s PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION Final PART 1: COURSE SUMMARY INFORMATION Course summary Final award Intermediate award Course status Awarding body Faculty School Location of study/ campus Partner institution(s) BA (Hons) Criminology and Sociology BA Criminology and Sociology Dip HE Criminology and Sociology Cert HE Criminology and Sociology Validated University of Brighton Health and Social Science School of Applied Social Science Falmer Name of institution Host department Course status 1. SELECT 2. 3. Admissions Admissions agency Entry requirements Include any progression opportunities into the course. Start date (mmm-yy) Normally September Mode of study UCAS Check the University's website for current entry requirements A-Levels: BBB. Applicants with only 2 full A-Levels or a double award will be considered on an individual basis. International Baccalaureate: 32 points QAA accredited Access course: pass acceptable with at least 45 credits at level 3 and 18 credits at Merit or above. BTEC Requirements: DDM GCSE (minimum grade C): at least 3 subjects including English language and mathematics or a science. Foundation Degree/HND: direct to year 2 providing content is relevant. For applicants not previously taught and examined in English: IELTS 6.0 overall, 6.0 in writing and a minimum of 5.5 in the other elements. Progression from UBIC Foundation certificate (Social science pathway) at 50% pass and 60% in English. Sep-18 Mode of study Duration of study (standard) Maximum registration period Page 1 of 16
Full-time 3 years 8 years Part-time Other: 6 years 8 years Sandwich Select Select Distance Select Select Course codes/categories UCAS code Contacts Course Leader (or Course Development Leader) Admissions Tutor Examination and Assessment LM39 Matt Follett Dan Burrows Name Place of work Date tenure expires External Examiner(s) Dr Ian Mckim Head of Criminology University of South Wales 30/09/19 Examination Board(s) (AEB/CEB) SASS UG programme AEB SASS UG programme CEB Approval and review Approval date Review date Validation Feb 2013 1 Feb 2018 2 Programme Specification Sep 2013 3 Feb 2018 4 Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body 1 (if applicable): Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body 2 (if applicable): Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body 3 (if applicable): 5 1 Date of original validation. 2 Date of most recent periodic review (normally academic year of validation + 5 years). 3 Month and year this version of the programme specification was approved (normally September). 4 Date programme specification will be reviewed (normally approval date + 1 year). If programme specification is applicable to a particular cohort, please state here. 5 Date of most recent review by accrediting/ approving external body. Page 2 of 16
PART 2: COURSE DETAILS AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES Aims The aims of the course are: 1. To provide a combined programme of study in criminology and sociology to honours degree level through which students can develop their analytical and critical capacities and apply these to their increasing knowledge and understanding of criminology and sociology. 2. To furnish students with a critical awareness of social structures, social divisions, and social change in order to enable them to appreciate their influence on the form and function of the social world and on concepts of crime, deviance, and justice. 3. To equip students with criminological and sociological theories and perspectives so as to enable them to engage critically in debates about social phenomena (including crime) and the foundational principles of the disciplines of criminology and sociology. 4. To provide students with skills to enable them to critically evaluate both historical and contemporary trends in crime causation, victimization, crime prevention and crime management and situate these within contexts offered by competing social science disciplines. 5. To develop the ability of students to assess, and their knowledge of, social structures, social divisions, social movements, conflict and change in historical, global and local contexts. 6. To enable students to gain skills in social research and have a practical understanding of the nature and appropriate use of research strategies and methods in developing criminological and sociological knowledge. 7. To provide students with a sound knowledge base and vocationally relevant transferable skills in fields relating especially to criminology and sociology. Learning outcomes The outcomes of the main award provide information about how the primary aims are demonstrated by students following the course. These are mapped to external reference points where appropriate 6. Knowledge and theory 1. The roles and responsibilities of the key institutions within the UK criminal justice system (SS427, SS539, SS616). 