UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE

Programme Specification

This Programme Specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
Sources of information on the programme can be found in Section 17
  1. Awarding Institution / Body
/ University of Central Lancashire
  1. Teaching Institution
/ UCLan Preston Campus
Runshaw College year one
Burnley College year one
  1. University School
/ Lancashire Law School
  1. External Accreditation
/ N/A
  1. Title of Final Award
/ BA (Hons) Criminology & Criminal Justice
  1. Modes of Attendance offered
/ full time and part time
  1. UCAS Code
/ M930 BA/CCJ
  1. Relevant Subject Benchmarking Group(s)
/ Criminology
  1. Other external influences
/ N/A
  1. Date of production/revision of this form
/ June 2015
  1. Aims of the Programme

  • To provide students with an appropriate theoretical, conceptual, historical and methodological framework in which to locate their study of criminology and criminal justice
  • To develop an awareness of social diversity and inequality within criminal justice processes
  • To develop student’s capacity to undertake independent critical inquiry into aspects of criminological or criminal justice concern
  • To develop students’ written and communication skills and enable students to develop a range of transferable skills
  • To provide students with an opportunity to study particular issues and themes in depth in criminology and criminal justice
  • To provide students with an understanding of the contribution made by a range of disciplines and methodologies tothe study of crime and its representations
  • To develop a comprehensive knowledge of the subject with a detailed understanding of main specialised areas (including knowledge gained by individual dissertation study)
  • To enhance employability and provide a platform for postgraduate and further professional development

  1. Learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods

A.Knowledge and Understanding
Students will be able to
A1. understand and challenge dominant ways of thinking about crime and criminal justice and how they are constituted and represented
A2. consider and articulate alternative explanations
A3. recognise and assess competing theoretical and methodological positions from a variety of sources
A4produce reasoned arguments to justify conclusions and recommendations
Teaching and Learning Methods
  • Lectures – supported by technology such as Blackboard
  • Seminars/tutorials – requiring students to read and prepare in advance
  • Presentations by occasional guest lecturers/professionals with specialist expertise/knowledge
  • Communication – by liaison and learning from others
  • Participating in debate – engaging in questions and responses with student group and course staff
  • Individual supervision of dissertations at level 3

Assessment methods
  • Formative and summative assignments
  • End of module tests
  • An extended investigation of a criminologically informed question
  • Student presentations/group projects in optional modules

B.Subject-specific skills
Students will be able to:
B1. access, evaluate and utilise differing theoretical perspectives
B2. recognise and evaluate competing insights within criminology and criminal justice
B3. recognise contested methodological and ethical implications of research within criminology and criminal justice
B4. recognise the wider context of crime and the criminal justice system and their implications for society
Teaching and Learning Methods
  • Focused lectures
  • Seminar/Tutorial debate
  • Occasional presentations by guest lecturers/speakers
  • Participation in debate
  • Student-centred active learning tasks
  • Opportunity to present seminars in optional modules
  • Individual supervision of dissertations at level 6

Assessment methods
  • Focused assignments: formative and summative
  • End of module tests
  • Extended written exploration of a criminologically informed question
  • Assessed student led presentations in optional modules
  • Critical reviews in optional modules
  • Group projects in optional modules

C.Thinking Skills
Students will be able to:
C1. critically evaluate key theoretical, conceptual, and historical approaches within criminology
C2 critically appreciate criminal justice processes in terms of diversity and inequality
C3. identify the use and implications of methodologies applied to theories, practices and institutions of Criminal Justice
C4. . engage with and analyse the constitution and representation of crime and the responses to crime by the criminal justice system
Teaching and Learning Methods
1. Focused lectures
2. Student participation in seminar/tutorial debate
3. Student led presentations in optional modules
4. Cognitive skills are developed further through dissertation work at Level 3
Assessment methods
  • Focused assignments: formative and summative
  • End of module tests
  • An extended written exploration of a criminologically informed question
  • Presentations

D.Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
Students will demonstrate the ability to employ:
D1. effectivepersonal planning and time management skills
D2. writing and IT skills
D3. arguments in appropriate written or oral language
D4. reasoned evaluations of the opinions of others.
Teaching and Learning Methods
  • Focused lectures
  • Seminars/tutorials
  • Participation in debate
  • Opportunity to present seminars in optional modules

