Sociology and Criminology with Placement Year

University of Reading

This programme will equip you with the knowledge and skills to make sense of contemporary societies and how they are changing, with a particular focus on crime and criminal justice. In Sociology, you will study the social processes which shape individuals, social groups, and social institutions and which underpin social order and social change. You will learn to connect key theoretical and conceptual ideas to core dimensions of social differentiation such as gender, class, and race, as well as age, sexuality, education, and more. In Criminology, you will develop knowledge of a range of criminological concepts, approaches, and methodologies, supporting you to develop a critical understanding of processes of criminalisation and victimisation, the causes and organisation of crime, crime management and prevention, the interrelationship between crime, social inequalities, and rights, punishment, and media representations of crime.Interactive small group teaching is central to the programme. Through discussion and debate, you will deepen your understanding of how we, as individuals and groups, are shaped by the societies we live in, and how they, in turn, shape us. You will also gain an appreciation of the complex and contested nature of social problems and proposed policy solutions.Studying Sociology will equip you with a wide range of social scientific skills, including analysing date and evidence from diverse sources, developing persuasive arguments, and communicating these effectively. This will prepare you for a wide range of potential careers in local and central government and in the charitable and commercial sectors.

Department of Politics and International Relations