2. Social inequalities and divisions; race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, age, disability (SS424, SS430, SS519, SS520, SS611, SS539, SS616). 3. The impact of contemporary social change on individuals, groups, institutions in terms of social conflict, divisions and inequalities, and policies to combat these (SS422, SS424, SS519, SS520, SS605, SS611, SS629/SS603, SS635, SS660). 4. The ways in which sociological concepts such as social exclusion, social justice, race and gender inequality, identity and diversity can be used in criminological analysis (SS424, SS422, SS430, SS425, SS427, SS519, SS520, SS539, SS605, SS611, SS616, SS635). 5. Traditional and contemporary sociological theories, concepts and methods and the role of cultural processes in sociological analysis as 6 Please refer to Course Development and Review Handbook or QAA website for details. Page 3 of 16
they have developed within the context of general social science (SS422, SS424, SS430, SS519, SS520, SS605, SS611). 6. Theoretical perspectives and contemporary debates in criminology (SS425, SS427, SS541,SS562, SS563, SS539, SS616, SS635, SS660). 7. Theoretical perspectives and contemporary debates in sociology (SS422, SS424, SS430, SS519, SS520, SS605, SS611). 8. How sociological concepts, theories and approaches apply, in particular, to issues concerning deviance, criminalization, victimization, power and social control (SS425, SS427, SS523, SS539, SS616 SS635). 9. The preoccupation with crime, disorder and victimisation in contemporary societies and the limits of legal/criminal justice interventions into the social problem of crime (SS425, SS427, SS430, SS635, SS563, SS616, SS659,SS660). 10. The contexts, strengths and weaknesses of UK orientations to crime and criminal justice (including its criminal justice policies) through comparison with developments in criminal justice policies and systems in other selected cultures and societies (SS539, SS635). 11. Social science methodology, key sources of data and of research methods for collecting and analysing quantitative and qualitative data (SS414, SS427, SS530, SS605, SS603, SS629). Skills Includes intellectual skills (i.e. generic skills relating to academic study, problem solving, evaluation, research etc.) and professional/ practical skills. Intellectual Skills The ability to: 1. Critically engage in debates about criminological and social issues by reference to contrasting theories and perspectives (SS427, SS425, SS430, SS5, SS519, SS520, SS6, SS635, SS629, SS603, SS605, SS539, SS616, SS611, SS635, SS659, SS660). 2. Critically assess the strengths and weaknesses of criminological and sociological concepts, theories and perspectives (SS427, SS425, SS519, SS562, SS629, SS605, SS611, SS635, SS616). 3. Critically evaluate criminal justice, crime prevention, sentencing and penal policies, appreciating the relevance of socio-economic, political and ideological factors and wider understandings of justice (SS424, SS427, SS430, SS519, SS520, SS539, SS611, SS616). 4. Identify a topic relevant to criminology and/or sociology, identify and address the ethical issues, investigate it by seeking out and using relevant data, research publications and other sources and to present the findings, using reasoned argument to draw clear conclusions (SS562, SS530, SS603, SS629). Transferable skills The ability to: 1. Read and interpret complex texts closely, critically and creatively (all modules, but especially SS427, SS562, SS629). Page 4 of 16
2. Communicate ideas and arguments effectively, both verbally and in writing (all modules, but especially SS530, SS603, SS629). 3. Learn and study independently, to self-manage work with minimal supervision, and to reflect on academic work (all modules, but especially SS530, SS603, SS629). 4. Work effectively in organisations, including: self-motivation; integrity; interpersonal and group working skills (all modules, but especially SS526). 5. Use information technology to word-process, display data in graphs and diagrams, analyse quantitative data, communicate via email, obtain information from the internet and conduct searches of electronic databases (all modules, but especially SS414, SS530, SS603, SS629). QAA subject benchmark statement (where applicable) 7 During the development and revision of this programme we have consulted the latest edition of the QAA subject benchmarks for Criminology and Sociology ( QAA Criminology Benchmark standards and http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/publications/documents/sbs-sociologyconsultation-16.pdf ) drawing on them as much is a feasible in the preparation of a joint programme, which must necessarily combine only selected elements of the partner disciplines. PROFESSIONAL, STATUTORY AND REGULATORY BODIES (where applicable) Where a course is accredited