You will examine how crime, deviance, and harm are constructed within societies, as well as a breadth of theories about why people commit crimes and harms. You will explore the arguments for different forms of punishment, and discover how, why and when societies punish deviant behaviours.

You will analyse the big contemporary challenges of society and the criminal justice system, including why crimes of the powerful, such as corporations or national leaders, often evade punishment. You will learn from experienced researchers about the experiences of young people in the criminal justice system as well as the lived realities of people in the adult prisons estate. You will analyse the roles of different individuals, agencies and processes within the criminal justice system and explore the differential treatment of people with attention given to race, socio-economic inequality and mental health, and the often challenging experiences of victims, particularly of violent crimes. Case studies will draw on international, national and local criminal cases to explore the challenges of securing justice, including exploring some of the key historical and contemporary cases local to Chester. You will develop knowledge and skills relevant to roles in the criminal justice system and beyond, with teaching and assessments focussed on developing your plans for graduate success.

You will explore the influence of both traditional and contemporary media platforms on societal views of crime, deviance, inequality, mental health and politics as well as other key social issues. You will examine key academic literature and theories, learning to critically analyse concepts such as agenda-setting, news values, and media framing, as well as influential models like Chomsky and Herman's propaganda model and moral panic theory. You will discover the evolution of media, from its historical roots to the complex world of social media, examining the power dynamics in media ownership, the regulatory landscape, and the framing of social issues. Through case studies, you will apply your learning to real-world examples, understanding how media representations impact public opinion and influence policy on topics like mental health, poverty, welfare, and crime. This module is essential for anyone interested in understanding the major impact of media on society and social change.

Chinese: Intermediate Language Development (20 Credits) Option

This module is designed for students who have completed GCSE in Chinese or equivalent. You will further develop your grammar, vocabulary and learning conventions for spelling and pronunciation. You will work with written and recorded texts on a range of cultural, personal and social topics and will develop oral and written communication skills at an intermediate level.

French: Communication in Practice (20 Credits) Option

This module is designed for students that have completed A-Level or equivalent in French. You will further develop your grammar, vocabulary and expression and apply these to real world situations. You will work with written and recorded texts on a range of cultural, personal and social topics and will develop your oral and written communication skills at Post-A level.

French: Intermediate Language Development (20 Credits) Option

This module is designed for students who have completed GCSE or equivalent in French. You will further develop your grammar, vocabulary and learning conventions for spelling and pronunciation. You will work with written and recorded texts on a range of cultural, personal and social topics and will develop oral and written communication skills at an intermediate level.

German: Communication in Practice (20 Credits) Option

This module enables students with A-Level German or equivalent to further develop their grammar, vocabulary and expression and apply these to real world situations. You will work with written and recorded texts on a range of cultural, personal and social topics and will develop your oral and written communication skills at Post-A level.

Spanish: Communication in Practice (20 Credits) Option

This module is designed for students that have completed a A-Level or equivalent in Spanish. You will further develop your grammar, vocabulary and expression and apply these to real world situations. You will work with written and recorded texts on a range of cultural, personal and social topics and will develop oral and written communication skills at Post-A level.

Spanish: Intermediate Language Development (20 Credits) Option

This module is designed for students that have completed GCSE or equivalent in Spanish. You will further develop your grammar, vocabulary and learning conventions for spelling and pronunciation. You will work with written and recorded texts on a range of cultural, personal and social topics and will develop oral and written communication skills at an intermediate level.

Subsidiary Language for Beginners (20 Credits) Option

This module provides the opportunity to study a new language from scratch and introduces you to basic grammar, vocabulary and cultural contexts. You will apply the language to practical situations using both oral and written skills.