Course summary

In studying for this degree, you will gain an understanding of crime as a social problem within a wider framework of poverty, addiction, homelessness and educational and family experience. By critically examining the decisions society makes about crime you will learn how social divisions play a part in labelling certain behaviours as crimes and certain people as criminals or victims; the impact of power, politics and social inequalities in the management of crimes and criminal behaviour and the role of global, national and local social and political changes in influencing our understanding of, and our responses to crime, criminals and victims. You will be able to critically assess the effectiveness of both criminal justice and social policy and practice in delivering justice to every member of society regardless of their gender, race, sexuality or class. You will be independent, critical thinkers equipped to tackle complex problems and produce creative solutions through collaborative and participatory approaches in your working lives. By examining crime within this social policy framework, York students graduate with the knowledge and skills to work in a broad range of careers aimed at improving policy and practice in criminal justice - from policing to prisons - but also aimed at managing crime and social harm through wider changes in housing, health, education and welfare provision. The degree will equip you with the necessary critical thinking, communication and research skills to make you effective graduate employees within such arenas as local and central government; the law; research and the voluntary or charitable sectors.