Criminology and Social Policy

Here in the Department of Social Sciences at Loughborough University students study criminology as an area of social policy. Social policy touches all our lives. It is about improving the welfare of all citizens and in particular meeting the needs of those who cannot provide for themselves. It addresses social issues such as immigration control and sex education, and social problems such as drug misuse, domestic violence and poverty. Crime is a social problem that affects us all, directly or indirectly. Studying criminology and social policy together will enable you to make the connections between crime and other social issues. It will give you a deeper understanding of the society in which you live and of how it is affected by crime and deviance.

Criminology and Social Policy is about

Understanding crime, its causes and prevention.

Exploring the links between crime and society’s responses to criminality

Knowing about the work of the police, the courts, the prisons and other criminal justice agencies.

Alleviating social problems (e.g. drug misuse, teenage pregnancy, domestic violence, poverty).

Addressing social issues (e.g. sex education, immigration control).

Giving recognition to disadvantaged and minority groups.

Creating equal opportunity.

Understanding criminal justice policy.

Exploring the links between crime and social policy.