This course has been designed, and will be delivered by, a dynamic team of international scholars with globally-recognised expertise in Criminology, Criminal Justice and Social Policy in an inclusive learning environment to provide you with a critical understanding of contemporary theories, issues and debates in criminology, criminal justice and social and penal policy. This course will provide you with a cutting-edge understanding of the individual, relational, cultural and structural factors that intersect with, and underpin, offending and related social issues, locally and globally, drawing on critical arguments, theories and debates at the forefront of criminology and criminal justice, social and penal policy and practice. It will equip you with an understanding of social science research methods and skills which will enhance your research skills and enable you to undertake an independent research project on a topic of your choice.