Criminology and Sociology with a Year in Industry

Our Department of Law and Criminology has an intellectually challenging approach to research and education. Studying Criminology and Sociology at Royal Holloway means that you will learn from internationally renowned experts who will share their research and experience so that you gain invaluable skills, such as research and data analysis, which are highly sought after by employers.

How does crime arise, and how does society deal with it? On this course you will explore issues of criminal behaviour, punishment and rehabilitation strategies while also examining the social forces that affect individuals and impact on their behaviour. Throughout the course you will be encouraged to focus on the causes of crime and the workings of the criminal justice system, and to understand a range of social problems and policy issues.

Our balanced approach to research and teaching guarantees high quality teaching from subject leaders, cutting edge materials and intellectually challenging debates. You will receive individual attention and flexibility to acquire expertise within a specialist field, such as: youth and crime, war and terrorism, restorative justice and forensic psychology. In the final year you will complete a dissertation on a related topic of your choice.

• Develop a sound and extensive knowledge base in criminology and sociology.

• Trained in research techniques.

• Understand complex social problems.

• Explore and evaluate policing practices and development.

• Develop critical and independent thinking.

Course Modules

Year 1

• Criminal Justice System

• Introduction to Criminology

• Introduction to Sociology

• Social Problems and Social Policy

• Academic Integrity

Year 2

• Key Perspectives and Debates in Criminology

• Research Methods for Social Scientists

• Sociology of Contemporary Society

Year 3

• Year in Industry

Year 4

• Dissertation

Optional Modules

Below is a taster of some of the exciting optional modules that students on the course could choose from during this academic year. Please be aware these do change over time, and optional modules may be withdrawn or new ones added.

Year 1

• All modules are core

Year 2

• Gender and Society

• Madness and Society

• The Digital Society

• Violent Crime - Sociological and Psychological Perspectives

• Youth in Society: The Sociology of Youth & Youth Culture

• Key Perspectives and Debates in Criminology

• Research Methods for Social Scientists

• Criminologists in Action

• Sociology of the Family

• Crime and the Law

• Youth and Crime

Year 4

• Crime and Literature

• Crime, Media and Culture

• Drugs, Crime and Society

• Housing and Homelessness

• Sentencing and Penal Policy

• Sociology of Health and Illness

• Terrorism Studies Part 1

• Race, Crime and Justice

• Criminologists in Action

• Cybercrime

• Lost in Music: The Sociology of Popular Music

• Terrorism Studies Part 2

• Youth in Society: Culture, Subculture & Transgression

• Children, Society and Risk

• Crimes of the Powerful

• Gender, Sexuality and Crime

• Interpersonal violence and harm

• Madness and Society

• Perspectives on Ageing and an Ageing Society

• Policing Turning Points: Scandals and Reform

• Prisons

• Race, Ethnicity and Migration

• Victims and Witnesses

https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/undergraduate/law-and-criminology/criminology-and-sociology-with-a-year-in-industry/

The course is taught mainly through lectures, seminars and small group tutorials. Lectures provide a broad introduction to the subject matter and seminar groups allow an active exchange of ideas with your tutor and other students. Outside of scheduled teaching sessions, students work independently and collaboratively on researching topics in preparation for seminar discussions.

Course units are assessed by a combination of essays, oral presentations, end of year exams and, in the third year, an independent dissertation.