BA (Hons) Criminology and Psychology (Placement Year) Bachelor's degree at Lancaster University

Cognition is the mental processes underlying our ability to process and perceive the world around us. Social psychology offers a way to understand ourselves and the social world around us. You will learn about classic paradigms and experimental approaches, covering key historical and conceptual topics within these fields of psychological research. You will be provided with a comprehensive overview of core theories and findings as well as explore how theories and findings extend beyond the laboratory setting into the real world. You will also see how personality, individual differences, and intelligence impact our mental processes and are expressed in our thoughts, feelings and behaviours.

Your first theory module will introduce you to two key areas of study in psychology, developmental psychology and neuropsychology, plus the underpinning concept of individual differences. Developmental Psychology looks at change over time, using theories of learning (such as those from Piaget and Vygotsky) as a focus for discussion. Neuropsychology takes us into the realms of the brain and mind, where you will begin to understand the complex interplay between the brain and behaviour in real-world contexts. You will learn to use primary sources of knowledge - peer-reviewed journal articles presenting scientific theory and evidence - to enrich your thinking and talking about psychology and dev

How do we learn about crime and criminals? Discover the methods criminologists use to study crime and the criminal justice system, moving beyond everyday assumptions and media portrayals. Using a range of topics within criminology as exemplars, you will learn to: formulate research questions conduct literature reviews design studies analyse findings You’ll develop the skills to think like a criminologist and be prepared for deeper engagement with the research field as you progress with your study of criminology.

Explore the dynamic field of Criminology where you will encounter a range of theoretical perspectives and debates that inform the discipline. Do you think that criminals are born bad? Or do they learn this behaviour from their families or as a product of where they grow up? We’ll debate it all! You will study both positivistic and social analyses of crime and criminalisation and learn to evaluate criminological theory in relation to a range of intellectual movements. You’ll evaluate these theories in relation to academic scholarship, empirical evidence, popularity and application in crime policy and practice, and in relation to their geographical, social, cultural and historical locations.

Criminology and Law are two of the disciplines that underpin our criminal justice system (CJS). You will explore the interplay between these subjects by learning about the concepts, principles and processes of the CJS in England and Wales. You will gain an understanding of the structure and organisation of the CJS then find out about the different roles, functions and working practices of the main agencies that operate within it. The notions of ‘justice’ and ‘injustice’ will feature heavily in this module. As a student of Criminology, you will have an opportunity to think critically about the powers and decision-making processes of the CJS, as well as those that are subject to them, as poten

To understand crime, criminal justice and criminology in the 21st Century, we need some understanding of how these have evolved through history. You’ll encounter a brief history of crime and responses to crime, from the 19th Century to the present day. You will then be introduced to a cross-section of punishment practices in history, from the Bloody Code onwards. The module takes advantage of Lancaster as a historical city of crime and (in)justice. From the witch trials to our history of slavery; from the castle as a local prison to its current home of Lancaster Crown Courts, you will gain an introduction to the history of crime, punishment, and criminal justice policy in Britain.

Explore the intersection of crime, deviance, and popular culture in this module. You will focus on how crime is represented in entertainment and can be consumed for pleasure. Through critical analysis of films, television shows, literature, podcasts, and social media, you will examine how the portrayal of criminal acts, law enforcement, and justice shape societal understandings of these issues. You will consider the role entertainment plays in reinforcing or challenging dominant narratives surrounding crime, examining how popular culture serves as both a mirror to societal anxieties and a mechanism for cultural influence. Critically engaging with the concept of deviance, you'll question how

Delve deeper into the fascinating world of cognitive psychology. You’ll uncover how the brain processes information, how we remember, learn, focus our attention and make sense of what we see and hear. Topics include everything from memory and categorisation to face recognition, auditory processing and how our senses work together. Explore landmark studies and cutting-edge research that reveal how our minds shape behaviour. This is your chance to engage with the science behind how we experience the world. You’ll sharpen your ability to analyse research, evaluate evidence, and make sense of complex ideas. It’s a key step in understanding human behaviour and in building your own research and cr

This module introduces you to the scholarship in criminological theory and the sociology of deviance from the nineteenth century to the present. A unifying theme is the relationship between the problem of social order and strategies of social control as this has been conceived since the late nineteenth century. You will learn about the social and political context from which these various theories have emerged as well as their place within the intellectual development of Criminology.

