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Explores the origins and different approaches to policing before moving on to study decision-making in operational policing, public order policing, and criminal investigation.

Examines the roles of the various agencies that constitute the criminal justice system, their relationships, and their impact upon offenders, victims, and society. 

This module examines the skills required to study at university. Research skills, academic writing, and theoretical knowledge and understanding will be developed to the level required. 

Explores the field of criminology and social sciences, including its emergence as one of the dominant fields within applied social sciences. 

This module develops throughout the final two years and examines concepts, debates, and decision-making around topical areas within four themes: theory and context, volume crime, forensic science, and major enquiries. Decision-making, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills will be explored and developed throughout this module to provide an effective and efficient investigative mindset.

These linked modules develop throughout the final two years and examine concepts, debates, and decision-making around topical areas within four themes: policing 21st-century UK, policing vulnerable groups, doing policing, and microscope on policing. 

This is a preparatory module for the final year dissertation and covers the identification of research questions, research strategy, various research methods, and research ethics, with particular regard to conducting research into the police and the criminal justice system. 

This module provides knowledge and understanding of research and explores a diverse range of theory and research methodologies. 

Options currently include:

Domestic Violence and Abuse – This module considers the changing social, political, and legal recognition of domestic violence and abuse and its impact. You will be encouraged to examine the varying contexts, nature, signs, triggers, and impact of domestic violence and abuse. The module highlights social and healthcare responsibilities as well as developments within the criminal justice sector and legal and civil proceedings frameworks. You will compare and contrast various responses to domestic violence and abuse that have emerged, including multi-agency frameworks such as MARAC. Key concepts such as support, safety, empowerment, and resolution are revisited throughout the module.

Animals and Criminology – This module covers the different ways in which animals are the topic of criminological examination. You will be introduced to a broad range of topics such as animal abuse, wildlife trafficking, conservation, and animal advocacy, and will critically explore harm to animals, drawing from criminology, sociology, law, and philosophy.

Children and the Criminal Justice System – This module presents academic research, knowledge, and understanding in an accessible way to better equip you to explore and discuss contemporary issues for children and the criminal justice system across community and custody contexts.

Genocides, Mass Atrocities, and Hate Crime – This module explores a range of genocides and mass atrocities (where genocidal-type actions have taken place but have not been legally defined as genocide, or where killings have occurred along identity-based divisions). You will examine the issues around defining genocide and what this means in terms of prevention, intervention, and justice. Theoretical frameworks underpinning genocides, mass atrocities, and hate crime will be explored, helping you develop the skills to explain complex events accurately while avoiding oversimplification. You will also gain an understanding of the societal, political, and legal movements that enable genocides and mass atrocities, linking these to hate crime at various levels.

Introduction to Probation – This module explores what probation is and its role within the wider criminal justice system. You will examine the aims and objectives of the probation service, its organisational structures, and its roles in rehabilitation, risk management, and public protection. You will also reflect on the ethical and value-based debates within probation and how these impact practice. The historical context of probation will be covered alongside contemporary developments, effective practice, and inter-agency collaboration, as well as discussions on power, diversity, and discrimination in probation work.

Restorative Justice in Practice – This module is relevant if you are interested in working with offenders and/or victims in a community justice setting. It explores the origins and applications of Restorative Justice and the critical theoretical analysis that follows. While some focus is on victim impact, you will also consider offender rehabilitation and its role in modern criminal justice systems that centre victims’ needs. A practical approach will be taken to develop key skills required for supporting both victims and offenders. The module will also examine the role of Restorative Justice facilitators, offender managers, and victim caseworkers.

Drugs, Crime, and Society – This module explores the relationship between alcohol and other drugs (AOD) and crime. The aim is to provide an understanding of how UK and international drug policies, localised drug usage, and the international trade in both legal and illegal drugs are connected. The module consists of three sections:

1. AOD in Context – Covers the socio-cultural history of AODs, their historical use in different societies, and the geopolitical forces shaping the alcohol and drug industries.
2. AOD Use Theory & Policy – Examines critical theories, policy debates, and the regulation/criminalisation of drugs in the UK, as well as societal perceptions of AOD users and AOD-related criminality.
3. Harms and Management of AOD Use – Investigates how society treats and manages offenders with AOD use disorders, including debates around prohibition, decriminalisation, and legalisation, and whether problematic AOD use should be considered a criminal justice or public health issue.

The range of elective modules available is subject to change and depends on the number of enrolled students. Some modules may be withdrawn without prior notice due to limited enrolment.

A 10,000-word structured piece of academic writing at Level 6, based on a research study of your choice. Your dissertation should contribute to evidence-based policing and the investigation of crime. 

This is the second part of the linked module that examines concepts, debates, and decision-making around key issues within four themes: policing 21st-century UK, policing vulnerable groups, doing policing, and microscope on policing. 

Building on the second-year module, this course significantly expands your ability to make management-level decisions, apply critical thinking, and develop problem-solving skills within an investigative mindset. You will engage in the investigation and management of major crime, applying the skills and knowledge acquired in the second year. 

This module considers the development and theoretical context of multi-agency working and its implications for local community initiatives, public protection, and wider partnership collaboration. It also explores local, national, and international investigative mechanisms, highlighting the challenges associated with a multi-agency approach. You will examine organisational and political cultures and the differences in criminal justice systems and processes at an international level.