Master of Arts in Criminology and Social Policy*
Educational aims of the programme:
To enable students to develop an advanced understanding of cutting-edge developments in the fields of criminology and social policy, with a particular focus upon their intersection through the processes of criminalization and the workings of institutions of (in)justice.
To enable students to develop a critical awareness of the theoretical and empirical relationships between power and social divisions as they relate to the fields of criminology and social policy.
To help students develop a critical understanding of the social, political and historical processes that affect the ways in which crimes and harms are perpetrated and responded to locally, nationally and internationally.
To prepare students to develop critical discussion and analysis of complex concepts and to work independently and with some originality.
To present students with the opportunity to engage in a sustained piece of in-depth research work which demonstrates an advanced understanding and application of methodology, method and analysis.
To enhance the critical, analytic, research and employability skills of students working within or aspiring to work within Criminology and Social Policy related professions.
(*) Subject to validation
Duration: Part-time 3 years
Study mode: Online learning
Tuition fees: £12,635
Financing: Scholarships Available
Programme Pathway
| Foundation Courses |
| Name |
Code |
| Induction Module |
LJMU-IND-M-100 |
|
The Induction Module aims to equip students with the tools, knowledge and skills they need to successfully complete their programme of studies.
|
| Postgraduate Certificate Level |
| Name |
Code |
| Critical Criminology and the State: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives |
LJMU-7105CSP |
Aims
- To develop a critical understanding of the historical and contemporary relationship between the state, social divisions and the maintenance of social order;
- To consider recent developments around critical theories of the state;
- To understand the interrelationship between the exercise of state power, policy and practice;
- To critically assess the contradictions within, and contestation around, the exercise of state power.
Learning Outcomes
After completing the module the student should be able to:
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of the historical and contemporary relationship between the state, social divisions and the maintenance of social order;
- Critically evaluate developments around critical theories of the state;
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of the interrelationship between the exercise of state power, policy and practice;
- Critically assess the contradictions within, and contestation around, the exercise of state power.
|
| Conceptualising Crime, Criminal Justice and Social Policy |
LJMU-7102CSP |
Aims
- To understand the fundamental connection between criminological and social policy theoretical approaches and the significance of these to analyses of social (in) justice.
- To understand welfare and criminal justice institutions in their historical and contemporary contexts.
- To critically examine the ways in which social policy and policymaking processes inform constructions of 'social problems' and the criminal justice responses to them
Learning Outcomes
After completing the module the student should be able to:
- Critically evaluate the connections between criminology and social policy approaches to the study of crime, harm and social problems.
- Critically analyse the historical development and contemporary function of institutions of criminal justice and social policy.
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of changes to criminal justice and social policy in the post-war period and the impacts this has had on the conceptualisation of, and response to, social problems
|
| Postgraduate Diploma Level |
| Name |
Code |
| Advanced Research Methods for Social Science |
LJMU-7100CSP |
Aims
- To understand the philosophical underpinnings of criminology and social policy research and practice.
- To evaluate and understand the contested and political nature of knowledge and the complex relationship between social research and the policy environment.
- To critically evaluate a range of quantitative and qualitative research methods used in relevant fields of enquiry.
- To develop advanced data analysis skills, including the use of specialist software tools.
Learning Outcomes
After completing the module the student should be able to:
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of the philosophical underpinnings of criminological and social policy research.
- Critically examine the influence of stakeholders on the design, delivery and outcomes in the research process.
- Demonstrate a critical awareness of the relative advantages and disadvantages of qualitative and quantitative methods, to make informed decisions about their suitability for a particular research need.
- Demonstrate an ability to apply appropriate analyses to different types of data.
|
| Globalisation and Comparative Social Policy: Crime, Harm and (in)justice |
LJMU-7101CSP |
Aims
- To think globally and comparatively about social policy and its connections with crime, harm and (in)justice
- To develop a critical understanding of the ways in which the economic, political and cultural milieu intersect with crime, harm and (in)justice
- To participate in on-line fieldwork, internet based research, and communities of practice for digital scholarship.
Learning Outcomes
After completing the module the student should be able to:
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of the manner in which different economic, political and cultural contexts interact and interconnect with crime, harm and justice
- Critically evaluate how states both facilitate and regulate crime, harm and justice within the context of processes of globalization and social policy
- Identify an area of social policy, conduct on-line fieldwork, present and critically reflect upon research through the lens of an international case-study
|
| Postgraduate Award Level |
| Name |
Code |
| Dissertation Project |
LJMU-7107CSP |
Aims
- To negotiate issues of methodology, research design, ethics and data analysis and apply these to research on a topic of the student's choice.
- To develop a systematic and critical awareness of complex concepts congruent to the study of criminology and social policy.
- To work independently and with some originality.
- To produce a coherent and logically argued piece of writing that demonstrates competence in critical analysis.
Learning Outcomes
After completing the module the student should be able to:
- Demonstrate an ability to undertake original and autonomous research on a topic of their choice incorporating advanced knowledge and skills around research methodology, method, ethics and secondary data analysis.
- Display an ability to engage in critical discussion and analysis of complex concepts.
- Demonstrate the capacity to work autonomously and to manage a research project in an effective and timely manner.
- Communicate effectively the findings of their research study, informed by wide current understandings in the subject.
|
Entry Requirements
The entry requirements for admission are:
- An accredited UK Honours degree with minimum 2.2 classification or recognized international equivalent. Some professional qualifications may also be acceptable. Extensive professional experience may also be considered in exceptional cases.
- Official transcripts from all universities, colleges and other post-secondary educational institutions attended.
- English Proficiency: Students satisfy the English proficiency requirements provided they present a GCSE score with a minimum grade of “C” or IELTS (Academic) with an overall score of at least 6.0 (and no individual component lower than 5.5) or equivalent qualification. Students who do not acquire the above mentioned qualifications are required to take the online Academic English Placement Test. This is an IELTS-type test (Reading & Writing) where students need to score an overall 6.0 (with no individual component lower than 5.5).
- Personal Statement (minimum 500 words) explaining how the programme of study will benefit the student’s career progression.
- Up to date CV
- Two references (academic or professional) listed on CV stating referee’s full name, contact details, and relationship to the applicant.
Applications from non-standard applicants are welcome and will be considered individually.
* Entry requirements may vary depending on the programme of study.
