s PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION Final PART 1: COURSE SUMMARY INFORMATION Course summary Final award Intermediate award Course status Awarding body Faculty Location of study/ campus Partner institution(s) MA Criminology and Criminal Justice PGDip Criminology and Criminal Justice PGCert Criminology and Criminal Justice Validated University of Brighton N/A Falmer Name of institution Host department Course status 1. SELECT 2. 3. Admissions Admissions agency Entry requirements Include any progression opportunities into the course. Direct to School Normally a good first degree in a social science including criminology or the sociology of deviance. Relevant professional experience assessed at interview. Standard general entry criteria will apply There are two Extended Masters routes for those applicants who meet academic entry qualifications, but who do not meet the minimum English Language requirements: 12 Week Extended Masters option (30 CATS at level 6 in total) With an entry level of IELTS 5.5, with no component under 5.5 (or equivalent), students can register for the 12 week EMA route. This is 3 months (12 weeks) of subject specific English language and academic skills before the Master s degree 8 Week Extended Masters option (30 CATS at level 6 in total) With an entry level of IELTS 6.0, with no component under 5.5 (or equivalent), students can register for the 8 week EMA route. This is 2 months (8 weeks) of subject specific English language before the Master s degree. For more information please see the Faculty of Health and Social Science Extended Masters programme specification: Or visit the Language Institute webpage: http://www.brighton.ac.uk/learnenglish/extended-masters/ Applicable for 2014 entry. Check the University s website for 2015 entry requirements. Page 1 of 12
Start date (mmm-yy) Normally September Sep-14 Mode of study Mode of study Duration of study (standard) Maximum registration period Full-time 1 year Other: 2 years Part-time 3 years 6 years Sandwich Select Select Distance Select Select Course codes/categories UCAS code Contacts Course Leader (or Course Development Leader) Admissions Tutor Dr Lynda Measor Lynda Measor Examination and Assessment External Examiner(s) Name Place of work Date tenure expires Christina Pantazis University of Bristol 30/09/15 Replacement external examiner tbc Examination Board(s) (AEB/CEB) School of Applied Social Science PG AEB Faculty of Health CEB Approval and review Validation Approval date Review date February 2006; Revalidated July 2017 2 July 2012 1 Programme Specification August 2010 Republished Oct 2011 with changes to registration periods & addition optional module Republished Sep 2012 with changes post Periodic Review Republished Sep 2013 with title change Republished Sep 2014 with change to Course Leader Republished Sep 2015 with no changes 3 Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body 1 (if applicable): Sept 2016 4 5 1 Date of original validation. 2 Date of most recent periodic review (normally academic year of validation + 5 years). 3 Month and year this version of the programme specification was approved (normally September). 4 Date programme specification will be reviewed (normally approval date + 1 year). If programme specification is applicable to a particular cohort, please state here. Page 2 of 12
Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body 2 (if applicable): Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body 3 (if applicable): 5 Date of most recent review by accrediting/ approving external body. Page 3 of 12
PART 2: COURSE DETAILS AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES Aims The aims of the course are: i. To provide an understanding of the key concepts and theoretical approaches informing the development of contemporary mainstream criminology, in order to contextualise and explain the origins of the main critical traditions in contemporary criminology. ii. To encourage an understanding of the key concepts and approaches underpinning contemporary critical criminology, including a critical appreciation of the processes establishing contemporary notions and discourses of crime and criminality, policing and criminal justice, the processes of criminalisation and victimisation, the paradigms of crime prevention, social control, community safety and risk management, and the forms of criminal justice system intervention iii. To provide a course of study in contemporary critical criminology in which the importance of contexts, structures (including race, class, age and gender), and social processes and cultures are foregrounded in the development of an appreciation of criminalising, victimising, crime prevention and management processes. vi. To provide a critical appreciation of the nature and appropriate use of research strategies and methods in understanding issues of crime, victimisation, crime prevention and control, from micro- to macro- levels of analysis. v. To provide a course of study in critical criminology through which students develop an advanced capacity to identify and understand the nature of criminological questions, an ability to critically interrogate these in the context of the developing discipline and to devise appropriate