University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2017/18 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Social Sciences and Law > School for Policy Studies > Criminology (BSc) > Specification
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Programme code | 9SPOL022U |
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Programme type | Single Honours |
Programme director(s) |
Mike McBeth
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Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
School/department | School for Policy Studies |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Relevant QAA subject benchmark groups | Criminology (2019) (benchmark statement) |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 3 years (full time) |
This programme aims to develop the student’s interest in and knowledge and understanding of criminology within the broader context of policy studies. Criminology is a multi-disciplinary subject, which draws on different disciplines such sociology, law, history, psychology, philosophy, and social policy. Based in the School for Policy Studies, the BSc Criminology programme has two core aims: (i) to provide an understanding of crime and related social harms; and (ii) to analyse the role and impact of public policies on crime and harm reduction. The programme draws upon zemiological (social harm) perspectives to examine conventionally defined crimes, and also other activities/behaviours which may not be criminalised, but yet cause extensive harm to individuals and society.
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Acquisition of core knowledge and understanding is through lectures, seminars, classes and workshops together with regular course work in the form of essays, presentations and projects involving analysis of data (e.g. quantitative and qualitative). Advanced knowledge is acquired through individual supervision and one-to-one tutorials as part of the preparation of the student's dissertation. Throughout students are encouraged to undertake independent study both to consolidate and supplement what is being taught and to broaden and deepen their individual knowledge and understanding of the subject. This independent study will include the reading of academic texts and journal articles, public documents and internet material. |
Methods of Assessment | |
During preparation of the 10,000 word dissertation regular meetings between student and advisor include feedback on the student's work in progress. Summative assessment is through a combination of unseen written examinations, assessed extended essays, and a critical analysis of a piece of published research. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Intellectual skills are being developed through the teaching and learning programme outlined above – and in particular students are exposed to this form of analysis in the lecture programme. Acquisition of 1 through to 6 are further developed by discussion of key issues, summarising key points from reading and unit course work unit essays. Acquisition of 7,8 and 9 are developed primarily through training in research methods and data analysis (e.g. statistical analyses, thematic analysis) (mandatory units), one-to-one discussion with academic advisor of student dissertation and dissertation empirical work. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Formative assessment of intellectual skills is through unit course work unit essays, feedback on student presentations and on a variety of class work. Summative assessment of intellectual skills is through unseen written examination or assessed extended essay. Skills relating to the planning, performance and reporting on a programme of original research are assessed by the dissertation. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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All learners receive initial guidance on how to identify, locate and use material available in libraries and elsewhere (6). Comprehensive bibliographies are provided for each course unit at the outset, as are guidelines for production of essays. Workshops are given in the use of on-line databases for literature searching. The final year dissertation is supported by a series of workshops relating to quantitative and qualitative and mixed methods which enhance and extend these skills.
Workshops provide support for students' own personal and professional development. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Formative assessment of skills 1-3, & 6 is through course work unit essays, feedback on student presentations (in particular the presentation of the student's own dissertation work at dissertation conferences). Summative assessment of skills 1 to 3 and 6 is through unseen written examination or assessed extended essays and through submission of the dissertation. Skill 5 is assessed by the ability to meet the deadlines set for assessment, and preparation of contributions to classes. |
Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level C/4 - Certificate |
At the end of this level, students are expected to be able to demonstrate knowledge of: the nature, prevalence and patterning of major crimes and social harms; key concepts and theories in relation to these phenomena; the contemporary and historical development of criminal justice and public policy interventions responsible for controlling crime and social harm; and research skills relevant to their discipline and study skills for higher education. |
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Level I/5 - Intermediate |
At the end of this level, students are expected to be able to demonstrate that they have expanded the range and depth of their criminological knowledge. Through mandatory units, they should have deepened their knowledge of theories related to crime, deviance, victimisation, social harm and responses to these phenomena via an the examination of the ideas of key criminological thinkers, and also become familiar with the range of research methodologies relevant to their field. Through their choice of optional units they should be developing their skills and knowledge in relation to particular topics. They are expected to be developing a capacity for self-directed learning. |
Level H/6 - Honours |
Learners should continue to develop the depth of their knowledge and critical reflections through their study of both mandatory and optional subjects. Students are expected to demonstrate an ability to apply the skills learnt in the research methods unit and to enhance their capacity for self-directed study, especially through the completion of a dissertation. Students are expected to demonstrate an enhanced knowledge of how the production of crime and social harm is related to the way society is organised and how public policy interventions can contribute to a harm-free society. |
The intended learning outcome mapping document shows which mandatory units contribute towards each programme intended learning outcome.
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the undergraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/undergraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
Workload Statement
Success at undergraduate level in the Social Sciences and Law depends on your being able to make the transition to self-motivated, independent learning. The programmes offered in the Faculty are designed to assist you in this development, in many cases by starting with larger lecture-based units providing the foundations of knowledge and skills in a subject, moving through to smaller seminar-based specialist units and finishing with an individual dissertation or research project. Over time you will be expected to take increasing responsibility for your own learning. But at the heart of your studies at every level there must be regular and disciplined individual reading, reflection and writing, whether in the library or at home. It is this skill of independent study above all others that you will take with you when you leave.
This model of academic development is particularly obvious in the more discursive subjects such as law, politics, social policy and sociology. The typical timetabled contact time for a discursive 20 credit point unit in the Faculty is about 30 hours. You will find that you need to allow for about 10 hours preparation on your own if you are to get the most from one of these teaching sessions. In addition there will often be class presentations or essays to write. Typically, the final year will include an independent research unit which by definition has a much smaller amount of more individualised support. Towards the end of any teaching block you may have additional revision or updating classes, and many programmes have occasional ad-hoc lectures of general interest and relevance. If you get stuck, there is always the chance to speak to your lecturer after a class or during their hours of general availability, or you could see your personal tutor. The Faculty also includes programmes which require increasing levels of mathematical sophistication, typically in Economics, Finance and Management. In this latter case, much larger numbers of lectures - up to 18 hours a week depending on option choices - and fewer small group classes are normal, as in the sciences.
As a result, and depending on your particular programme and option choices, your timetable is likely to be a lot less structured than that of fellow students who are linguists, scientists, engineers or medics. But the time that others spend in laboratories you should be spending in private study. In a sense, the library is your laboratory, and you will want to make best use of the excellent range of resources available to you here. A good University education does not tell you 'what you need to know'. Rather, we assume that, like your lecturers and professors, you are intellectually curious about your subject. We invite you to join us and we are there to help you satisfy your curiosity as best we can.
Assessment Statement
Please select the following link for a statement about assessment. This is University of Bristol access only.
https://www.bris.ac.uk/fssl/current-students/fssl-undergraduates/assessmentandfeedbackstatement.pdf
Students coming onto the programme may have the opportunity to transfer onto the four year BSc Criminology with Study Abroad programme at the end of their first year, providing they have achieved an average mark of 55% or more across their first year units . This will allow students to spend the year abroad in an English-speaking university in another country, following the completion of their 2nd year. They may choose to study topics related to their discipline (and hence extend their knowledge of comparative and international criminology) or take units related to the broader social sciences or arts and humanities including languages.
Undergraduate Programmes’ Office: sps-ugadmin@bristol.ac.uk
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
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