by a PSRB, full details of how the course meets external requirements, and what students are required to undertake, are included. LEARNING AND TEACHING Learning and teaching methods This section sets out the primary learning and teaching methods, including total learning hours and any specific requirements in terms of practical/ clinical-based learning. The indicative list of learning and teaching methods includes information on the proportion of the course delivered by each method and details where a particular method relates to a particular element of the course. The primary learning and teaching methods, other than guided independent study, include Induction Lectures Seminars Workshops Student presentations Learning groups Independent learning activities Personal tutorial support (in person and by email) Individual and group tutorial supervision Research and personal development activities Virtual learning environment (studentcentral) Work-place supervision 7 Please refer to the QAA website for details. Page 5 of 16
Each 20 credit module is designed to encompass 200 hours of student learning activity. The programme is designed to create independent learners who will use the opportunities afforded by the degree to analyse their own learning needs. At level 4 the creation of independent learners is fostered by a coordinated academic skills development programme embedded in all Level 4 modules. The development of different skills in different modules is specified in the relevant module outlines. An Academic Skills Coordinator will coordinate this academic skills development effort across Level 4 modules. Thereafter, skills development and the development of independent learners continue as integral aspects of Level 5 and 6 modules. IT skills are verified and developed in a formative component of SS430 during which students IT competences are tested. The personal tutoring system supports students in their learning at Level 4 through a programme of regular, purposeful small group meetings with personal tutors. This will be coordinated by a Personal Tutoring Coordinator. The typical pattern of learning and teaching on each module is a weekly lecture plus one or two additional hours of contact time each week. At Level 4, modules have a total of three hours contact per week and this is usually maintained at levels 5 and 6. Certain modules (e.g., SS526 and SS562) have some of their contact every two or three weeks, rather than weekly. The Dissertation at Level 6 begins with regular timetabled lectures during the first semester. This is supplemented by 4 hours of one-to-one supervision for each student across the year. The general intention is to develop students independent learning skills learning during Level 4, and thereafter, encouraging them to manage their time effectively by providing contact in a variety of ways. Types of non-lecture contact vary between modules. Some modules have weekly seminar or workshop groups of 22-28 students in which students undertake activities such as small group work or individual or group presentations. Other modules have one large workshop attended by all students taking the module in which students participate in small group activities, usually with several members of staff present. To ensure that students have opportunities to discuss their learning and academic progress throughout their degree, group and one-to-one meetings with personal tutors occur regularly across all three years and this is supplemented in the final year by the support offered by the tutor allocated to supervise the student s dissertation. In addition, at Level 4, in semester 1, students are given membership of Learning Groups. These are small groups of students (typically five) who are encouraged to work together outside formal contact time. Each Level 4 module in semester 1 gives Learning groups weekly, non assessed assignments to complete. The Groups report back on these assignments in their weekly seminars. Learning and teaching is accorded a high priority within the School. A Learning and Teaching Coordinator supports the work of staff in this area and the School has an Educational Development Research Group that initiates and manages research into learning, teaching and related issues within the School to feed back to SASS tutors, the rest of the University, and the wider educational community. Termly undergraduate teachers meetings facilitate the discussion of learning and teaching issues. Links have been established with the Subject Centres for Social Policy and Social Work (C-SWAP) and for Sociology, Anthropology and Politics (C-SAP). SUPPORT AND INFORMATION Institutional/ University All students benefit from: University induction week Student Handbook: the University and you Course Handbook Extensive library facilities Computer pool rooms E-mail address Welfare service Page 6 of 16
