Criminology and American Studies (UK Study)

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Academic Year of Entry: 2024/25
Course overview
(BA) Bachelor of Arts
Criminology and American Studies (UK Study)
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Philosophical, Historical, and Interdisciplinary Studies (School of)
Colchester Campus
Honours Degree
Full-time
Area Studies
BA MT26
08/05/2024

Details

Professional accreditation

None

Admission criteria

  • A-levels: BBB - BBC or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels.
  • BTEC: DDM - DMM or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels. The acceptability of BTECs is dependent on subject studied and optional units taken - email ugquery@essex.ac.uk for advice.
  • Combined qualifications on the UCAS tariff: 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A levels or equivalent. Tariff point offers may be made if you are taking a qualification, or mixture of qualifications, from the list on our undergraduate application information page.
  • IB: 30 - 29 points or three Higher Level certificates with 555-554.
  • IB Career-related Programme: We consider combinations of IB Diploma Programme courses with BTECs or other qualifications. Advice on acceptability can be provided, email Undergraduate Admissions.
  • QAA-approved Access to HE Diploma: 6 level 3 credits at Distinction and 39 level 3 credits at Merit, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided, email Undergraduate Admissions.
  • T-levels: We consider T-levels on a case-by-case basis, depending on subject studied. The offer for most courses is Distinction overall. Depending on the course applied for there may be additional requirements, which may include a specific grade in the Core.

Contextual Offers:

We are committed to ensuring that all students with the merit and potential to benefit from an Essex education are supported to do so. For October 2024 entry, if you are a home fee paying student residing in the UK you may be eligible for a Contextual Offer of up to two A-level grades, or equivalent, below our standard conditional offer.
Factors we consider:

  • Applicants from underrepresented groups
  • Applicants progressing from University of Essex Schools Membership schools/colleges
  • Applicants who attend a compulsory admissions interview
  • Applicants who attend an Offer Holder Day at our Colchester or Southend campus

Our contextual offers policy outlines additional circumstances and eligibility criteria.

For further information about what a contextual offer may look like for your specific qualification profile, email ugquery@essex.ac.uk.

If you haven't got the grades you hoped for, have a non-traditional academic background, are a mature student, or have any questions about eligibility for your course, more information can be found on our undergraduate application information page or get in touch with our Undergraduate Admissions Team.

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code

English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall, or specified score in another equivalent test that we accept.

Details of English language requirements, including component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here

If we accept the English component of an international qualification it will be included in the academic levels listed above for the relevant countries.

English language shelf-life

Most English language qualifications have a validity period of 5 years. The validity period of Pearson Test of English, TOEFL and CBSE or CISCE English is 2 years.

If you require a Student visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.

Pre-sessional English courses

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.

Pending English language qualifications

You don’t need to achieve the required level before making your application, but it will be one of the conditions of your offer.

If you cannot find the qualification that you have achieved or are pending, then please email ugquery@essex.ac.uk .

Requirements for second and final year entry

Different requirements apply for second and final year entry, and specified component grades are also required for applicants who require a visa to study in the UK. Details of English language requirements, including UK Visas and Immigration minimum component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here

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

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).

None

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

Staff photo
Dr Kevin Corstorphine

Lecturer

University of Hull

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.

eNROL, the module enrolment system, is now open until Monday 27 January 2025 8:59AM, for students wishing to make changes to their module options.

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 - 2024/25

Component Number Module Code Module Title Status Min Credits Max Credits
01    Option(s) from list  Optional  30  30 
02  SC104-4-FY-CO  Introduction to Crime, Law and Society  Compulsory  30  30 
03  CS111-4-AU-CO  Interdisciplinary Research and Problem-Solving: An Introduction  Compulsory  15  15 
04  SC164-4-SP-CO  Introduction to United States Sociology  Compulsory  15  15 
05  HR106-4-SP-CO  Democracy in Europe and the United States, 1789-1989  Compulsory  15  15 
06  GV110-4-SP-CO  Thinking Like a Social Scientist  Compulsory  15  15 
07  CS107-4-SP-CO  Beyond the BA: Skills for the Next Step  Compulsory 

Year 2 - 2025/26

Component Number Module Code Module Title Status Min Credits Max Credits
01  CS261-5-AU-CO  America and the World  Compulsory  15  15 
02  SC204-5-FY-CO  Sociology of Crime and Control  Compulsory  30  30 
03  SC205-5-FY-CO  Policing, Punishment and Society  Compulsory  30  30 
04    CS200-5-AU or (CS207-5-AU and United States option from list)  Compulsory with Options  15  15 
05    CS241-5-SP or United States option or outside option  Optional  30  30 

