Faculty of Social Sciences Programme Specification Programme title: BA (Hons) Applied Criminal Justice Studies Academic Year: 2017/18 Degree Awarding Body: Partner(s), delivery organisation or support provider (if appropriate): Final and interim award(s): Programme accredited by (if appropriate): Programme duration: UCAS code: QAA Subject benchmark statement(s): University of Bradford BA (Honours) [Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) level 6] BA (Ordinary) [Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) level 6] Diploma of Higher Education [Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) level 5] Certificate of Higher Education [Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) level 4] 3 years full-time, 4 years with placement or study abroad M211 Date of Senate Approval: 2002/3 Date last confirmed and/or minor modification approved by Faculty Board Criminology, Social Policy and Administration, Law January 2017 Introduction The aim of this programme is to provide you with the relevant theoretical and empirical knowledge and the ability to understand how these relate to the practice of criminal justice policy in contemporary society. To this end, we seek to ensure the development of skills and knowledge across a range of related disciplines; criminology and criminal justice, forensic science, psychology, law, and social policy. A distinctive feature of the Applied Criminal Justice Studies programme is that it provides you with experiences of a number of different disciplines related to the criminal justice field. You are introduced to different methodologies, different learning styles and different learning practices (for example the vastly different learning and teaching styles, knowledge base and practices in the areas of law, forensic science, psychology and social policy). A large number of the modules are University of Bradford 1
geared towards work-relevant knowledge (e.g. psychological profiling, which is taught by a practitioner). The compulsory work placement in year three is a substantial opportunity to enhance and develop this interdisciplinary knowledge base in a work setting. The programme also aims to prepare you for career paths in a range of careers related to criminal justice. These include work in the police force, probation service, youth justice area, prison service, legal system, victim support, immigration service, and related professions. Some of these professions, e.g. law, probation and psychology, would require a further postgraduate qualification. However, for all such careers you would have been provided with a strong background through the range of disciplines already covered and through the vocational or practice orientation of much of your studies (for example, work placement, forensic science, criminal law, and psychological profiling modules). Programme Aims The programme is intended to: provide you with the relevant theoretical and empirical knowledge and the ability to understand how these relate to the practice of criminal justice policy in contemporary society; ensure the development of skills and knowledge across a range of related disciplines; prepare you for career paths in a range of careers related to criminal justice; provide a supportive, structured environment in which you acquire independent learning skills; confer subject knowledge and understanding, together with discipline skills to enable you to pursue further programmes of study or careers where Social Science and Humanities skills are advantageous; and develop personal transferable skills to enable you to pursue further programmes of study or careers in non-cognate fields. Programme Learning Outcomes To be eligible for the award of Certificate of Higher Education at FHEQ level 4, students will be able to: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 know of the principles and core practices of forensic science, models and theories of psychology, understand the main parameters of UK society and social policy, and of the central features of the history, practice and social context of UK criminal justice policy, have knowledge of criminal justice practice, read across a range of different subject areas; to articulate viewpoints across the range of disciplines covered by the programme, both orally and in writing University of Bradford 2
Additionally, to be eligible for the award of Diploma of Higher Education at FHEQ level 5, students will be able to: LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 understand and discuss the fundamental features of the English legal system and of English criminal law, examine the principles and core practices of forensic science, models and theories of psychology, appraise the main parameters of UK society and social policy, and of the central features of the history, practice and social context of UK criminal justice policy, think knowledgeably about issues in the criminal justice field; to reflect critically on social phenomena and public debates, read widely across a range of different subject areas; to articulate viewpoints across the range of disciplines covered by the programme, both orally and in writing. Additionally, to be eligible for the award of Ordinary Degree of Bachelor at FHEQ level 6, students will be able to: LO10 LO11 LO12 LO13 critically understand and evaluate the fundamental features of the English legal system and of English criminal law, critically examine the principles and core practices of forensic science, models and theories of psychology, critically appraise the main parameters of UK society and social policy, and of the central features of the history, practice and social context of UK criminal justice policy, apply practice and knowledge gained on the programme, when working in a criminal justice setting, Additionally, to be eligible for the award of Honours Degree of Bachelor at FHEQ level 6, students will be able to: LO14 Curriculum Stage 1 FHEQ Level Demonstrate advance learning and study skills in critical and analytical thinking by being able to read widely across a range of different subject areas; to critically articulate viewpoints and carry out analysis across the range of disciplines covered by the programme, both orally and in writing. Module Title Type (Core/ option/ elective) Credits Study Period Module Code 4 Learning Strategies Core 20 1 SAC4002-B 4 Introduction to Forensic and Core 20 1 ARC4006-B Crime Scene Investigation 4 Introduction to Crime and Core 20 1 and 2 SAC4007-B Criminal Justice 4 Global Society: Local Experiences Core 20 1 and 2 SAC4004-B University of Bradford 3
