In this course you explore what crime means in our culture and society and how it affects our lives. This course challenges your existing opinions about the nature of crime and disorder and learns to evaluate evidence, think critically and craft arguments – attributes valued by employers. After a core introduction to Sociology and Criminology you can tailor your degree to your developing specialist interests. From Year Two onward, formal assessments contribute toward your degree. In your third year, your 10,000-word dissertation focuses on a specific crime-related topic of your choice. Assessments range from research essays, to collaborative projects, to open-note examinations. On completion of this course many of our students organise work placements out of term time, for example at North Yorkshire Youth Commission, York Crown Court and Refugee Action York. We encourage you to do this so you can gain workplace experience and a deeper insight into issues that interest you.