Year 3 - 2026/27

Component Number Module Code Module Title Status Min Credits Max Credits
01  SC361-6-SP-CO  American Society: Ethnic Encounters in the Making of the USA  Compulsory  15  15 
02  HR394-6-FY-CO  The United States and the Vietnam War  Compulsory  30  30 
03    SC382-6-AU and/or SC302-6-SP and/or United States option(s) from list  Optional  30  30 
04    CS831-6-FY or CS301-6-FY or (CS315-6-SP and option from list) - CAPSTONE  Compulsory with Options  30  30 
05    CS307-6-AU and/or Sociology option from list  Optional  15  15 

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

  • To provide students with a programme of study with which to acquire a multidisciplinary understanding of the place of crime and criminology in general and in United States society in particular.
  • To provide students with opportunities to acquire a detailed knowledge of the culture, society and politics of the United States in a multidisciplinary framework.
  • To provide students with an understanding of the core concepts of sociological and criminological theories and techniques.
  • To provide students with opportunities to acquire and apply research skills.
  • To develop students' analytical, critical and problem-solving skills.


  • 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: Students will be able to demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of some of the most influential ideas that have informed sociological theories and visions of American society, related to the debates around race, inequality and gender in the United States.

    A2: Students will be able to demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of core concepts of the history of the United States, concerning its origins, development and influence

    A3: Students will be able to demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of key perspectives of the United States in politics, society, art, literature and film.

    A4: Students will be able to demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of some of the major methods used in sociological and criminological research

    A5: Students will be able to demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the problems of, and responses to, crime and criminality within cultural, economic, moral, social and political contexts.

    A6: Students will be able to demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of diverse criminological approaches and key 'schools of thought'.

    A7: Students will be able to demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the significance of cultural representations of crime and disorder to framing the central place of crime in the popular imagination.

    Learning methods

    A1-A7 are acquired through core/compulsory module lectures and classes in Years 1, 2 and 3 and through a course of study followed at a University in the United States in Year 3.

    Assessment methods

    Assessment is by unseen examinations and/or continuous coursework consisting of essays or term papers and occasionally by individual and group presentations.

    A3-A5 are also assessed through the Dissertation, where applicable.

    B: Intellectual and cognitive skills

    B1: Students will be able to use their discipline-based training to think critically and analytically in relation to a number of different academic disciplines

    B2: Students will be able to think, operate and write across disciplinary boundaries and be able to relate and connect ideas, theories, concepts and other material between disciplines.

    B3: Students will be able to apply a range of primary and secondary sources which include written, oral and visual sources in a number of different contexts.

    B4: Students will be able to reason critically, identify, analyse and solve problems, using appropriate methodologies and theories.

    B5: Students will be able to demonstrate and exercise independence of mind and thought.

    Learning methods

    B1-B4 are acquired through classes and seminars where there is emphasis on group discussion.

    Students are expected to do independent research to consolidate classwork.

    B1 and B3 are also acquired through lectures and through feedback on course work.

    Assessment methods

    All these skills are assessed in continuous coursework in all years, in examinations and through the final year Dissertation, where applicable.

    C: Practical skills

    C1: Students will be able to communicate ideas clearly and coherently in a range of disciplines and in a manner appropriate to a variety of target audiences at home and in the United States.

    C2: Students will be able to present written materials using appropriate language, referencing, and other illustrative material as appropriate.

    C3: Students will be able to work independently, write and think under pressure, meet deadlines, manage their own time and workload and demonstrate initiative.

    C4: Students will be able to apply the necessary organisational and cultural skills for living and working abroad.

    C5: Students, where applicable, will be able to collect research materials from diverse sources and fashion these into written theses on selected issues, problems and questions.

    Learning methods

    C1 - C3 are acquired through classes, coursework and preparation for examinations.

    C2, C3 and C5 are acquired through classes, lectures, essays, term papers and further through the optional final year dissertation.

    C4 and C5 are acquired through the guided but relatively independent process of organising and successfully completing a period of living and studying in the United States.

    Assessment methods

    C1 - C3 and C5 are assessed through unseen examinations, coursework essays and term papers in all years, including the period of study abroad and through the final year dissertation, where applicable.
    C4 is assessed through the work of the study abroad period.

    D: Key skills

    D1: Students will be able to present knowledge or an argument in a clear, coherent and relevant manner, work proficiently and effectively in a range of academic contexts and work independently in a different cultural and learning environment

    D2: Students will be able to use a range of appropriate IT to research and present material.

    D3: Students will be able to apply statistical methods to any problem or issue for which data is analysed.

    D4: Students will be able to identify a research problem and apply relevant research methodologies and techniques to resolve it.

    D5: Students will be able to reflect on their own learning, to seek and make use of feedback on their performance, to recognise when further knowledge is required and to undertake the necessary research

    Learning methods

    D1 and D5 skills are acquired through participatory classwork in all years of study.


    Assessment methods

    All key skills are assessed either through coursework or the final year dissertation, where applicable.

    D1 skills are also assessed through examinations.


    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.