research and evaluation methods and strategies to explore them. vi. To provide opportunities for a critical exploration of concepts of youthful deviance and youth justice, violence, urban social process and disorder, culture and risk, and the ways in which these are perceived and represented in contemporary society. Learning outcomes The outcomes of the main award provide information about how the primary aims are demonstrated by students following the course. These are mapped to external reference points where appropriate 6. Knowledge and theory Students should be able to show understanding of key concepts and theoretical approaches within contemporary critical criminology, including a critical appreciation of the processes establishing contemporary notions and discourses of crime, criminality, policing and criminal justice (SS795, SS793, SS796, SS797, SS799). Students should be able to show a critical appreciation of processes of criminalisation and victimisation, of forms of social control and types of crime prevention and risk management, and of the variety of criminal justice system interventions (SS795, SS793, SS797, SS799, SS796). Students should be able to demonstrate a critical appreciation of the importance of contexts, structures (including race, class, age and gender), social processes and cultures in the development of criminalising and victimising relationships and crime prevention and management strategies (SSM75, SS793, S797, SS799, SS796). 6 Please refer to Course Development and Review Handbook or QAA website for details. Page 4 of 12
Students should be capable of demonstrating an ability to undertake a critical exploration of concepts of youthful deviance and youth justice, violence, urban social process and disorder, culture and risk, and the ways in which these issues are perceived and represented in contemporary society (SS797, SS799, SS769). Skills Includes intellectual skills (i.e. generic skills relating to academic study, problem solving, evaluation, research etc.) and professional/ practical skills. Students should be able to demonstrate the development of an advanced capacity to identify and understand the nature of critical criminological questions (SS742, SS749, SS795) Students should be able to demonstrate an ability to critically interrogate criminological issues in the context of the developing discipline and to devise appropriate research and evaluation methods and strategies to explore them (SS795, SS742, SS749, SS799, SS796). Students should be able to formulate a research proposal and, in so doing, should be able to apply appropriate research methods and strategies in order to analyse issues of crime, victimisation, crime prevention and control, including micro- and macro- levels of analysis, qualitative and quantitative methods, whilst recognising the strengths and limitations of each (SS742, SS749, SS796). Students should be able to manage a research project of their own design, collecting and interpreting appropriate data (SS742, SS749, SS796). Students should be able to present the results of their research and scholarship in verbal and written form and engage effectively in critical dialogue with peers (All modules). QAA subject benchmark statement (where applicable) 7 The QAA Subject Review in 2003 concluded that it had confidence in the academic standards of the School of Applied Social Science PROFESSIONAL, STATUTORY AND REGULATORY BODIES (where applicable) Where a course is accredited by a PSRB, full details of how the course meets external requirements, and what students are required to undertake, are included. LEARNING AND TEACHING Learning and teaching methods This section sets out the primary learning and teaching methods, including total learning hours and any specific requirements in terms of practical/ clinical-based learning. The indicative list of learning and teaching methods includes information on the proportion of the course delivered by each method and details where a particular method relates to a particular element of the course. The course will be taught by a range of methods including lectures, workshops, student-led seminars and occasional guest speakers. At the initial levels of the course (Cert. and Diploma) teaching input will largely take the form of lectures, seminars and group work, with some additional learning support being offered in the form of on line learning and tutor support. 7 Please refer to the QAA website for details. Page 5 of 12
