BASS Social Anthropology and Philosophy

This course explores psychological approaches to understanding crime and anti-social behaviour.

Indicative content: (1) Introduction: Psychology, Crime, Criminology; (2) Evolutionary psychology (3) Heredity; (4) The Brain; (5) Personality; (6) Development; (7) Learning; (8) Cognition; (9) Situations; (10) Course summary.

This course unit aims to (1) introduce the discipline of psychology as it applies to the study of crime and criminal justice; (2) explore the contribution of psychology to the explanation, prediction and reduction of crime; (3) critically appreciate the strengths and limitations of the featured approaches and literature; (4) develop transferable communications and metacognitive skills, as well as subject-relevant knowledge and understanding.

On completion of this unit successful students will be able to: (1) assess the contemporary relevance of psychology to criminology & criminal justice; (2) demonstrate knowledge of a number of psychological theories relevant to understanding crime; (3) think independently and work collaboratively with increased confidence.

Teaching and learning across course units consists of: (1) preparatory work to be completed prior to teaching sessions, including readings, pre-recorded subject material and online activities; (2) a weekly whole-class lecture or workshop; (3) a tutorial; and (4) one-to-one support via subject specific office hours.

Formative feedback (both individual and collective) will be given on (1) on tasks and contribution in class, (2) draft portfolio entries. Summative feedback – a mark contextualised by class-level notes on what constitutes a good response - will be given on the submitted learning portfolio via Blackboard (Grademark).

Wortley R (2011). Psychological Criminology. London: Routledge.

Across their course units each semester, full-time students are expected to devote a ‘working week’ of around 30-35 hours to study. Accordingly each course unit demands around 10-11 hours of study per week consisting of (i) 3 timetabled teacher-led hours, (ii) 7-8 independent study hours devoted to preparation, required and further reading, and note taking.

Information: Core for year one BA (Criminology) and BA (Criminology) International Study students. Also available to non-Criminology students as a free choice option.  This course is available to incoming study abroad students.

Pre-requisites: None.

Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2027 will be £10,050 per annum. Tuition fees for international students will be £29,200 per annum.

For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

Scholarships and bursaries, including the Manchester Bursary , are available to eligible home/EU students.

Some undergraduate UK students will receive bursaries of up to £2,000 per year, in addition to the government package of maintenance grants.

You can get information and advice on student finance to help you manage your money.