Course summary
The field of criminology and criminal justice is constantly developing, challenging both researchers and practitioners as new forms of crime and harm emerge from a range of perennial issues. Whether it's established issues of crime and disorder or emergent problems attached to new technologies, changing demographic patterns of globalised structural networks, there is a growing demand - locally and nationally - for professionals with substantive, social-scientific knowledge and evidence-based practice along with the research skills needed for their development. The MA Criminology and Criminal Justice aims to prepare you for a career in the broad field of criminal justice by developing your awareness of current problems in crime and harm and equipping you with the knowledge and skills needed to contribute to and lead professional services across the criminal justice sector. This course is suitable for graduates from a wide range of academic disciplines, including criminology, policing, sociology, psychology and law, who are keen to build on their current knowledge to pursue a career in criminal justice and for professionals working in the criminal justice sector who want to expand their own skills, knowledge and competencies. Throughout the course, you will explore current problems and ideas on both sides of the criminological discipline and have the opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills and competencies required to join the next generation of practitioners and researchers. You’ll receive research training that roams beyond the established distinction between qualitative and quantitative to explore the new frontier of online methodologies. You’ll learn from practitioners and researchers with interests that range across the social sciences and benefit from our established links with West Yorkshire Police, the probation service and a variety of connected organisations. These experts will help you to develop strong analytical and research skills and support you as you conduct your own real-world criminological research, putting your ideas and interests into practice through the completion of a postgraduate research project.
Modules
Practical Criminological Research Develop an advanced understanding of the processes and issues of social research. Drawing upon the philosophical underpinnings which are central to research methodologies, this module will encourage you to consider the relationship between theory, methods and data and to critically consider the need to balance theory with conducting research on real issues in the real world. This module will help you gain a coherent understanding of the decisions researchers make when deciding which research methods to use and to develop practical skills in using a variety of research methods. You will also be able to develop a sound understanding of ethical and practical issues in designing, conducting and analysing research. Justice and Control in the 21st Century The module examines the institutions, practices and processes that make up the criminal justice system. Your study will focus on policing, the penal system and the probation service, youth justice, gender and masculinities, analysing the social, economic and political factors that underpin these institutions and their impact on particular groups. There has been much discussion about the criminal justice system and the apparent failure of key institutions to deliver justice, protect the public and punish criminals. This module explores these themes in a critical way, considering the influence of social, economic and political factors that shape the agencies within the criminal justice system, and the administration of criminal justice. Current Criminological Concepts You will be introduced to explanations of crime suited to the current times in which we live. It will build on the criticisms levelled at 20th-century theoretical frameworks and move forward to familiarise you with the latest 21st-century frameworks currently in use and/or under development. The module will place these emerging frameworks in the contexts of today's mutating crime and criminal markets alongside current transformations in contemporary political economy, culture, social theory, psychoanalysis and philosophy. Illicit Markets You will develop the knowledge, understanding and skills to research criminal markets in the twenty-first century. You’ll be introduced to the field of global crime, critically engaging with debates about the criminogenic effects of global network capitalism. Emphasis will be placed on the relationship between globalisation, technology, political economy and increases in illicit flows of goods and services. The module will also explore global and local criminal marketplaces in these goods and services, both online and offline. You’ll have the opportunity to acquire expert knowledge on the illicit pharmaceutical trade, drawing on cutting-edge research, before critically exploring one of these criminal markets in more depth and detail. Scholarly Project You will demonstrate your awareness and skills in research and evaluation, and your ability to integrate, synthesise and critique criminological content, concepts and research methodologies through the production of an extended piece of independent work based on a criminological topic of your choice.
Assessment method
We use a range of assessment methods throughout the course, which includes: Essays Presentations Dissertation
Entry requirements
A degree classification 2:2 or higher in related subject such as criminology, sociology, psychology or other cognate field.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Provider information
Leeds Trinity University
Brownberrie Lane
Horsforth
Leeds
LS18 5HD