhanced skills and abilities to: understand and apply theories and models of criminology and criminal justice, including the ability to undertake conceptual analysis, to assess critically different theoretical perspectives and to develop testable propositions. report on and critically interpret research on criminal justice issues, including the ability to interpret research findings and relates these to alternative theoretical propositions. understand key problems of crime, explanations of crime and the operation of the criminal justice system. use local and international information services effectively, including the ability to use documentary sources, libraries and archives, databases and other information held on computers and through the internet. appreciate and understand the theoretical and historical debates about the causes and control of crime, key issues in contemporary criminology and criminal justice, and historical and current debates in policing and crime prevention. design research, including the development of hypotheses and conceptual frameworks, the conduct of literature reviews, the choice of alternative research methods and an understanding of the problems of ethics and access in criminal justice research. organise, manage and conduct research, including the ability to undertake a research project, implementing an appropriate research strategy and methods, and to write a detailed report on the study and its findings. Course Content and Structure During the first eighteen months of study students are required to complete six Modules, each of which comprises nine units; details of these are provided below. Each Module is designed as a self-study guide and contains a number of readings intended to supplement the material provided by the course team. In addition a number of textbooks are provided with the Modules. On completion of each Module students are required to submit an assignment of between 3,000-4,000 words, drawn from three options provided. Along with the 15,000-20,000-word dissertation, these six Modules constitute the formal assessment for the programme. Modules One and Two are core courses also shared by students completing the MSc Community Safety and the MSc Police Leadership and Management. The second module is a core only for the MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice. The remaining three modules are chosen from a pool of modules also available as options for those on the MSc Community Safety and the MSc Police Leadership and Management. Students also receive a course Handbook, which details the administrative arrangements for the course, how to submit assignments and the dissertation, research ethics and so forth. Module One: Unit 1 Unit 2 Theories of Crime and Deviance Introduction: Measurement and Impact of Crime Introduction: The Classical School 1

2 Unit 3 Unit 4 Unit 5 Unit 6 Unit 7 Unit 8 Unit 9 Biological and Psychological Positivism Sociological Positivism and Anomie Theories Subcultural and Labelling Theories Control Theories Conflict and Radical Theories Feminism and Criminology Summary and Conclusion: Contemporary Developments in Theories of Crime and Deviance Module Two: Issues in Criminal Justice Theoretical Approaches to the Criminal Justice Process Investigation and the Prosecution of Crime Issues in the Pre-trial Process Media Representation of Crime Privatisation of Policing Human Rights and Criminal Justice Women in the Criminal Justice Process Ethnic Minorities in the Criminal Justice Process Victims in the Criminal Justice Process Module Three: Research Methods Getting Started: an Introduction to Research Research Ethics Reviewing the Published Literature The Social Context of Research Research Design Data Gathering Techniques Qualitative Analysis and Presentation Statistical Tests Writing a Research Proposal and Dissertation Policing and Crime Prevention Introduction: The Origins, Foundations and History of the Police Policing and the Community The Militarisation of Policing Police Accountability Models of Policing Comparative Policing Situational Crime Prevention Social and Community Crime Prevention Summary and Conclusion: Policing Effectiveness and Crime Prevention Crime and Penal Policy Theories and Justification for Punishment Sentencing The History and Purpose of Prisons Contemporary Problems of Imprisonment Penal Reform and the Fate of Imprisonment Contemporary Issues of Imprisonment 2

3 The Privatisation of Prisons Community Sentences Early Release Policing Diversity Policing Diversity in Context From Old Police to New Police to Post-modern Police Zero Tolerance Policing and the Underclass Policing Diversity: the Case of Canada Paramilitarisation the Future of Policing? Policing, Racialisation and Society Media, Criminalisation & Society Ideology, Order and Critical Theory Conclusion Policing and Legitimacy Leadership and Management Introduction to Management and Leadership Theory Leadership and Management Leadership and Motivation Leadership and Organisations Goals, Planning and Decision Making Management of Partnerships Information Systems Security Health and Safety Management Conclusion: The Basis of Effective Leadership Crime, Order and Society Crime, Unemployment and the Underclass Organised and Corporate Crime Prostitution Violence Against Women Youth Justice Auditing Crime and Disorder Mulitagency Approaches to Rural Racism Towards a Surveillance Society Reflections on Crime and Society Dissertation In the last six months of the course, students must complete a dissertation of between 15,000-20,000 words. This provides students with the opportunity to examine in depth a topic of particular relevance to their interests and work in the subject area of the degree title. This is completed with the guidance of an individual supervisor and in accordance with a dissertation proposal form that must be approved by the course director, as well as an ethics checklist which must be approved by the Department of Criminology s Ethics Committee. Subject and Professional Skills Intended Outcomes Teaching Methods How demonstrated 3

4 Knowledge Advanced knowledge of Independent research & written course Assessed essay & dissertation. issues related to criminal justice. Integration of this with current developments in criminology, policing and crime prevention and the criminal justice system. Concepts Enhanced grasp of principles Independent research & written course Assessed essay & dissertation. of concepts of criminality, crime prevention, punishment, leadership and their specific application to the context of criminal justice. Techniques Mastery of research methods, Independent research & written course Assessed essay & dissertation. including information management. Critical Analysis Ability to apply understanding Independent research & written course Assessed essay & dissertation. of concepts and techniques with independence, rigour & self-reflexivity. Presentation Ability to organise research Independent research & written course Assessed essay & dissertation. material in a manner appropriate to the medium that is to be assessed; to write assignments to a high standard, and; to collate and present research findings in the dissertation. Appraisal of evidence Ability to analyse and assess a Independent research & written course Assessed essay & dissertation. variety of complex criminological issues in the context of criminal justice. Ability to mount and sustain an independent level of inquiry at an advanced level. Transferable Skills Intended Outcomes Teaching Methods How demonstrated Managing Learning Ability to manage self-directed Independent research & written course Assessed essay & dissertation. learning timetable and meet deadlines especially developed in the dissertation process. 4

5 Research Skills Knowledge of theoretical and Independent research & written course Assessed essay & dissertation. ethical dimensions of methodological issues; improved critical abilities and capacity to identify research questions and devise research tools. Working Relationships Knowing how and when to draw tutorial system and study school Some group work at study schools, but on the knowledge & expertise of interactions; use of University s not formally assessed. University staff; some informal Blackboard system. liaison with fellow students. Data Presentation Ability to present research Research Methods Module and Assessed essay & dissertation. clearly and effectively. independent research. Communication Skills Ability to communicate effectively Independent research & written course in context of tutorials and study schools; ability to write cogently and clearly. Assessed essay & dissertation. Special Features Independent learning and research dissertation. 5