For Diploma and Masters level, there is also learning delivered via the above teaching methods, but with an increased emphasis on supporting students private study in their chosen modules and supervision for their dissertations. The School of Applied Social Science has Learning and Teaching and Professional Development Policies (Peer Review) in place and these will assist teaching staff on the MA Criminology with the delivery of quality learning and teaching input. The School has implemented a peer review of teaching. The school is implementing the University Learning and Teaching Policy and this will inform the learning and teaching on this course. The learning input includes formative student presentations and exercises that facilitate the students in making links between criminological theory and concrete problems and issues. The relatively high proportion of self study time is designed to prepare students for the work they will need to undertake for their dissertation and this practice takes into account the feedback of previous postgraduate students. Hours of Study Certificate = 600 hours Diploma = 1200 hours Masters = 1800 hours Assessment points will typically fall at the end of modules although formative assessment opportunities, in the form of seminar presentations and literature reviews will be offered during module programmes. Methods of teaching, learning and assessment will comprise: lectures by course team staff (30% of the course), student led seminars (40%), workshops (10%), student literature reviews (10%), tutorial support and supervision (10%). Learning and Teaching Method % of Student Effort e.g. Lectures 10% Independent study 50% etc ASSESSMENT Assessment methods This section sets out the summative assessment methods on the course and includes details on where to find further information on the criteria used in assessing coursework. It also provides an assessment matrix which reflects the variety of modes of assessment, and the volume of assessment in the course. Each module will be independently assessed: Below 50% refer/fail 50%-59% pass 60%-69% merit Above 70% distinction To achieve a merit or distinction at PGCert or PGDip level an aggregate mark of between 60%-69% for merit or 70% or above for distinction must be achieved. To gain merit at Masters Level an aggregate mark of 60%-69% in the taught component plus a mark of 60%-69% in the dissertation must be achieved. To gain a distinction at Masters level an aggregate mark of 70% or over must be achieved in the taught component plus a mark of 70% or over in the dissertation. Page 6 of 12
When students are unable to progress to their original masters, PG Diploma or PG Certificate award as they have not attained the mandatory modules for that award or they fail to progress and wish to exit with some recognition of the 60 academic credits they have achieved, there is the possibility of these students transferring to the generic PG Certificate Health within this award LEARNING OUTCOME MODULES ASSESSMENT Knowledge and Theory Students should be able to show understanding of key concepts and theoretical approaches within contemporary critical criminology, including a critical appreciation of the processes establishing contemporary notions and discourses of crime, criminality, policing and criminal justice). Students should be able to show an understanding of processes of criminalisation and victimisation, of forms of social control and types of crime prevention and risk management, and of the variety of criminal justice system interventions. SS795, SS793, SS797, SS798, SS799, SS758, SS796, SS769 SS795, SS793, SS798, SS799, SS797, SS758, SS796, SS769 Essays, Literature reviews, Seminar presentations, Case Studies, Dissertation. Essays, Literature reviews, Seminar presentations, Case Studies. Students should be able to demonstrate a critical appreciation of the importance of contexts, structures (including race, class, age and gender), social processes and cultures in the development of criminalising and victimising relationships and crime prevention and management strategies. SS795, SS793, SS790, SS797, SS798, SS799, SS758, SS796, SS769 Research Project Dissertation Essays, Presentations Case Study, Dissertation. Students should be capable of demonstrating an ability to undertake a critical exploration of concepts of youthful deviance and youth justice, violence, urban social process and disorder, culture and risk, and the ways in which these issues are perceived and represented in contemporary society. SS798, SS797, SS799, SS758, SS769. Essays, Seminar Presentations, Literature Review Case studies. Skills Page 7 of 12 Students should be able to demonstrate the SS795, SS742, Essays, Research
able to apply appropriate research methods and strategies in order to analyse issues of crime, victimisation, crime prevention and control, including micro- and macro- levels of analysis, qualitative and quantitative methods, whilst recognising the strengths and limitations of each. Presentations Students should be able to manage a research project of their own design, collecting and interpreting appropriate data. SS742, SS749, SS796 Research Project Dissertation. Presentations Students should be able to present the results of their research and scholarship in verbal and written form and engage effectively in critical dialogue with peers. All modules Coursework, Dissertation, Presentations, Discussion & Debate SUPPORT AND INFORMATION Institutional/ University Course-specific Additional support, specifically where courses have nontraditional patterns of delivery (e.g. distance learning and work-based learning) include: All students benefit from: University induction week Student Handbook: the University and you Course Handbook Extensive library facilities Computer pool rooms (indicate number of workstations by site) E-mail address Welfare service Personal tutor for advice and guidance In addition, students on this course benefit from: Please refer to information held in studentcentral. Research Active Teaching Staff (Lecturing, Seminar and Tutorial Support) Course Module Handbooks (comprising topic summaries, reading and activity suggestions) School Licence for SPSS Software analysis (as appropriate) StudentCentral (Course-related and Module websites) Postgraduate Dissertation Event Page 8 of 12