This module will explore questions such as: How can we know about the true extent of crime? Are official data sources valid and reliable in informing crime-related policy? Can we predict future offending behaviour? How should we evaluate crime reduction programmes? By the end of the module, you will have some of these answers. You will be learning and working with different data sources related to crime and criminal justice, exploring data from police-recorded crime, the Crime Survey for England and Wales and criminal justice statistics from the courts. You will develop highly valuable skills in data-handling and analysis during the computer workshops. You do not require any previous knowled

Explore the rich and thought-provoking world of social psychology. You’ll dive into topics like social influence, leadership, prejudice, intergroup conflict, social cognition, attitudes, attribution, and identity uncovering how our thoughts, behaviours and relationships are shaped by the social world around us. But this isn’t just about theory. You’ll also examine how social psychology is shaped by cultural and historical context, question the methods used in research, and think critically about how knowledge is produced and how it’s used. Through engaging lectures and interactive seminars, you’ll build a strong set of academic skills. Learn how to use technical language, connect complex ide

Research provides an important means of producing knowledge and evidence within Criminology. It also contributes to the planning and evaluation of policies and provisions operating within the criminal justice system (CJS); an area of interest for criminologists. Focusing on real-world research in the ‘field,’ you will study the theoretical foundations of how knowledge and evidence is understood and produced and how this underpins the methods adopted by researchers. You will explore the methods commonly used in criminological research such as: Quantitative questionnaires Evaluation and randomized control trials (RCTs) Qualitative interviews Ethnography New innovative creative methods Particip

Explore a range of topics and perspectives related to Contemporary Issues in Policing. This module will cover three key core areas: The role of the police in a contemporary and historical context Key policing concepts Contemporary issues related to policing in the UK You will develop an understanding of contemporary issues in policing in the UK and critically consider the role of police officers within the criminal justice system. You’ll gain a critical understanding of key policing concepts such as police power, accountability and ‘cop culture’ and interpret theories in the context of policing.

The landscape of financial crime has dramatically shifted in recent decades, becoming a pervasive threat to economies worldwide and legal systems are constantly challenged to adapt. In this module you will delve into the core aspects of this complex field, specifically: fraud, money laundering, terrorism financing and the increasingly intertwined relationship between financial crime and cybercrime, where technological advancements often outstrip regulatory capabilities. You will analyse how these crimes operate, including where appropriate, the implications of technology - cryptocurrencies, ransomware, dark web on these crimes - emphasising the inherent difficulties in effective legal enforc

Many commentators claim that organised crime is one of the greatest problems facing contemporary societies. Law enforcement officials around the world have reported a significant increase in the range and scope of international criminal activity since the early 1990s. Worldwide shifts in social, political and economic arrangements- often described as ‘globalisation’ - have opened up opportunities for organised crime groups. The extent of groups involved in transnational organised crime (TOC) and the profits made means TOC has become a priority area for governments around the world.

This module introduces you to the fundamental neural principles underlying cognition and behaviour, with particular emphasis on perceptual, cognitive, and emotional processes. You will gain basic knowledge of the anatomy, physiology, and functions of the central and peripheral nervous systems, alongside a range of theories and neuroscientific research methods. Develop your analytical and critical thinking skills by engaging in scientific literature and making comparisons across different theories and methods. By the end of the module, you will understand the methods used to study the nervous system and be able to describe the general relationships between brain structure and function. Topics

This module will allow you to spend the year working in a graduate-level placement role in the industry or sector that interests you most. Throughout the year, you will build an awareness of what is required in the professional workplace whilst developing a range of transferable skills. During the module you will reflect on and critically analyse: your own career readiness, the ongoing development of your self-awareness in terms of skills and professional knowledge, and your understanding of current workplace practices and professional etiquette. Our Careers and Placements Team will support you during your placement with online contact and learning resources.

Explore how psychology can help in forensic and investigative settings, including police investigations and dealing with suspects in court rooms. You will learn about offender profiling, lie detection, investigative interviewing and interrogation, while gaining an appreciation for what can be learned from studying the behaviour of criminals in a scientific framework, with the goal of understanding theories of crime and criminal behaviour. You will learn how to apply psychological theories of behaviour to explain criminal case studies and experiences in criminal contexts, as well as the strengths and limitations of classifications of criminal behaviour. This module will equip you with the ski

Learn about forms and methods of punishment today and historically and consider the place of prisons within this wider context. You’ll explore key theories and perspectives around the justification and limitations of past and present practices as you examine the shift to a prison industrial complex. You will learn to ask key questions such as: What constitutes ‘punishment’? How have prisons evolved, and what perspectives have influenced carceral projects nationally and internationally? Who is most likely to be punished or imprisoned? You will also question who is most likely to be subject to punishment or imprisonment and how this relates to wider social inequalities and demographic experien

Discover what clinical psychology is, learn about key theoretical frameworks and treatment approaches, and develop an understanding of how research is related to practice. You will describe and discuss prominent (neuro-)psychological disorders affecting different populations. This may include disorders such as schizophrenia, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, developmental disabilities, selected eating disorders and mood and anxiety disorders. You will discuss these disorders in terms of their assessment, cause, research background and interventions. You will be introduced to issues in professional training and practice and gain a realistic appreciation for the work of clinical psychologists. By the

Explore the ‘ins and outs’ of cognitive science, integrating cutting-edge research with practical applications. Gain insight into experimental research from the cognitive revolution onwards, work which has produced ever more sophisticated models of human behaviour. You will also investigate the world outside the cognitive science laboratory, building your understanding of a variety of behaviours and events, applying core insights from within.

