Criminology combines very well with media and cultural studies, which are topics you cover on our BA Criminology and the Media (including Year Abroad), as well as having an opportunity to spend your third year abroad. In your first-year, you take Introduction to Crime, Law and Society and Introduction to Media, Culture and Society. You also take Sociology and the Modern World, which explores how social scientists have theorised major social changes. Optional modules include: Researching Social Life; Sociology of the New Europe; Introduction to Politics; Introduction to Management and Discovering Psychology. In your second and fourth years, you take a combination of criminology and media modules. We teach through large-group lectures and smaller-group seminars and classes. You contribute in many ways, for example, by analysing set readings, giving presentations or completing research tasks. Some modules have their own websites where you can download powerpoints and podcasts, and contribute to online discussions. One module - Crime, Policy and Social Justice – requires you to undertake consultancy-style evaluations of real-world criminal justice practice. You also have the opportunity to develop additional practical skills outside your formal studies by getting involved in vibrant student-led media, including our campus-based newspaper, radio-station and specialist websites. Criminologists study crime, criminals and criminal justice within wider social contexts. They engage with some of the most pressing issues, decisions and dilemmas facing societies today like: how should we prevent crime? How and why should we punish? How does criminal justice connect with social justice? The mass media is a major source of public (mis)information about crime. Crime dominates our cultural lives as the subject of many TV programmes, novels, films, computer games and websites. Crime control agencies make increasing use of interactive communications strategies such as CCTV, digital databases and geo-mapping. Our course is taught by our criminologists and media experts within our leading Department of Sociology, who are experts in crime and the media, youth crime, prison, terrorism, policing, drugs, gender and crime, trafficking and human rights. Our media and cultural studies staff specialities include digital cultures, global film, the creative industries, advertising and media history. This course can lead to a career in the criminal justice system or in other areas such as the media, project management, policy evaluation or lobbying.

As an Essex criminology graduate, you can use the skills and knowledge gained from your degree to pursue a range of fulfilling careers. Our courses offer you a robust academic training that includes research methods, critical analysis and presentation skills. These skills can be supplemented by the excellent academic and employability training provided by our resource officer, and by taking the volunteering and work placement opportunities offered within our Department. Our Criminology Centre, due to open in 2012, will enable us to expand our current links with outside agencies and negotiate work placements for undergraduate students. Careers linked to criminology are varied. Our courses provide an excellent training for work within the criminal justice system, for example, as community safety officers, risk assessors, court managers, researchers, paralegals, police officers, probation officers and youth workers. Some students opt for specialist postgraduate programmes linked to law, teaching, social work, counselling or academic research (here we offer our own Masters and PhD opportunities in criminology and related disciplines, such as sociology, human rights and psychoanalytic studies). Others have moved into journalism or professional positions within the voluntary sector, such as fund-raisers and project managers. Our staff’s links with many of these organisations can help our students to network effectively at local, national and international level.