Course-specific Additional support, specifically where courses have nontraditional patterns of delivery (e.g. distance learning and work-based learning) include: Personal tutor for advice and guidance In addition, students on this course benefit from: Please refer to information held in studentcentral. Course Induction Undergraduate Degrees Programme Handbook Module handbooks Career Planning Agreement Support from course leader, module tutors and Student Support and Guidance Tutor ASSESSMENT MATRIX Course Learning Outcome Assessment method Module Number of credits 1: The roles and responsibilities of the key institutions within the UK criminal justice system Essay, summary including visual data, written answers to set questions, study report or written exam, multiple choice exam, SS427, SS539, SS616 60 2: Social inequalities and divisions; race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, age, disability Written assignment, multiple choice exam, poster presentation, book review, essay, critical review, written assignment, study report or written exam, SS424, SS430, SS519, SS520, SS611, SS539, SS616 140 3: The impact of contemporary social change on individuals, groups, institutions in terms of social conflict, divisions and inequalities, and policies to combat these Written assignment, critical review, essay, book review, dissertation, presentation SS422, SS424, SS519, SS520, SS605, SS611, SS629/SS603, SS635, SS660 200 4: The ways in which sociological concepts such as social exclusion, social justice, race and gender inequality, identity and diversity can be used in criminological analysis Critical review, essay, written assignment, multiple choice exam, presentation, poster presentation, summary including visual data or written answers to set questions, study report or written exam, book review SS424, SS422, SS430, SS425, SS427, SS519, SS520, SS539, SS605, SS611, SS616, SS635 240 5: Traditional and contemporary sociological theories, concepts and methods and the role of cultural processes in sociological analysis as they have developed within the context of general social science 6: Theoretical perspectives and contemporary debates in criminology Critical review, essay, multiple choice exam, poster presentation, book review, written assignment Summary including visual data question, study report or written exam, essay, multiple choice exam, presentation, book review SS422, SS424, SS430, SS519, SS520, SS605, SS611 SS425, SS427, SS541,SS562, SS563, SS539, SS616, SS635, SS660 140 180 Page 7 of 16
7: Theoretical perspectives and contemporary debates in sociology 8: How sociological concepts, theories and approaches apply, in particular, to issues concerning deviance, criminalization, victimization, power and social control Critical review, essay, multiple choice exam, poster presentation, book review, written assignment Summary including visual data question, study report, essay, multiple choice exam, presentation, study report or written exam, presentation, essay SS422, SS424, SS430, SS519, SS520, SS605, SS611 140 SS425, SS427, SS539, SS616 SS635 120 9: The preoccupation with crime, disorder and victimisation in contemporary societies and the limits of legal/criminal justice interventions into the social problem of crime Multiple choice exam, presentation, summary including visual data or written answer to set question, study report, essay, multiple choice exam, poster presentation, essay, written assignment SS425, SS427, SS430, SS635 SS563, SS616, SS659,SS660 160 10: The contexts, strengths and weaknesses of UK orientations to crime and criminal justice (including its criminal justice policies) through comparison with developments in criminal justice policies and systems in other selected cultures and societies 11: Social science methodology, key sources of data and of research methods for collecting and analysing quantitative and qualitative data Study report or written exam, multiple choice exam, presentation, essay Written assignment, attendance, summary including visual data question, study report, essay, poster, report, proposal, dissertation SS539, SS635 40 SS414, SS427, SS530, SS605, SS603/SS629 120 12: Critically engage in debates about criminological and social issues by reference to contrasting theories and perspectives Multiple choice exam, presentation, summary including visual data or written answer to set question, study report, essay, poster presentation, book review, critical review, study report or written exam, multiple choice exam, written assignment, study report or written exam presentation, essay, book review, dissertation SS427, SS425, SS430, SS519, SS520, SS635, SS629/SS603, SS605, SS539, SS616, SS611, SS635, SS659, SS660 300 13: Critically assess the strengths and weaknesses of criminological and sociological concepts, theories and perspectives Multiple choice exam, presentation, summary including visual data or written answer to set question, study report, essay, book review, written assignment, presentation, SS427, SS425, SS519, SS562, SS629, SS605, SS611, SS635, SS616 180 Page 8 of 16
