This joint course gives you the opportunity to explore the complexities of the world we live in through in-depth study of concepts, themes and perspectives relating to Sociology and Criminology/Criminal Justice. You will investigate social life, society and social intuitions, and examine theories and evidence relating to crime, offending behaviour, victimisation, social control, punishment and crime prevention. By understanding the social world, we gain a better understanding of ourselves and our own social situations.

Sociology investigates social life and the way it shapes people’s behaviour, beliefs and identity. Its subject matter ranges from an examination of the face-to-face interactions of daily life, to large-scale social institutions, social movements and global processes. By understanding the social world, we gain a better understanding of ourselves and our own social situations.

Sociology may also be studied through the medium of Welsh in the course BA Sociology and Social Policy (Welsh Medium).

Criminology examines theories and evidence relating to crime, criminals and victims, while Criminal Justice studies explore the various responses to crime, and victims, from informal to formal legislative measures of social control and crime prevention, and examine the way in which the criminal justice system works - from policing through to imprisonment.

By combining both areas of academic study students are informed of the key challenges in understanding and controlling criminal behaviour and will be able to locate these matters in the wider perspective of the study of society, and also to better understand the workings of society through the prism of looking at criminology and criminal justice in particular.

Why choose Bangor University for this course?

• Our teaching and research encompass Welsh, UK and international perspectives.
• Staff expertise enables you to critically engage and explore these two challenging and exciting disciplines.
• Our links with employers and agencies.
• Visiting speakers bring additional insights and enhances the learning experience.
• The course provides a sound foundation for a wide range of careers (e.g. in the media, administration, community work, policing, the prison service).

This joint honours degree combines the core elements of two programmes enabling students to learn the fundamentals of either discipline. You will learn through a variety of ways. You will attend weekly lectures where expert knowledge will be conveyed using power-point slides, videos and question-and-answer periods. You will engage in seminars for which you might be asked to read a scholarly article in preparation, and you will engage in guided class discussions. Occasionally there will be guest speakers including from other universities in other parts of the world. You will conduct your own research in preparation for your assignments. Assignments will be aligned with the teaching on the module. Assignments can include traditional essays as well as other approaches including presentations.

Graduates on the Sociology and Criminology and Criminal Justice degree have a wide range of career pathways they can explore. Within the criminal justice system there is work in several different areas to consider such as a police officer, prison or probation officer, working in immigration control and youth justice. Like all other social science graduates, students will be able to access a wealth of career options within the policy and social field including public housing, civil service, health service, management, local government administration, education, public relations, and the voluntary sector. Beyond this, though, graduates are appreciated by employers in practically any field of work as specialists for the general: you will have learned to think about anything in a societal perspective. You will have developed your ‘sociological imagination’, a sense for how fellow members of society are likely to see you, themselves and the social world. Many would say this is the most important skill to have in any occupation, as well as in life generally. Students can also go on to study at postgraduate level on one of our many MA courses.

Sociology allows you to investigate social life and the way it shapes our behaviour, beliefs and identity. By studying Social Policy, you’ll be looking at social relations and systems that maintain and promote human wellbeing.