Criminology and the Media (Including Placement Year)

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Academic Year of Entry: 2023/24
Course overview
(BA) Bachelor of Arts
Criminology and the Media (Including Placement Year)
Withdrawn
University of Essex
University of Essex
Sociology and Criminology
Colchester Campus
Honours Degree
Full-time
Sociology
BA MP94
10/05/2023

Details

Professional accreditation

None

Admission criteria

A-levels: ABB

BTEC: DDD, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided.

IB: 32 points or three Higher Level certificates with 655.
We are also happy to consider a combination of separate IB Diploma Programme Courses (formerly certificates) at both Higher and Standard Level. Exact offer levels will vary depending on the range of subjects being taken at higher and standard level, and the course applied for.
We can also consider combinations with BTECs or other qualifications in the Career-related programme – the acceptability of BTECs and other qualifications depends on the subject studied, advice on acceptability can be provided. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information.

Access to HE Diploma: 15 Level 3 credits at Distinction and 30 level 3 credits at Merit, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided.

T-levels: Distinction, depending on subject studied -advice on acceptability can be provided.

For courses with Counselling skills, please note that a satisfactory enhanced DBS check will be required prior to starting any placement(s) for this course. This will be organised by the University. A satisfactory Overseas Criminal Record Check/Local Police Certificate is also required, in addition to a DBS Check, where you have lived outside of the UK in the last 5 years for 6 months or more.

What if I don’t achieve the grades I hoped?

If your final grades are not as high as you had hoped, the good news is you may still be able to secure a place with us on a course which includes a foundation year. Visit our undergraduate application information page for more details.

What if I have a non-traditional academic background?
Don’t worry. To gain a deeper knowledge of your course suitability, we will look at your educational and employment history, together with your personal statement and reference.

You may be considered for entry into Year 1 of your chosen course. Alternatively, some UK and EU applicants may be considered for Essex Pathways, an additional year of study (known as a foundation year/year 0) helping students gain the necessary skills and knowledge in order to succeed on their chosen course. You can find a list of Essex Pathways courses and entry requirements here

If you are a mature student, further information is here

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code

English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall. Different requirements apply for second year entry, and specified component grades are also required for applicants who require a visa to study in the UK.

Other English language qualifications may be acceptable so please contact us for further details. If we accept the English component of an international qualification then it will be included in the information given about the academic levels listed above. Please note that date restrictions may apply to some English language qualifications

If you are an international student requiring a visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.

If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.

Additional Notes

If you’re an international student, but do not meet the English language or academic requirements for direct admission to this degree, you could prepare and gain entry through a pathway course. Find out more about opportunities available to you at the University of Essex International College here.

Course qualifiers

A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).

  • Applied Quantitative Methods: In order to be eligible for the AQM qualifier, you must successfully complete the following modules: Year One: SC101 – (30 credits) Researching Social Life I Year Two: SC202 - (15 credits) Analysing Social Life SC208 – (15 credits) Crime and Inequality Across the Life Course Final Year: SC385 – (30 credits) Modelling Crime and Society SC830 – (30 credits) Quantitative Research Project Recommended modules for the pathway: The following modules are recommended options but are not considered essential in passing the pathway: Year Two: GV205 (15 credits) Measuring Public Opinion (requires GV207) GV207 (15 credits) Quantitative Political Analysis SC213 (30 credits) Social Psychology: Self and Interaction SC207 (30 credits) Social Data Science: Code, Text and Networks Final Year: Please note that the following two modules do not run every year. SC308 (15 credits) Race, Ethnicity and Migration SC338 (15 credits) Religion in Modern and Post Modern Societies

Rules of assessment

Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.

Additional notes

None

External examiners

External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment. External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course. They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards. External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.

Key

Core You must take this module.
You must pass this module. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options You can choose which module to study.
You must pass this module. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory You must take this module.
There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the degree if you fail.
Compulsory with Options You can choose which module to study.
There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the degree if you fail.
Optional You can choose which module to study.
There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the degree if you fail.