Assessment methods
  • Focused assignments: formative and summative
  • End of module tests
  • An extended written exploration of a criminologically informed question

13.Programme Structures / 14.Awards and Credits*
Level / Module Code / Module Title / Credit rating
Level 6 / CJ3101
CJ3990
CJ3007
CJ3018
CJ3021
CJ3024
CJ3027
CJ3030
CJ3031
CJ3025
CJ3026
CJ3206
PI3004
SO3003
VO3007 / Core Modules
Texts in Criminology
Dissertation in Criminology
Optional Modules
Sex, Violence and Strategies
Understanding State Crime and Genocide
Drugs, Crime and Society
Why Prison?
Human Trafficking and ‘Modern Day’ Slavery
Diversity, Crime and Justice
Crime at the Movies
Terrorism and Security
Crime and New Technologies

Gendered Imaginations & International Relations

Humanity, Values and the Environment

Understanding Security and Policing in the Twenty-First Century
Global Community Exchange / 20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20 / Bachelor Honours Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice
Requires 360 credits, including a minimum of 220 at Level 5 or above, and including 100 at Level 6
Bachelor Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice
Requires 320 credits including a minimum of 180 at Level 5 or above and 60 at Level 6
Level 5 / CJ2101
SS2001
CI2501
CJ2016
CJ2029
CJ2007
CJ2021
HY2098
PI2007
VO2002 / Core Modules
Critical Thinkers in Criminology
Doing Social Research or
Researching with Children and Young People
Compulsory Modules
Understanding Policing
Controversial Issues in Prisons
Optional Modules
Understanding Interpersonal Violence
Youth Justice
The Good, the Bad and the Downright Evil. Perceptions of Crime and Punishment in England (1700-1900)
Philosophy of Science and Social Theory
Community Project Development / 20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20 / Diploma of Higher Education in in Criminology and Criminal Justice
Requires 240 credits including a minimum of 100 at Level 5or above
Level 4 / CJ11011
CJ11021
CJ10041
CJ10051
CI1501
HY11171
PI1119
PO1101
SO1004
VO1006
VO10091
1 / Core Modules
Crime and Society
Key Thinkers in Criminology
Compulsory Modules
Crime and Morality
Introduction to Criminal Process and Procedure
The Social Construction of Childhood
State and Society : Europe c1815-1914
Problems in Contemporary Applied Ethics
Power, Politics and the State
Media and Culture
Volunteering and Community Action
Gang and Gun Culture
Elective
Module selective from university ‘electives’ catalogue (e.g.A Language)
Operates at Burnley College / 20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20 / Certificate of Higher Education
Requires 120 credits at level 4 or above
15.Personal Development Planning
Personal development planning (PDP) is present throughout the course both implicitly and explicitly. Each module that contributes to the course has implicit elements of personal development, which has been addressed in the construction of the module through content, structure and assessment to lead students to the required end point. PDP will also be delivered separately to the programme utilising Personal Development Planning Activities via WebCT. Personal Tutorials for students on individual and group basis throughout the programme.
Examples of topics to be addressed through the course are:
  • What do I hope to gain from my degree course?
  • What academic skills have I already developed and which do I need to develop further or improve on?
  • Which skills can I develop that will help me with my career plans?
  • How do I rate my own skills against those that I am going to be assessed against?
  • How do I become a more effective independent learner?
  • Are my IT skills good enough to participate fully in the course, which areas could I improve on to gain the most from my course?
  • What personal goals will I need to set myself to achieve the standards required of undergraduate study?
  • How do I monitor my progress and use this as an effective tool?
  • What can I learn from reflecting on this process?

