BA (Hons) Criminology and History Bachelor's degree at Keele University

This module aims to lay the foundations for your criminological studies and to ignite your 'criminological imagination'. The module introduces you to criminology as a subject, to where our understanding of 'crime' comes from, and to the ways in which criminological theories and ideas can help us to understand contemporary crime problems. You will also be introduced to theories of criminal justice and the work of, and relationships between, the main institutions of the criminal justice system.

Were there 'defining moments' in the past? You will debate this question through exploring a series of 'moments' in the last 1000 years of world history, encountering different History staff at Keele and learning about different types of History. As you encounter a range of scholarly writing and primary sources and develop the core skills you will need to study History at university, you will consider the relevance of this History to the world we live in today.

This module introduces you to the ways in which criminologists and criminal justice professionals attempt to theorise, contextualise and respond to the most serious forms of criminal and harmful behaviour in society (including murder, homicide, 'public' and 'hidden' forms of violence and abuse, state violence, and environmental crimes). You will be applying theory to current real-world incidents and engaging with issues such as age, gender, ethnicity, social exclusion and inequality, media repre

How and why is crime committed? How can crime be prevented, and whose responsibility is it to prevent it? How is crime investigated, and how are perpetrators identified and prosecuted? How do we punish convicted offenders, and what do we hope to gain from that punishment? These core issues in policing, criminology and criminal justice are explored in their social, political, economic, cultural and psychological contexts. The module also includes visits from practitioners and guest speakers worki

This module explores societal norms, values, and the construction of deviance through real life case studies. You will engage with diverse perspectives on what constitutes social order and deviant behaviour and consider the complexities of social control mechanisms, the stigmatisation of marginalised groups, and the dynamics of power in shaping perceptions of deviance. By fostering a deep understanding of the intricacies of social order and deviance, this empowers you to challenge prevailing nar

As you encounter key ideas, individuals and events in modern history around the world, you will discover how societies changed over time and across place from c.1750 to the present. You will develop fundamental skills including communicating to academic and non-academic audiences, and an awareness of core concepts in modern history. You will also encounter a wide range of primary sources and learn how to analyse them effectively in preparation for your next two years of study.

The past is presented in many different ways, including in contemporary film and media. In this module you will consider 'public history', examine representations of the past in visual culture, and discuss the importance of these representations to collective memory, constructions of identity, and contemporary politics. Working with students from different subjects, you will begin to develop key skills for Humanities students, including how to evaluate and interpret sources and communicate your

This module transitions you to university scholarship and introduces the employability and professional skills that a social science degree provides through a range of action-focused activities. You will learn vital academic and professional skills and competencies that will allow you to thrive in the first year of your undergraduate studies and throughout your degree.

History is ever-present outside of the academic setting in places such as heritage sites, museums, schools, advocacy organizations, newsfeeds and social media. In this module you will grapple with how history is communicated to different groups for different purposes. A field trip will serve as a case study to complement your teaching programme, and you will put your skills into practice by producing and reflecting on your own public history intervention, with guidance from staff.

There are many varied approaches to studying History. This module will consolidate your understanding of these approaches through a lecture series, and you will choose a strand of theme-based seminars. You will be guided to produce your own research project through group workshops and individual supervisions, developing the key research and analytical skills that will be essential for the individual research project that you will embark on in your final year.

This module introduces you to the core social science of designing, implementing, and analysing social phenomenon. You will learn to identify and analyse data sources that might be used by social scientists in real world situations. From quantitative surveys to qualitative interviews and ethnographic studies, you will explore a diverse range of methodological approaches to understanding society and develop practical researcher skills that prepare you to carry out a significant piece of original

What is it like to live in or work in prison? Why do many people return to prison repeatedly? Are prisons doing more harm than good? This module explores the continuum of custodial sentences, from the time a person may spend in prison, to their release into supervision in the community and transition to life 'on the outside'. The module is underpinned by theories of punishment, rehabilitation and integration; in/equality and intersectionality; penal reformist perspectives, abolition and alternat

This module examines current and emerging challenges and issues in criminal justice policy, process and practice. We will examine contemporary case studies of issues requiring a criminal justice response to prevent, deter or reduce problematic impacts and explore the ways in which we can contextualise, measure and respond to these challenges and issues. The module will include visits from practitioners working in criminal justice to provide the opportunity to network and gain insights into poten

This module explores the interplay between societal structures, human behaviour, and crime to equips you with the knowledge and skills to critically analyse, design, and implement interventions that foster safer and more inclusive communities. You will explore how social factors influence crime patterns and the efficacy of preventive measures. Depending on your subject interest, you may explore the role of social policies in shaping community dynamics or design principles for crime prevention st

This module provides the opportunity to contribute to the world beyond the University, in any workplace where the specialist knowledge, research, analytical, and communication skills developed as part of your degree can be used. The workplace or volunteering opportunity may be, for example, with a local government agency, third sector organisation, community group, criminal justice agency, campaign group, a public service, a school or education provider, or another suitable opportunity identifie

This module introduces cross-border crime and the impacts of globalisation and technological innovation on crime and criminal justice. You will learn how cross-border flows impact upon transnational crimes such as: drug use and distribution; human trafficking; immigration crimes; terrorism; cybercrime; hate crime; state crime; organised crime; and environmental crime. You will explore theories of globalisation, risk and network societies, and delve deeper into perspectives that decentre the nati

This module begins to introduce you to possible careers for social scientists and links to the work you are doing in your subject core and option modules asking the question 'how can we mobilise academic study into the real world?' You will also be encouraged to prepare for placement work that you may pursue and reflect on your social media footprint; developing your personal/professional brand and digital networking platforms.

Modern Britain has been shaped and developed by its empire. This module explores the impact of Britain's colonial legacy on the lives of individuals, families, and communities since the nineteenth century. This is a history that contradicts conventional, textbook accounts, as you will discover through oral history testimonies, memoirs, life writing, and digital archives. You will also learn about the 'archival silences' that mask these histories. This second-year module will enhance your critica

The United States has a powerful mythology of abundance and independent landownership. But throughout its history, clashes over land use, dispossession, and environmental degradation have undermined access to this dream for many. This module explores clashes over African American and Native American rights, land use, and environmentalism. In this module, you will continue to hone both public-facing and academic writing and communication skills.

This second-year module explores the reporting of history in the news across the twenty-first century world. Each week will take a different theme and examine it in a practical workshop: headlines reporting sales or repatriation of national treasures might be examined alongside published criteria for exporting historical artefacts and reports of thefts from the British Museum, for example.