Sociology and Criminology
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Academic Year of Entry:
2023/24
(MA) Master of Arts
Sociology and Criminology
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Sociology and Criminology
Colchester Campus
Masters
Full-time or part-time
MA L31824
10/05/2023
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
<A 2:2 degree, or international equivalent, in a social science or Humanities subject or, another discipline which must include at least two humanities or social science modules which can include the research project/dissertation).
.
Applications from students with a degree below a 2:2 or equivalent or a non-social sciences degree will be considered dependent on any relevant professional or voluntary experience, previous modules studied and/or personal statement.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
If English is not your first language, we require IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum component score of 6.0
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
Prof Benjamin Bradford
Professor
University College London
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
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| 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. |
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 knowledge of current debates and theoretical perspectives in Sociology and Criminology.
- To enable students to critically evaluate current theoretical work in Sociology and Criminology.
- To provide students with advanced knowledge of key theoretical traditions in Criminology.
- To develop students' capacity for independent, critical and creative thinking with respect to the production of original sociological research
- To enable students to integrate philosophical and theoretical concepts with methodological perspectives, empirical data and analysis.
- To enable students to develop knowledge and skills to design and conduct independent research.
- To provide the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills through independent, self-directed learning.
- To enable students to enhance their intellectual capabilities, sociological, and generic skills in preparation for further academic and/or the professional work.
Postgraduate Diplomas are identical to those for MA Schemes with the exception of the Learning Outcomes of the Dissertation. Diploma Students do not write a dissertation.
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 advanced knowledge of the intellectual foundations of sociological and criminological debate
A2: A systematic awareness of the latest theoretical developments in sociology and criminology
A3: An ability to critically evaluate current research and advanced scholarship in sociology and criminology
A4: An advanced comprehension of the principles of research design and strategy, such as the formulation of research problems and appreciation of alternative approaches to research
A5: A critical understanding of the relationships between sociological and criminological theory and empirical research
A6: An understanding of a range of qualitative and quantitative methods and skills
A7: An appreciation of the centrality of research questions to sociological and criminological enquiry
A8: A practical understanding of how to address the ethical and political dimensions of research
A9: A critical understanding of the significance of competing epistemological and ontological positions for sociological research
A10: In depth knowledge of a chosen field through independent original research
Learning methods
The course is designed to provide an understanding of contemporary sociological and criminological theories and the philosophical positions underpinning them (A1, A2, A5 and A8).
It also aims to give an understanding of methodological approaches to research in the field (A4, A5, A6, A7, A8 and A10).
These aims are delivered in Contemporary Debates (SC901), Formative Debates in Criminology (SC555), and in the core module, Sociological Research Design (SC905).
A specialised knowledge of a particular method of research will be provided by a constrained methods option in which students are asked to choose from four methods modules.
The core modules SC901 and SC555 are designed to provide students with the knowledge and understanding outlined in A1 and A9.
SC901, SC555 and SC905 all provide the outcomes A5 and A10, and together with the constrained methods option, they also provide the outcome A7.
SC905 and the constrained methods option provide the outcomes A6 and A10.
The outcome A4 is provided by SC905. Modules are delivered through a combination of lectures and seminars, and student learning also takes place through the work undertaken in preparing for essay work and other forms of assessment.
A broad but detailed range of philosophical and theoretical positions are outlined in the lectures in a clear and structured manner, mapping the field of contemporary social and sociological theory and the major positions in the philosophy of the social sciences.
SC905 is designed to develop students advanced understanding of epistemological traditions and the process and logic of research design, and to provide students with the capabilities to develop their own research project through the dissertation.
The latter is enhanced in a more specialised manner through the constrained methods option.
The range of options modules within the Sociology Department allows students to study substantive bodies of knowledge germane to their own particular interests and also familiarises them with the issue specific nature of many conceptual and methodological issues.
Assessment methods
Outcomes A1 to A10 are assessed through coursework.
In addition, the assessed work for all MA students includes a dissertation, which assesses at least 9 of the stated aims, and all 10 in the case of dissertations involving a research project that engages with empirical evidence.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
Learning methods
Assessment methods
C: Practical skills
Learning methods
Assessment methods
D: Key skills
Learning methods
Assessment methods
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.