16.Admissions criteria
Programme Specifications include minimum entry requirements, including academic qualifications, together with appropriate experience and skills required for entry to study. These criteria may be expressed as a range rather than a specific grade. Amendments to entry requirements may have been made after these documents were published and you should consult the University’s website for the most up to date information.
Students will be informed of their personal minimum entry criteria in their offer letter.
The University’s minimum standard entry requirements for degree level study is a 12 point profile, made up from one of the following :
  • At least two A2 level subjects
  • One A2 level subject plus on single award Advanced VCE
  • One double or two single award(s)
  • Advanced VCE
Other acceptable qualifications include:
  • Scottish Certificate of Higher Education
  • Higher grade passes
  • Irish leaving certificate Higher Grade
  • International Baccalaureate
  • BTEC National Certificate/Diploma
  • Kite marked Access Course
Standard minimum entry requirement is 180 points at A level - Refer to Section B3.11 of the academic regulations and general entry requirements rather than specific A level points as these can change
In line with our support of Access to Higher education your application will be considered without this if you can show the ability to enjoy and benefit from degree level studies. We look for alternative or professional qualifications, life experience, motivation and commitment. If you have not studied recently, you may be given a key skills assessment to enable the teaching team to direct support appropriately.
Applications from individuals with non-standard qualifications or relevant work/life experience who can demonstrate the ability to cope with and benefit from degree level studies are welcome. In some cases these non-standard qualifications and experiences can be treated as Accredited Prior Learning or Accredited Prior Experiential Learning (APL/APEL) and form the basis of exemptions from modules in the degree programme. If you have not studied recently you may need to undertake foundation entry programme first. For details of those offered by the University, please contact Enquiry Management on 01772 892400.
17.Key sources of information about the programme
  • Fact sheet – does this still exist

  • School Webpage:

  • School Contact: Subject leader tel. 01772 89 3936

  • Entry in UCLAN undergraduate prospectus

  • Entry in School/ Faculty undergraduate course publicity material

  • Entry in undergraduate course directories

  • Runshaw College website:

  • Runshaw College contact: 01772 643005

18.Curriculum Skills Map
Please tick in the relevant boxes where individual Programme Learning Outcomes are being assessed
Programme Learning Outcomes
Level / Module Code / Module Title / Core (C), Compulsory (COMP) or Option (O) / Knowledge and understanding / Subject-specific Skills / Thinking Skills / Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
A1 / A2 / A3 / A4 / B1 / B2 / B3 / B4 / C1 / C2 / C3 / C4 / D1 / D2 / D3 / D4
CJ3101 / Texts in Criminology / CORE / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
CJ3990 / Dissertation in Criminology / CORE / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
CJ3007 / Sex, Violence and Strategies / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
CJ3018 / Understanding State Crime and Genocide / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
CJ3021 / Drugs, Crime and Society / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
CJ3024 / Why Prison? / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
CJ3027 / Human Trafficking and ‘Modern Day’ Slavery / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
CJ3030 / Diversity, Crime and Justice / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
CJ3031 / Crime at the Movies / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
CJ3025 / Terrorism and Security / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
CJ3026 / Crime and New Technologies / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
CJ3206 / Gendered Imaginations and International Relations / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
PI3004 / Humanity, Values and the Environment / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
SO3003 / Understanding Security and Policing in the Twenty-first Century / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
VO3007 / Global Community Exchange / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
LEVEL 5
CJ2101 / Critical Thinkers in Criminology / CORE / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
SS2001 / Doing Social ResearchOR / CORE / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
CI2501 / Researching with Children and Young People / CORE / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
CJ2016 / Understanding Policing / Comp / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
CJ2029 / Controversial Issues in Prisons / Comp / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
CJ2007 / Understanding Interpersonal Violence / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
CJ2021 / Youth Justice / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
HY2098 / The Good, the Bad and the Downright Evil. Perceptions of Crime and Punishment in England 1700-1900 / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
PI2007 / Philosophy of Social Science and Social Theory / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
VO2002 / Community Project Development / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
CJ1101 / Crime and Society / CORE / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
CJ1102 / Key Thinkers in Criminology / CORE / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
LEVEL 4 / CJ1004 / Crime and Morality / COMP / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
CJ1005 / Introduction to Criminal Process and Procedure / COMP / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
CI1501 / The Social Construction of Childhood / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
HY1117 / State and Society : Europe c1815-1914 / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
PI1119 / Problems in Contemporary Applied Ethics / O
PO1101 / Power, Politics and the State / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
SO1004 / Media and Culture / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
VO1006 / Volunteering and Community Action / O / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
VO1009 / Gang and Gun Culture / O / X / X / X / X

Order modules in each level in following order core, comp and optional

Note:Mapping to other external frameworks, e.g. professional/statutory bodies, will be included within Student Course Handbooks