PART 3: COURSE SPECIFIC REGULATIONS COURSE STRUCTURE This section includes an outline of the structure of the programme, including stages of study and progression points. Course Leaders may choose to include a structure diagram here. Modules Status: M = Mandatory (modules which must be taken and passed to be eligible for the award) C = Compulsory (modules which must be taken to be eligible for the award) O = Optional (optional modules) A = Additional (modules which must be taken to be eligible for an award accredited by a professional, statutory or regulatory body, including any non-credit bearing modules) Level 8 Module Status Module title Credit code 7 SS795 M Issues in Contemporary Criminological Theory 20 7 SS793 M Policing and Criminal Justice 20 7 SS749 or SS742 C Quantitative Research Methods in the Social Sciences OR Doing Qualitative Research 7 SS796 M Dissertation 60 7 SS797 O Violence, Culture and Society 20 7 SS799 O Governing Urban Disorder 20 7 SS769** O Topics in Contemporary Criminology 20 And 7 SS7 XX O One free choice module from the Health Faculty Graduate Programme 20 20 **SS769 draws on content of SS369 but with Masters level assessment. M = Mandatory C = Compulsory O = Optional 9 SS795, SS793 and Dissertation SS796 are mandatory for the full MA Award SS795 and SS793 are mandatory for the PG. Diploma (plus 80 further credits, at least 50% of which must be from criminology course modules) The PG. Certificate will be available to students completing SS795, SS793 and at least one other 20 credit module. 8 All modules have learning outcomes commensurate with the FHEQ levels 0, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. List the level which corresponds with the learning outcomes of each module. 9 Mandatory must be taken and passed. Compulsory must be taken but may be compensated for; Optional may be compensated for or replaced by an alternative optional module in the event of academic failure & as agreed by the CEB. Page 9 of 12
Status: M = Mandatory (modules which must be taken and passed to be eligible for the award) C = Compulsory (modules which must be taken to be eligible for the award) O = Optional (optional modules) A = Additional (modules which must be taken to be eligible for an award accredited by a professional, statutory or regulatory body, including any non-credit bearing modules) Page 10 of 12
AWARD AND CLASSIFICATION Award type Award* Title Level Eligibility for award Classification of award Total credits 10 Minimum credits 11 Ratio of marks 12 : Class of award Final MA Criminology 7 Total credit 180 Minimum credit at level of award Other: 180 Intermediate PG Dip Criminology 7 Total credit 120 Minimum credit at level of award 120 Intermediate PG Cert Criminology 7 Total credit 60 Minimum credit at level of award 60 Select Select Total credit Select Minimum credit at level of award Select Select Select Total credit Select Minimum credit at level of award Select *Foundation degrees only Progression routes from award: Level 7 marks Level 7 marks Level 7 marks Select Select Postgraduate degree Postgraduate (taught) d Postgraduate (taught) d Award classifications Mark/ band % Foundation degree Honours degree Postgraduate 13 degree (excludes PGCE and BM BS) 70% - 100% Distinction First (1) Distinction 60% - 69.99% Merit Upper second (2:1) Merit 50% - 59.99% Lower second (2:2) Pass Pass 40% - 49.99% Third (3) Select Select 10 Total number of credits required to be eligible for the award. 11 Minimum number of credits required, at level of award, to be eligible for the award. 12 Algorithm used to determine the classification of the final award (all marks are credit-weighted). For a Masters degree, the mark for the final element (e.g, dissertation) must be in the corresponding class of award. 13 Refers to taught provision: PG Cert, PG Dip, Masters. Page 11 of 12
EXAMINATION AND ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS Please refer to the Course Approval and Review Handbook when completing this section. The examination and assessment regulations for the course should be in accordance with the University s General Examination and Assessment Regulations for Taught Courses (available from staffcentral or studentcentral). Specific regulations which materially affect assessment, progression and award on the course e.g. Where referrals or repeat of modules are not permitted in line with the University s General Examination and Assessment Regulations for Taught Courses. Exceptions required by PSRB These require the approval of the Chair of the Academic Board Regulations for this Programme are governed by the Faculty of Health Graduate Programme in Health and Social Sciences. Assessment Regulations follow the standards set out in the existing Faculty of Health Graduate Programme in Health and Social Sciences and University of Brighton General Examination and Assessment Regulations. Document template revised: 2010 Page 12 of 12