14: Critically evaluate criminal justice, crime prevention, sentencing and penal policies, appreciating the relevance of socio-economic, political and ideological factors and wider understandings of justice Written assignment, multiple choice exam, presentation, summary including visual data question, study report, essay, poster presentation, book review, essay, critical review, study report or written exam SS424, SS427, SS430, SS519, SS520, SS539, SS611, SS616). 160 15: Identify a topic relevant to criminology and/or sociology, identify and address the ethical issues, investigate it by seeking out and using relevant data, research publications and other sources and to present the findings, using reasoned argument to draw clear conclusions 16: Read and interpret complex texts closely, critically and creatively Poster, report, proposal, written assignment, dissertation Written assignment, attendance, critical review, essay, multiple choice exam, presentation, summary including visual data question, study report, poster presentation, book review, critical review, portfolio, poster, report, proposal, study report or written exam, dissertation SS562, SS530, SS603 / SS629). All modules 80 440 16: Communicate ideas and arguments effectively, both verbally and in writing 17: Learn and study independently, to self-manage work with minimal supervision, and to reflect on academic work 18: Work effectively in organisations, including: selfmotivation; integrity; interpersonal and group working skills Written assignment, attendance, critical review, essay, multiple choice exam, presentation, summary including visual data question, study report, poster presentation, book review, critical review, portfolio, poster, report, proposal, study report or written exam, dissertation Written assignment, attendance, critical review, essay, multiple choice exam, presentation, summary including visual data question, study report, poster presentation, book review, critical review, portfolio, poster, report, proposal, study report or written exam, dissertation Written assignment, attendance, critical review, essay, multiple choice exam, presentation, summary including visual data question, study report, poster presentation, book review, critical review, portfolio, poster, All modules 440 All modules 440 All modules 440 Page 9 of 16
19: Use information technology to word-process, display data in graphs and diagrams, analyse quantitative data, communicate via email, obtain information from the internet and conduct searches of electronic databases report, proposal, study report or written exam, dissertation Written assignment, attendance, critical review, essay, multiple choice exam, presentation, summary including visual data question, study report, poster presentation, book review, critical review, portfolio, poster, report, proposal, study report or written exam, dissertation All modules 440 Page 10 of 16
PART 3: COURSE SPECIFIC REGULATIONS COURSE STRUCTURE This section includes an outline of the structure of the programme, including stages of study and progression points. Course Leaders may choose to include a structure diagram here. Modules Status: M = Mandatory (modules which must be taken and passed to be eligible for the award) C = Compulsory (modules which must be taken to be eligible for the award) O = Optional (optional modules) A = Additional (modules which must be taken to be eligible for an award accredited by a professional, statutory or regulatory body, including any non-credit bearing modules) Optional modules listed are indicative only and may be subject to change, depending on timetabling and staff availability Level 8 Module code Status Module title Credit 4 SS414 C Introduction to Research Methods 20 4 SS424 C Sociological Imaginations 20 4 SS427 C Introduction to Criminal Justice Studies 20 4 SS422 C Foundations of Sociology 20 4 SS425 C Theories of Crime 20 4 SS430 C Contemporary Social Inequalities 20 5 SS562 O* Inquiries in Crime and Deviance 20 5 SS570 O* Inquiries in Crime and Deviance (for students going on Erasmus exchange) 5 SS519 C Theorising the Social World 20 5 SS520 C Sociology and the Life Course 20 5 SS563 O/C Punishment, Power, and the State 20 5 SS541 O/C Policing and Society 20 5 SS539 C Critical Perspectives on Criminal Justice 20 5 SS529 C* Researching Social and Cultural Life (for students going on Erasmus exchange) 5 SS530 C* Researching Social and Cultural Life 20 5 SS526 O* Community Engagement: Theory into practice 20 6 SS629/ SS603 O/C Dissertation/ Empirical Dissertation Students are required to take SS603 or SS629 6 SS605 C Sociology Topic 1 20 6 SS611 C Sociology Topic 2 20 6 SS659 O/C Critical Addiction Studies 20 6 SS660 O/C Criminology of Borders 20 6 SS635 O/C Global Issues: Crime, Power, Harm 20 6 SS616 C Contemporary Studies in Crime and Justice 1 20 10 10 40 8 All modules have learning outcomes commensurate with the FHEQ levels 0, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. List the level which corresponds with the learning outcomes of each module. Page 11 of 16
