Criminology and Criminal Justice

As part of the course you will study the areas of law, forensics, psychology and sociology. This course should to appeal to you if you need to fit studying around other commitments, or if you are looking to take your first step into higher education after a gap of study. It is also ideal if you have no previous knowledge of the subject of Law. This Lancaster University validated foundation degree seeks to equip students with the skills and knowledge to assist with their employability in the Justice Sector.

The course contains five streams in criminal justice, criminal psychology, crime and punishment, reflective practice and criminological research. The teaching on the course seeks to reflect the fast-changing nature of the Justice Sector and its innovative methods for inspiring learning have been commended by the Centre for Sociology, Anthropology and Politics (C-SAP) which is the national Higher Education subject centre for the study of Criminology.

The study of crime requires a multi-disciplinary approach and therefore law, forensics, psychology and sociology are all important subjects on the course. The course's five streams provide a wide learning experience for seeking to understand crime and its treatment by the criminal justice system. The streams also give the opportunity for a student in modules for policing, forensics, offender management and youth offending. The modules are taught in as interactive a way as possible and the use of e-learning is actively promoted. The use of employers and practitioners in delivering the curriculum ensures that the learning is current and relevant to a person seeking to work, or develop in their work in the justice system. The development of skills, in addition to knowledge, is an aim of the course and our experienced and approachable lecturers have a proven track record in delivering a quality learning experience. There is also the opportunity to engage in a Criminal Justice Sector work placement to gain experience of working in the sector. You can get involved in additional activities such as volunteering, guest lectures with key criminal justice representatives as well as trips to prisons, courts and youth offending organisations.

All students take a total of 120 credits per level.

Level 4 modules:

Principles of Criminal Justice
Understanding Criminology
Working with People who have Offended
Policing risk in the Justice Sector
Principles of Criminological Research
Applied Criminal Justice Practice
Level 5 modules (* optional modules):

Modern Criminal Justice
Challenging Behaviour
Penal Regimes*
Sociology of Crime and Deviance
Social Care in Criminal Justice*
Data Analysis for the Justice Sector
Work Based Learning for the Justice Sector
Level 5 options:

Race, Gender and Youth Justice;
Policing and the Police; and
Prison Regimes.
Optional Modules

If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, this may not be offered. If an optional module will not be run, we will advise you as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.

Throughout the course a full range of assessment techniques will be used. You could be assessed by examinations, including open-book examinations, practical assessments, assignments, briefs, essays, presentations (including group presentations), reports and portfolio building.

Each module is formally assessed through, for example, examination, open-book test, individual and group presentation, essay, observation of practice, assessment of course work e.g. portfolio, written report, reflective practice and portfolios of evidence. This formal assessment will count towards your module mark and feedback is usually given within 3 weeks following the submission of your formal submission of work.

Additionally, some lecturers will provide informal feedback, for example, following an examination they may choose to work through the exam paper in a tutorial. It should be noted that feedback is part of the ongoing learning cycle which is not limited to written feedback. Other forms of feedback include one-to-one meetings with a personal tutor, dissertation and project supervision meetings, a lecturer responding to learner questions or responses during topic or situation discussions.

Feedback is intended to help you learn and you are encouraged to discuss it with your module tutor.