Criminology with Psychology

The Criminology with Psychology degree examines the causes, legal framework and responses to crime, combined with the study of psychology.

It provides students with practical knowledge and transferable skills to become active citizens who critically reflect on, and challenge, established institutions and practices to contribute to their community and build a more just society. It will focus predominantly on the sociology of crime, while also consulting the study of psychology in the areas of philosophy, social policy, law and jurisprudence. This will assist students in developing a critical awareness of contemporary issues in criminology in local, national and global contexts, alongside the development of a holistic approach to criminal justice. Students will have the opportunity to develop a suite of professional and personal skills to enhance their employability including: reflexivity, critical thinking, ethics and professional conduct, alongside theoretical and practical skills to enter a diverse range of career pathways within criminal and social justice roles. The programme provides students with skills to support learning for life through inquisitive and reflective practice, and the confidence to respond to the complexity and ambiguity of social change.

The majority of this course is led by the Criminology team and so is suited to those with a predominant interest in society as a whole – please see the module breakdown for more detail.

Key features

• Learn alongside a skilled team of criminologists actively involved in teaching and research, many of whom have worked within criminal justice or allied fields and have strong links with the British Society of Criminology and the British Sociological Association.

• Study a variety of topics delivered through a block-taught process that encourages active and experiential learning to engage a diverse student population.

• Develop key personal, professional and practical skills that enhance employability upon course completion.

• Gain knowledge and insight into local, national and global criminological contexts from experienced academics working at the edge of criminological research and working to promote SDG16 (for which DMU is the global hub) on Peace, Justice and Stronger Institutions.

• Participate in in-depth learning experiences through our DMU Global programme. Previous trips include the study of state crime at Auschwitz, subcultures in Chicago, and genocide education in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

• Discover your individuality within the field of Criminology by conducting a self-designed research project from beginning to end that channels your creativity and aligns with your own world views

• Benefit from Education 2030, where a simplified ‘block learning’ timetable means you will study one subject at a time and have more time to engage with your learning, receive faster feedback and enjoy a better study-life balance.

FIRST YEAR:
Block 1: Studying at university
Block 2: Principles of social research
Block 3: Applied Psychology
Block 4: Journeys through justice

SECOND YEAR:
Block 1: Explaining criminological issues
Block 2: Communities of justice
Block 3: TBC
Block 4: Researching justice journeys

THIRD YEAR:
Block 1: Planning social research
Block 2: Justice in a globalised world
Block 3: Two optional Psychology modules
Block 4: Final year project

Over the whole programme, there is a varied mix of assessment that incorporates diverse learning styles including: group presentations, case study analysis, reflective essays, essays, multiple choice exams, individual presentations, posters. There will also be a range of formative assessments including weekly knowledge checks through quizzes and similar variations. Moreover, to help students prepare their skills for future assessments in upcoming blocks, teaching activities will include those that connect to future assessments.