COURSE CURRICULUM

The BSc Sociology and Criminology degree at University of Reading provides an integrated understanding of society, inequality, and criminal justice through sociological and criminological perspectives. In the first year, students study core modules such as Thinking Sociologically, which introduces key theoretical approaches including positivism, interpretivism, and feminism, alongside Gender, Race, and Class, which examines social stratification and inequality. They also study British Society, exploring post-war social change, multiculturalism, media, and class structures, as well as Introduction to Criminology and Introduction to Criminal Justice, which establish foundational knowledge of crime, punishment, and justice systems. In the second year, students deepen their understanding through Research Methods, Sociological Theory, Advanced Criminological Theory, and Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice. These modules develop critical awareness of how societies are studied, how theories explain inequality and power, and how criminal justice systems respond to social change and policy challenges. In the final year, students complete either a Sociology or Criminology dissertation, conducting independent research on a topic of their choice with academic supervision. The programme develops strong analytical, theoretical, and research skills, enabling students to critically examine the relationship between crime, society, inequality, and governance, and preparing them for careers in social research, policy, criminal justice, and related fields.