Year 1 - 2023/24

Component Number Module Code Module Title Status Min Credits Max Credits
01  SC101-4-FY-CO  Researching Social Life I  Core  30  30 
02  SC106-4-FY-CO  Media, Culture and Society  Core  30  30 
03  SC111-4-FY-CO  The Sociological Imagination  Core  30  30 
04  SC104-4-FY-CO  Introduction to Crime, Law and Society  Compulsory  30  30 

Year 2 - 2024/25

Component Number Module Code Module Title Status Min Credits Max Credits
01  SC203-5-FY-CO  Researching Social Life II  Compulsory  30  30 
02  SC224-5-FY-CO  Digital Society  Compulsory  30  30 
03  SC204-5-FY-CO  Sociology of Crime and Control  Compulsory  30  30 
04    2nd year spring term Sociology option from list  Optional  30  30 

Exit awards

A module is given one of the following statuses: 'core' – meaning it must be taken and passed; 'compulsory' – meaning it must be taken; or 'optional' – meaning that students can choose the module from a designated list. The rules of assessment may allow for limited condonement of fails in 'compulsory' or 'optional' modules, but 'core' modules cannot be failed. The status of the module may be different in any exit awards which are available for the course. Exam Boards will consider students' eligibility for an exit award if they fail the main award or do not complete their studies.

Programme aims

1. To provide students with an understanding of the distinctive character of criminological thinking (B).
2. To provide students with a knowledge of the main theoretical traditions of criminology (B).
3. To provide students with knowledge of selected theoretical traditions in media and cultural studies.
4. To provide students with an understanding of research methods in criminology, sociology and media and cultural studies (B).
5. To develop student's capacity for critical enquiry, argument and analysis.
6. To develop student's capacity for independent learning.
7. To provide students with the knowledge and skills to enable them to proceed to further study and research.

Reference to the QAA Benchmarks for Criminology are indicated by the letter B.

Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods

On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:

A: Knowledge and understanding

A1: An understanding of the relationships between individuals, groups and social and cultural institutions (b)

A2: An understanding of social context, culture, social diversity and cultural and social change (b)

A3: A knowledge of key criminological concepts and theories

A4: A knowledge of the relationship between theory, concepts and substantive issues (b)

A5: A knowledge of the principles of research design and the main approaches to data collection (b)

A6: An understanding of the analysis and interpretation of empirical data (b)

A7: A knowledge of the epistemological, ethical and political dimensions of research in criminology and social psychology (b)

A8: A knowledge of the intellectual foundations of media and cultural studies

A9: A knowledge of key concepts and theories in media and cultural studies

Learning methods

The Department uses lectures to present material - ideas, data and arguments- in a clear and structured manner using examples, mapping the field and the contours of debates.

Lectures are also used to stimulate students interest in the area under discussion.

In each Module the issues and arguments covered in lectures are explored further through weekly classes or workshops for which students have to prepare.

The curriculum is designed to involve clear progression between the foundational work in the first year and the subsequent compulsory Modules.

In particular there is a strong emphasis on developing students theoretical understanding of criminological work and cultual analysis through the progressive structuring of the material in SC104/SC242/SC304; in SC106, SC224/Sc364 and in SC111/SC203.

Their criminological and cultural analysis knowledge and understanding is further enhanced by the work that they do for their options.

Classes, and preparation for classes, provide the opportunity for students to develop their knowledge and understanding of the content of the Modules.

In addition student learning takes place through the work they do preparing essays and assignments.

In the first year on SC104 students are required to produce assignments based on selected empirical studies in criminology.

Students have to produce a glossary of sociological concepts and a sociological journal on a topic of their choice for SC111 and have a required examination question on key concepts.

SC104 and SC111 also specifically introduce students to examples of ongoing research in the Department.

In the second-year Module SC203 students gain knowledge of research methods through workshops and small groups, in the context of preparation for the final year project.

In SC224 students develop their skills in cultural analysis.

In the third year Module SC304, there is a particular focus on reading key criminological texts and analysing a variety of crime texts (in literature, film and television).

SC364 develops students understanding of the histories of media forms and insitutions and ways of understanding cultural change.

In their third year all students must carry out independent work for a research project (SC831) for which they receive some individual supervision.

Assessment methods

Outcomes A1 to A10 are assessed through Modulework and unseen written examinations.

Modulework includes assessed oral presentations, essays, assignments, criminological journals, and a research proposal.

In addition, the assessed work for all third year students includes a research project

B: Intellectual and cognitive skills

B1: An ability to understand, summarise and critically assess criminological work (b)

B2: An ability to compare competing theories and explanations (b)

B3: An ability to develop a reasoned argument

B4: An ability to formulate sociological questions

B5: An ability to assemble, evaluate and interpret evidence (b)

B6: An ability to understand, summarise and critically assess media and cultural studies work

Learning methods

Students enhance the above intellectual skills primarily through the work they do for their Modules, although lectures and classes provide a means of teachers demonstrating these skills.

