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BA/BSc (Honours) Social Policy and Criminology - Learning Outcomes

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Educational aims

This degree will provide you with the opportunity to:

  • understand and apply social science concepts and theories to complex areas of social policy and criminology
  • develop a specialised understanding of the research, the debates and the institutions of social policy and criminology and their inter-relationship
  • acquire the skills and knowledge appropriate to graduate status
  • develop professional and practical skills that can be applied to both further learning and the world of work.

Learning outcomes

The degree provides opportunities for you to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:

Knowledge and understanding

On completion of this degree you will have knowledge and understanding of the:

  • key debates and arguments in social sciences and how they help us understand societies
  • key concepts and theories relevant to the study of social policy and criminology, both historical and contemporary
  • increasing overlaps and connections between social policy and criminology both in theory and in practice expressed in institutions, policies and practice
  • contested nature of social policy and criminology, and the ways in which social interests and values impact on policy and practice at both a global and local level
  • diversity and range of social policy and criminology theories and research strategies and how we can assess the relevance of their use.

Cognitive skills

On completion of this degree you will be able to:

  • define and appropriately utilise key terms and concepts in social sciences, social policy and criminology
  • identify, reflect on and critically evaluate different types of evidence, understanding the socially constructed nature of both primary and secondary sources
  • synthesise arguments by drawing across a range of study materials
  • recognise and use abstract concepts in the fields of social policy and criminology
  • critically demonstrate the relationship between theory, research methods and policy.

Practical and/or professional skills

On completion of this degree you will be able to:

  • apply theory to the study of policy and practice interventions
  • apply research methodologies to the analysis of documents
  • demonstrate a knowledge of the ethical implications of social science research and knowledge
  • plan, monitor and reflect upon own progress and learning
  • complete work that requires sustained and independent application.

Key skills

On completion of this degree you will be able to:

  • select and read material in an appropriate way and effectively take and make use of notes
  • communicate complex information, arguments and ideas clearly in written form
  • select, summarise and synthesise information from a range of sources, including primary texts and other multimedia sources
  • interpret and work with both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies through which the historical and contemporary development of social policy and criminology are understood
  • make use of ICT skills as a means of research: to retrieve, process and evaluate data and other information/evidence
  • understand and interpret qualitative and quantitative data and statistical sources.

Teaching, learning and assessment methods

Knowledge and understanding are acquired in a number of different ways. Through its range of modules the degree provides published distance learning materials, including specially written study materials, study guides and module companions, assignment and project guides. Learning is also organised through a range of multimedia material, through work on original texts and through feedback on assignments.

Assessment, in the majority of cases, is via tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) and end-of-module assessment or examination. At Level 3, assessment is designed to develop and demonstrate independent learning through a range of more challenging assessment tasks that might include a project, policy analysis, reports and an extended essay/double TMA.

Cognitive skills are built up through the levels of the qualification and are taught and assessed through TMAs and end-of-module assessment. Assessment tasks include essays, reports, policy analysis, newspaper analysis, web-based exercises, research evaluation and extended essays. Cognitive skills progress from critical understanding at Level 1 through an ability to compare, contrast and synthesise to critical analysis, abstraction along with an understanding of research and research methods.

Key skills are developed and demonstrated at the different levels of the qualification. At Level 1 there is considerable emphasis on reading, writing and note-taking skills, and this is reflected in the study materials, assessment and tutor feedback on assignments. At Level 1, students are also introduced to a range of ICT skills. At Levels 2 and 3 key skills become more advanced. More complex skills of interpretation, selection and synthesis are required. Understanding and working with a range of sources and different kinds of evidence at Level 2 will develop key analytic skills. These are further advanced at Level 3 when students engage in independent learning and assessment activities, especially in relation to research and selecting and using online and web-based materials.

Practical and professional skills are taught and assessed throughout the qualification. But it is at Levels 2 and 3 that these skills are particularly emphasised and developed. Levels 2 and 3 modules teach and assess the application of theory to policy and practice and the use of research methodologies in policy documents. The ethics of social science research in public policy research are considered at Level 3 in relation to both social policy and criminology. The range of assessment tasks at Level 3 are based on students demonstrating the skills of independent academic activity.

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