BA (Hons) Criminology and Sociology Bachelor's degree at the University of Nottingham

In this module, you'll learn the fundamentals of social research and the role it plays in sociology, criminology, social policy, and social work. You'll explore different approaches to social science research and how they can be used to examine social issues. You will explore key methodological considerations and approaches using case studies and classroom activities. You'll also examine issues related to ethics, power, and different standpoints and develop the foundations of what is required to

This module introduces you to the core components of the criminal justice system in England and Wales, exploring how justice is conceptualised, delivered and experienced. You'll examine the roles and responsibilities of key agencies including the police, courts, prisons and probation services. Then we'll consider how these institutions interact within the broader legal framework. Through a combination of case studies, theoretical debates, and contemporary issues, you'll develop a foundational un

In this module, you will discover the key ideas, thinkers and debates that have shaped sociology as a discipline. You'll explore how social theories developed in response to major political, economic and cultural changes and how they continue to help you make sense of the world today. You will learn how sociology connects with subjects such as philosophy, politics and economics and how these links open up different ways of understanding society. Throughout the module, you'll examine how identity

In this module, you will develop the core skills and ways of thinking you need to thrive in criminology, sociology or social work. You'll explore the idea of the social science imagination, a way of connecting your personal experiences with wider social issues and structures. You will learn how to approach academic writing with confidence, understand what different assessment tasks expect from you, and carry out effective literature searches using academic databases. The module also helps you bu

Sociology in Action invites you to explore how sociological knowledge can be used to engage with the world and contribute to meaningful social change. You'll focus on sociology as having a civic purpose or one that not only explains society but also seeks positive social change. You'll deepen your understanding of how individuals interact with key social structures such as family, education, politics and the economy, while critically examining how power, inequality and stratification operate bot

This module will introduce you to the foundations of criminology and criminological thought. You'll explore how criminology has evolved over time by examining key criminological theories and debates, and how they've been shaped by wider social, political, and intellectual contexts. You'll also explore the philosophical ideas behind punishment and justice, helping you understand the values and assumptions which underpin systems of crime control and social policy, especially within liberal democra

This module provides a critical introduction to classical and contemporary sociological theory, exploring how key thinkers and ideas have shaped and continue to shape our understanding of society. You'll engage with foundational theorists, while also examining influential 20th and 21st century perspectives that respond to, and build upon, these traditions. Through close reading and discussion, you'll explore major theoretical debates and methodological innovations and consider how sociological t

Explore how societies maintain order and regulate behaviour through formal and informal social control. You'll examine how norms, values and everyday practices support social order, alongside the role of institutions like the criminal justice system. A key focus is on informal responses to crime and how these sit alongside or sometimes replace state-led interventions. As the module develops, you'll analyse the structures and effectiveness of the criminal justice system and investigate philosophi

This module introduces you to the core principles and practices of qualitative research in the social sciences. You'll explore how qualitative methods are used to investigate complex social issues, understand lived experiences and interpret meaning in everyday life. Through lectures, seminars and practical activities, you'll learn how to evaluate different qualitative approaches, such as interviews, focus groups and observation and consider when and how they are best applied. A key part of the m

Discover the principles and practices of working with quantitative data in the social sciences and explore how quantitative and qualitative approaches can be combined through mixed methods research. You'll learn how to evaluate different types of quantitative methods, understand their strengths and limitations and begin to apply them to real-world social questions. You'll also explore the logic and design of mixed methods research, gaining insight into how combining data types can offer a more c

This module explores the relationship between crime, justice, and the media. Students will study criminological, sociological and media theory relating to factual and fictional forms of media. The module aims introduces students to theoretical and empirical analysis of media constructions of topics such as crime, criminals, victims, justice, and policing. It encourages critical thinking about the use of social divisions (for example gender, race, class) in this media, and the consequences mundan