Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

• To foster critical evaluation of both criminological and psychological theory and research, in scholarly and real-life applications.
• To develop systematic and scientific understandings of key and cutting-edge social psychological aspects of mind, behaviour, and experience, as well as criminal justice, policing and control.
• To develop skills of problem-solving through a conceptual and empirically grounded understanding of core criminology and social psychology topics.
• To explain the role of empirical evidence in the creation and testing of theory.
• To use techniques of quantitative and qualitative research and methods for investigating experience and behaviour.
• To support the acquisition of critical thinking and transferable skills through independent research, in pursuit of further training and enhanced employability.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

• The Benchmark Statement for Psychology
• The Benchmark Statement for Criminology
• Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (2008)
• University Learning and Teaching Strategy
• External Examiners’ Reports for BSc Social Psychology and BSc Criminology and Social Policy  

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of

K1. Core topics, theories and debates that offer the ground for conceptualizing the close relationship between  social psychology and criminology and social policy.

K2. Contemporary and historic debates related to the role of biological and social/contextual bases of behaviour in social psychological and criminological theory.

K3. Core issues and controversies related to the role of cognitive and individual differences perspectives in the explanation of social behaviour.

K4. Social, cognitive and linguistic developmental dimensions that influence the behaviour of individuals in a variety of social and policy contexts.

K5. Conceptual and historical issues that underpin the active relationship between social psychological theory and social policy problems.

K6. Key dimensions of designing and conducting empirical projects that demonstrate the relationship between social psychology and criminological theory and data.

K7. The advantages and disadvantages of qualitative and quantitative methods, research design, statistical techniques, and uses of information technology with relevance to both disciplines.

K8. Novel epistemological and theoretical insights through engaging in practical action and independent research.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to

C1. Critically appraise social psychological and  criminological and social policy questions in the context of primary and secondary data provided by research studies and government agencies.

C2. Analyse the complexity and merits of competing theories and explanations pertaining to the inter-relation between criminological and social psychological problems.

C3. Apply theory and research methods derived from social psychology and criminology to problems and behaviour in the daily world and institutions.

C4. Formulate critical accounts of human experience from a variety of social sources, and establish pertinent connections between them.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to

P1. Observe, record accurately and formulate a systematic account of the variability and variety of human behaviour in natural and institutional settings.

P2. Use appropriate analytical methods and research tools in relation to social psychological and criminological research topics ; including quantitative, qualitative and evaluative techniques.

P3. Interpret qualitative and quantitative data rigorously in the context of clearly defined research hypotheses derived from, and relevant to, social and policy issues and problems.

P4. Communicate ideas in different genres and for different audiences, in writing and orally, through producing presentations, long and short essays, practical reports and a major dissertation.

P5. Act professionally and in accordance with ethical propriety.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to

T1. Gather, organise and deploy evidence in support of persuasive arguments and analysis.

T2. Produce reasoned and structured arguments orally and in writing for appropriate audiences.

T3. Use information technology appropriately including sourcing data, data analysis and data visualisation packages.

T4. Share responsibility for a task with others; work productively in a group or team, displaying at different times abilities to listen, facilitate, contribute and lead effectively.

T5. Write and speak clearly to topic; to draft and edit presentations and contribute actively to group discussion.

T6. Manage self-learning and evaluate own work in a reflective manner, identifying key strengths and weaknesses and developing strategies for self-improvement.

4. Programme structure

Programme Code SSUB06

The programme lasts three years full-time. Students who opt to take a placement year between the second and final years complete a 4 year programme. Students take modules amounting to 120 credits each year. The degree is a combined honours programme, majoring in Social Psychology with a minor in Criminology. Students take a minimum of 60 credits worth of Social Psychology modules and 40 credits worth of Criminology modules each year.

In Year 1 (Part A) students take 60 credits of compulsory core modules in Social Psychology and may choose 20 credits of options from Sociology or Communication and Media Studies. In addition students take 40 credits of compulsory, core modules in Criminology.

In Year 2 (Part B) students take 80 credits of compulsory, core modules in Social Psychology and 40 credits of compulsory, core modules in Criminology. In the final year (Part C) students take 60 credits of compulsory core modules in Social Psychology, which includes a dissertation; one 20 credit Social Psychology optional module; plus 20 credits of compulsory core modules in Criminology and one 20 credit Criminology optional module.

Important Note: No module may be taken and passed more than once. Module availability is subject to timetabling constraints.

Part A

COMPULSORY MODULES (100 credits)

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 1 and 2

OPTIONAL MODULES (20 credits)

Students take two 10 credit options from the following:

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 1 and 2

Part B

COMPULSORY MODULES (120 credits)

Semester 1

Semester 2

NO OPTIONAL MODULES

Part I

Placement Year: Students have the opportunity to take a placement year (Part I) after successful completion of Part B. Three placement routes are available:

• Diploma of Professional Studies (DPS) Route: Students taking this route undertake a programme of professional training leading to the Diploma of Professional Studies (DPS) in the UK or abroad in accordance with Senate Regulation XI.
• Diploma in Industrial Studies (DIS) Route: Students taking this route undertake a programme of industrial training leading to the award of the Diploma in Industrial Studies (DIS) in the UK or abroad in accordance with Senate Regulation XI.
• Diploma in International Studies (DIntS) Route: Students taking this route undertake a British Council approved Teaching Assistantship either at a school or other approved placement in a French, German or Spanish speaking country in accordance with Senate Regulation XI. Successful completion of this route leads to the award of the Diploma in International Studies (DIntS). It should be noted that students undertaking a Teaching Assistantship should have a minimum of AS level in the appropriate language, or its equivalent. The equivalent level in the University Wide Language Programme is level 4. Note that students taking this Teaching Assistantship scheme through the Department of Politics, History and International Relations will be registered on module EUI002.  Students taking other work abroad placement opportunities will be registered on SSI002.

Registration on the DIntS, DIS and DPS routes is subject to Departmental approval and satisfactory performance during Parts A and B.

Depending on the Placement type, students are enrolled on one of the following modules:

Semesters 1 and 2

Part C

COMPULSORY MODULES (80 credits)

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semesters 1 and 2

OPTIONAL MODULES

Students must also choose ONE 20 credit criminology module from the selection below:

Semester 1

 Semester 2

In addition, students must also choose ONE 20 credit modules from the options list below:

Semester 1

Semester 2

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to progress from Part A to Part B, from Part B to C, and to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification

Candidates' final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments in Parts B and C. The percentage mark for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B 40% : Part C 60% to determine the final programme percentage mark.