* Students going on Erasmus exchange take SS529 in place of SS530, and SS570 in place of SS562 Page 12 of 16
AWARD AND CLASSIFICATION Award type Award* Title Level Eligibility for award Classification of award Final BA (Hons) Total credits 9 Minimum credits 10 Ratio of marks 11 : Class of award Criminology & Sociology 6 Total credit 360 Minimum credit at level of award 90 Intermediate BA Criminology & Sociology 6 Total credit 300 Minimum credit at level of award 60 Intermediate Dip HE Criminology & Sociology 5 Total credit 240 Minimum credit at level of award 90 Intermediate Cert HE Criminology & Sociology 4 Total credit 120 Minimum credit at level of award 90 Select Select Total credit Select Minimum credit at level of award Select *Foundation degrees only Progression routes from award: Levels 5 and 6 (25:75) Levels 5 and 6 (25:75) Level 5 marks Level 4 marks Select Honours degree Select Not applicable Award classifications Mark/ band % Foundation degree Honours degree Postgraduate 12 degree (excludes PGCE and BM BS) 70% - 100% Distinction First (1) Distinction 60% - 69.99% Merit Upper second (2:1) Merit 50% - 59.99% Lower second (2:2) Pass 40% - 49.99% Third (3) Pass Select Select 9 Total number of credits required to be eligible for the award. 10 Minimum number of credits required, at level of award, to be eligible for the award. 11 Algorithm used to determine the classification of the final award (all marks are credit-weighted). For a Masters degree, the mark for the final element (e.g, dissertation) must be in the corresponding class of award. 12 Refers to taught provision: PG Cert, PG Dip, Masters. Page 13 of 16
EXAMINATION AND ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS Please refer to the Course Approval and Review Handbook when completing this section. The examination and assessment regulations for the course should be in accordance with the University s General Examination and Assessment Regulations for Taught Courses (available from staffcentral or studentcentral). Specific regulations which materially affect assessment, progression and award on the course e.g. Where referrals or repeat of modules are not permitted in line with the University s General Examination and Assessment Regulations for Taught Courses. Exceptions required by PSRB These require the approval of the Chair of the Academic Board General Examination and Assessment Regulations The course regulations are in accordance with and follow the University's General Examination and Assessment Regulations (GEAR: available from the School of Applied Social Science School Office, Registry, or via studentcentral). On SS414 and the seminar participation component of the assessment can be awarded without the 30% threshold standard being met. This is contrary to GEAR Section B 8.2.2 but is permitted under 8.2.4 which states that students are normally required to achieve the threshold in each assessment task. As is the case with the participation element on other SASS modules, this is an exception to that regulation. Document template revised: 2010 Page 14 of 16
BA (Hons) Criminology & Sociology LEVEL 4 Semester 1 SS427 Criminal Justice Matters SS424 Sociological Imaginations SS430 Contemporary Social Inequalities Semester 2 SS425 Theories of Crime SS422 Foundations of Sociology SS414 Introduction to Social Science Research Methods LEVEL 5 Semester 1m Semester 2 SS539 Critical Perspectives on Criminal Justice SS563 Punishment, Power, and the State Or SS541 Policing SS519 Theorising the Social World SS520 Sociology and the Life Course SS530 Researching Social and Cultural Life SS526 Community Engagement : Theory into Practice OR SS562 Inquiries in Crime and Deviance LEVEL 6 Semester 1 SS616 Contemporary Studies in Crime and Justice SS605 Sociology Topic 1 * SS635 Global Issues: Crime, Power, Harm OR SS629 Document template revised: 2010 Page 15 of 16
SS611 Sociology Topic 2 ** SS660 Criminology of Borders Dissertation Semester 2 OR SS659 Critical Addiction Studies (Criminology) *indicative options-sociology of Religion; Environment and Society; Science, Culture and Society; Sociology of the Body; Mobile Lives, Death and Society (students cannot take same topic twice). **indicative options- Sociology of the Internet; Sociology of Leisure, Sociology of Food, Climate change; Lifestyle Media; Families and Parenting; Childhood and Society (students cannot take same topic twice). Document template revised: 2010 Page 16 of 16