Preparation for classes and class presentations involve the reading, interpretation and evaluation of criminological and cultural analysis texts and the collection and evaluation of empirical data.

Class tutors provide feedback on class presentations and contributions to classes through comment and discussion.

Similarly the preparation of essays and other assignments also develop the listed intellectual skills.

Students are provided with feedback on all assessed work and this is crucial to their intellectual development.

Their work for the first, second and third-year journals and the third year research project is also vital to the Departments learning and teaching strategy for this degree.

Assessment methods

Assessment Methods Outcomes B1 toB6 are assessed by Module work and exam.

B1 and B2 are assessed through essays, assignments, journals, oral presentations and unseen written examinations for SC104, SC242 and SC304 and Sc106, SC224 and SC364.

Not all assignments require the evaluation and interpretation of empirical evidence (B6) though many do, but these skills are specifically assessed in some of the assignments for SC203.

On all Modules students are required to marshal material in order to expound an argument.

C: Practical skills

Learning methods

In the first year assignments cover tasks such as producing a bibliography on a sociological topic, producing a glossary, describing and evaluating a sociological text and producing a sociological journal.

In addition students do an employability module which consists of a work placement or volunteering, reflections on which inform career decision making.

Throughout the three years of the degree practical skills are developed through preparation for classes, preparing essays and other assessed assignments, giving presentations and doing written examinations.

In SC101, students carry out an observational study and SC111 requires students to produce a journal which demonstrates reflexive awareness in interpreting sociological material.

The work for SC 201 includes the detailed examination and interpretation of key sociological texts and in SC203 students frame a research proposal and select the appropriate research methods.

In addition the third year project for SC831 is particularly valuable in developing students practical sociological skills.

Some of these skills are further developed through the work students do for their optional courses.

Students receive detailed feedback on all their coursework and presentations.

Study skills advice and training is available from the Student Support Officer in the Resource Room, which is dedicated to this purpose.

Assessment methods

Skill C1 is specifically assessed in the first year SC111 and SC104 assignments, but also forms part of the assessment of almost every piece of assessed Modulework.

Skills C2 and C3 are assessed in the majority of pieces of assessed Modulework and written examinations.

C4 and C5 are assessed in the Module assignments for SC203.

C4 is assessed in SC203 and in the research project (SC831), C5 in the journal for SC111 and in Module assignments for SC203.

C6 is assessed in SC203 and in the research project (SC831), and C7 in a Module assignment for SC203.

D: Key skills

D1: An ability to present ideas and evidence to others both orally and in writing in a clear and concise manner

D2: An ability to collect and present materials using information technology

D3: An ability to read, interpret and draw inferences from statistics, and an ability to carry out simple statistical calculations

D4: A knowledge of the intellectual foundations of sociology

D5: An ability to plan work and manage time, and an ability to reflect on their own work and respond constructively to the comments of others

Learning methods

Generic skills are taught and learned throughout the degree through a range of strategies, for example, requiring students to give oral presentations, through giving them specific assignments such as carrying bibliographic and web searches, through specific assignments requiring numerical skills, and through class discussion and class and essay preparation.

Students have the opportunity to discuss essay plans with staff and are given clear deadlines for their work which they must meet.

They are given feedback on all their Modulework and are encouraged to reflect and improve upon their work.

Students also have the opportunity to develop skills in working in groups through their participation in the classes for every Module.

Assessment methods

Communication skills are assessed throughout the degree through continuous assessed Modulework (including oral presentation) and examinations.

IT skills are a component in the evaluation of most assessed work which require bibliographic and web searches, but there is a particular focus on them in assessments such as the sociological and criminological journals and in the literature review assignment for SC203.

Numeracy skills are assessed in the assignments for SC104, which include interpretation of crime statistics, and in SC203, which includes the computer application of statistical procedures.

Problem solving skills are assessed in almost all assignments.

Since the curriculum is structured in a progressive manner, students skills in improving learning and performance are also assessed through the related structured progression of formal assessed work.


Note

The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include a change of law or regulatory requirements, industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key personnel, change in government policy, or withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications.

The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.

Contact

If you are thinking of studying at Essex and have questions about the course, please contact Undergraduate Admissions by emailing admit@essex.ac.uk, or Postgraduate Admissions by emailing pgadmit@essex.ac.uk.

If you're a current student and have questions about your course or specific modules, please contact your department.

If you think there might be an error on this page, please contact the Course Records Team by emailing crt@essex.ac.uk.