Explore and examine the origins of criminology, some of its historical debates, concepts, literature and research.

You'll look at the core perspectives and theories related to crime and criminality.

Find out about the history and development of criminology as an academic discipline.

Explore criminological understandings and situations of violence in society.

We'll cover the types, characteristics, and forms of violence and violent acts within society.

You'll distinguish between individual acts to organised actions of groups and states, all whilst unpacking the ambiguous content and perception of violence.

You'll give due consideration to the frequently neglected victims of violence.

The module framework includes criminology, sociology, psychology, law, cultural studies, political science and sociobiology.

Develop the critical and research skills you need to study and practise law. You’ll focus on academic research skills, statutory and case law interpretation skills, legal writing and draft skills, courtroom skills, and mooting skills. 

You'll get an introduction to the case study format, legal method and the specific legal application of knowledge and general transferable skills under the Joint Statement as required by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and Bar Standards Board for a Qualifying Law Degree. 

Learn about the operation and principles of England and Wales' legal system.

You'll explore institutions including the Crown and Parliament, central government, devolved institutions and the judiciary and principles of the constitution.

You'll look at how legislation is passed, government accountability, separation of powers, the rule of law and judicial review, plus any content specified by the SRA and BSB for QLDs.

You'll develop an awareness of the issues surrounding constitutional and administrative law, evaluate their operation within society, and appreciate the social, economic and political contexts, underlying policy issues and their impact.

This module covers the Constitutional and Administrative Law elements of Public Law as a Foundation of Legal Knowledge required by the SRA and BSB for a QLD under the Joint Statement, and relevant aspects of the SRA Statement of Legal Knowledge for "11. Constitutional law and EU law (including Human Rights).

Understand why we view criminals and crime in certain ways, due to cultural factors and the media.

Think critically about crime, crime control and its media coverage.

We'll look at contemporary criminological theories, exploring how crime is constructed and defined by subcultures, the nation-state, the criminal justice system and corporations.

We'll also explore how these theories help us interpret media depictions of crime and crime control.

You'll analyse how mainstream media and social media shape our collective (mis)understanding of a range of crime and crime control.

Explore how police, partner agencies and government bodies combat transnational and corporate crime that transcend regional, national and international boundaries.

You'll discover how law enforcement and government bodies have to work together to prevent and detect these often clandestine crimes.

We'll explore the exchange of weapons, drugs and stolen property, and the exploitation of people through human trafficking and modern day slavery.

Scrutinise the infiltration of governments and businesses through fraud, corruption and money laundering.

We'll also look at how technology and the internet facilitate transnational crimes.

You’ll study the main principles of English criminal law and analyse their practical application. 

You’ll study subject areas including elements of offences, modes of liability, defences, admissibility and weight of evidence, special measures and cross examination. 

You’ll participate in seminars and workshops where you’ll be introduced to new legal topics to develop your understanding of complex concepts and practical skills relevant to the legal profession.  

You’ll develop your transferrable skills and will learn to carry out independent tasks and research needed for a career in the law. 

You’ll consider how legal principles can be applied to both actual and hypothetical facts and enhance the relevant employability skills you’ll need in the legal profession. 

You’ll participate in workshops which will involve a combination of presentations, discussions, case studies, simulations, and group activities. 

You'll spend time working with an employer during the year, completing a project in the field of law, legal practice, or an allied area.

This will involve negotiating a project that meets the needs of both your employer or placement provider and Leeds Trinity University.

You'll then reflect on what you've learned from the experience.

The project you undertake should help you explore career pathways in politics so you can make informed and purposeful decisions about your future.

You'll develop and negotiate learning outcomes and assessment modes that allow you to apply theoretical understanding and practical work-based development to a chosen context.

You’ll define a research project of your choice in consultation with an appointed member of staff, formulate a proposal then complete a dissertation. 

You’ll work independently where you’ll undertake research and draft the dissertation. 

Benefit from individual supervision with face-to-face meetings and participate in workshops to develop your skills and enhance your knowledge of the legal profession.  

You'll have a flexible range of opportunities to enhance your professional skills and graduate opportunities as this module will be tailored to each student's development.

You'll apply the theoretical understanding you've been developing throughout your degree to a chosen professional context. This could include a work-based project or skills development approach where you will identify and address specific gaps in your portfolio of graduate-level skills.

Your final year dissertation project is the culmination of your studies.

It's an independent project guided by the support of your supervisor.

It can either be a theoretical-based piece of work, investigating a particular issue within social sciences, or you can take on a piece of primary research.

It should bring together knowledge and understanding from other modules to create a research project that could generate new knowledge, or develops our understanding of the topic.

The proposal for the research project undertaken in SOC 6044 will have been developed and assessed within SOC 5042 Contemporary Research 2.