4 State and Society Core 20 2 SAC4005-B 4 Introduction to Sociology Core 20 2 SAC4006-B At the end of stage 1, students will be eligible to exit with the award of Certificate of Higher Education if they have successfully completed at least 120 credits and achieved the award learning outcomes. Stage 2 FHEQ Level Module Title Core/ Option Credits Study Period Module Code 5 Psychological Profiling Core 20 1 SAC5009-B 5 Research and Evaluation Core 20 1 SAC5012-B 5 Dissertation Preparation Core 20 2 SAC5013-B 5 Crime and Law Core 20 2 SAC5008-B 5 Offenders, Punishment and Change Core 20 2 SAC5003-B 5 Youth and Crime Option 20 1 SAC5006-B 5 Crime and the Media Option 20 1 SAC5002-B At the end of stage 2, students will be eligible to exit with the award of Diploma of Higher Education if they have successfully completed at least 240 credits and achieved the award learning outcomes. Stage 3 FHEQ Level Module Title Core/ Option Credits Study Period Module Code 6 Contemporary Criminal Core 20 1 SAC6003-B Justice 6 Work Placement Core 40 1 and 2 SAC6007-D 6 Dissertation (Applied Criminal Justice Studies) 6 International Perspectives on Crime Core 40 1 and SAC6011-D 2 Core 20 2 SAC6005-B Students will be eligible for the award of Honours Degree of Bachelor if they have successfully completed at least 360 credits and achieved the award learning outcomes. Placement and/or Study Abroad This programme provides the option for students to undertake a work placement or period of study abroad between Stages 2 and 3. Students wishing to take this option will be registered for the 4 year programme and will complete module PES5002-Z Study Abroad or PES5001-Z Placement. Alternatively, you may complete 60 credits of agreed level 5 study at a study abroad partner institution approved by your programme leader and the University of Bradford International Office. University of Bradford 4
For further information about study abroad opportunities please refer to http://www.bradford.ac.uk/international/erasmus-and-international-exchanges/ Learning and Teaching Strategy The teaching and learning strategies for this programme take into consideration the learning outcomes as set out above, progression through the levels of study, the nature of the subject, and the need for you to take greater responsibility for your own learning as you progress through the programme. The core modules of the Applied Criminal Justice Studies programme guide you through a range of learning experiences. These include formal lectures, seminar discussions led by Personal Tutors, instruction in using research tools, class exercises and discussion and a major work placement in the third year in a setting relevant to the programme. This varied diet of teaching methods is designed to develop a range of academic skills but also a range of skills transferable to future work. The applied element of the programme places considerable emphasis on such skills and uses tutors from outside the university to bring relevant workplace expertise to the programme. These outside tutors either teach specific modules or are brought in as guest speakers. On the work placement module, outside colleagues are also involved in the assessment and supervision of students. For all modules, our Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment is used to support our work in timetabled sessions. There is also a degree of optionality incorporated in the programme in the second year and through the Dissertation module. Assessment Strategy Assessment is varied and includes formal closed book examinations, essays, report writing, presentations and the writing of a dissertation and placement report that will account for two-thirds of your final year work. As with the teaching techniques, the range of assessments is diverse and reflects the applied nature of the programme. The assessments for Psychological Profiling and the Placement, for example, involve the explicit application of skills used in the workplaces to which many students aspire. The assessments include book reviews, offender profiling, formal exams (seen and unseen), essays, presentations, skills-focussed selfevaluation, use of relevant research technology and two major pieces of in-depth writing (Work Placement and Dissertation). To cope with the wide variety of assessments, staff also incorporate formative assessments for guidance within their modules. Our practice of allocating the same personal tutor for all three years of the programme provides you with consistent support in building on feedback from your assessments. Assessment Regulations This Programme conforms to the standard University Regulations which are available at the following link: http://www.bradford.ac.uk/aqpo/ordinances-and-regulations/ Admission Requirements The University welcomes applications from all potential students and most important in the decision to offer a place is our assessment of a candidate s potential to benefit from their studies and of their ability to succeed on this University of Bradford 5
particular programme. Consideration of applications will be based on a combination of formal academic qualifications and other relevant experience. The minimum entry requirements for the programme are as follows: CCC/240 UCAS points. There are no specific subject requirements at A level. The UCAS tariff applicable may vary and is published here http://www.brad.ac.uk/study/courses/view/?c=applied-criminal-justice-studies-ba-3- years We also accept MMM at BTec Extended Diploma and applications with an Access to Higher Education Diploma that includes 30 Level 3 credits at Merit English language requirements for overseas students are a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 or the equivalent. Recognition of Prior Learning If applicants have prior certificated learning or professional experience which may be equivalent to parts of this programme, the University has procedures to evaluate and recognise this learning in order to provide applicants with exemptions from specified modules or parts of the programme. Minor Modification Schedule Version Number Brief description of Modification Date of Approval (Faculty Board) 1 Amendment to module code following APR in another Faculty. ER 25/4/17 N/A University of Bradford 6