Informed by the latest research, this module critically examines the complex interactions between the media and crime. Included in this fascinating area of study are: theories of deviancy, moral panics and newsworthiness representations of youth and female offenders sex and hate crimes revenge pornography and cybercrime critical explorations of the use of media in the context of crime and criminal justice We take a multi-disciplinary approach to the module so you will study key media concepts and then discuss how these relate to crime, deviancy and criminal justice issues. The module assessment is both novel and creative. You will produce a media portfolio - completing a literature review on

In this module you will research a criminological topic of your choice in much greater depth than you have previously. The module is worth 40 credits, which is the equivalent of two optional taught modules. You are encouraged to undertake your own empirical research, using the methods and techniques you have learned in your second year to generate new evidence. There is also the scope to undertake a desk-based research project if you prefer. The dissertation will span the entire final year of study, but planning will start earlier in the previous academic year. You will work independently on your project but will be supported by a Criminology academic working in the related field. Academic s

Building on earlier core perspectives, you will engage critically and constructively with social psychological research and theory. Explore a wide variety of applied topics currently being researched by social psychologists. You will develop your ability to evaluate and summarise the current state of knowledge (theory and evidence) on a given topic and apply this knowledge constructively to address real-world issues.

Delve into a contemporary psychological analysis of cyber behaviours and the digital footprint created by, and used in the service of, human activity. You will integrate and contrast traditional psychological concepts with online behaviours that inevitably show both commonalities and differences. You will learn about methodologies for cyber research and the theories and tools that cyber psychology has created. You will also explore “what does it mean to be a human in a ubiquitous digital environment?”.

An engaging and highly relevant module, Drugs, Crime and Society examines the nature and extent of drug taking in the UK and beyond. We will: explore the difficulties of researching hidden populations, like drug users engage with theories of drug use from a sociological, psychological and cultural perspective consider global and national drug markets investigate the links between drugs and crime evaluate policing responses to drugs You will be taught by research-active lecturers who will introduce you to the latest research in this field and contemporary debate. For example, you might study current research and publications concerning cannabis cultivation, world markets, and drug distributio

Engage with the often-neglected, marginalised and overlooked needs of women within the fields of Criminology and Criminal Justice. This module explores how harm and injustice may occur in various ways and at various intersections, as well as the often-blurred boundaries between victimisation and criminalisation. Yet there is also a focus on power, protest and resistance and how this might play out in different contexts. Indicative topics and perspectives related include: Women, crime and poverty in an age of austerity Domestic violence as a pathway to offending and The experiences of Black and minoritised women Women in the global south You will engage with a range of sources that seek to de

Green Criminology is the application of Criminological thought (concepts, methods, theories etc.) to environmental harm. In this module, you will engage with the increasing awareness of the damage contemporary industrial society inflicts on the natural world - and the urgent need for effective responses and solutions to environmental problems. You’ll focus on a range of environmental harms, whether or not subject to criminal control and you will examine society’s attempts to control them. A relatively recent addition to criminology, Green Criminology draws on established traditions of examining ‘crimes of the powerful’ and focuses on a zemiological (harm-centred) perspective rather than lega

Is there such a thing as a ‘hate crime’? Not according to the stance wholeheartedly adopted by the criminal justice system in the United Kingdom within the last two decades. In this module you will study a range of perspectives. You will examine the notion that hate crime is socially constructed by a range of social actors, such as perpetrators, victims and police officers. In an interactive process, you will define whether an interaction is a hate crime or not. You will consider the role of legal and academic definitions used to decide if something is a hate crime. You’ll explore these by placing them in an international context

This module focuses on the crimes that power makes possible. Criminological theory and research has traditionally prioritized the crimes of the powerless over and against the crimes of those that make laws, wield influence and capital or authorize State violence. As such, this module will introduce you to theory, research, and case-studies on corporate and white-collar crimes, as well as state crimes like genocide and torture, in order to provide an analysis of the commission and punishment of such crimes.

Explore how advances in developmental psychology methods and measures have transformed our understanding of development. You will be presented with current methods in the field and asked to highlight areas in methodological or theoretical debate. You’ll examine contemporary and historical techniques and developmental theory. By engaging with contemporary research, you will evaluate how these methods have opened new avenues for investigating the mechanisms underlying developmental change, whilst considering the parameters for use and their implications. You will have the opportunity to speculate on future advances and how they may change our understanding of the field. Topics will include pre

Examine a range of sex crimes and forms of sexual offending as defined by the law in England and Wales. You’ll consider the wider social context which may explain why some sex crimes are defined by law and how new crimes emerge as the social context changes. Topics explored include: The extent of sexual offending How sex crimes are committed Who the perpetrators and victims are How sex crimes are dealt with by the criminal justice system, including the experiences of victims who engage with the criminal justice system