BSc (Hons) Psychosocial Analysis of Offending Behaviour
We’re looking forward to welcoming you to the School of Law, Criminology & Policing. Before you join us for your BSc (Hons) Psychosocial Analysis of Offending Behaviour (PAOB) degree, we’ve gathered together a range of course related activities to help you feel prepared for your university studies. These include suggested reading, useful websites and some great things to do right now. Read on to find out more.
Suggested texts
You’ll be given far more information about which textbooks to read and introduced to the University Library, as well as the many ebooks we have for you to access when you begin your studies. And we don’t recommend rushing out to buy texts before you arrive. But if you can pick up a second hand copy, borrow from a library, or access online, we suggest the following:
- Case, S (2021) Youth Justice: A Critical Introduction, London. Routledge.
- Hall, S. and Winlow, S. (2012) (eds). New Directions in Criminological Theory. Routledge.
- Howitt, D (2015) Introduction to Forensic and Criminal Psychology ( 5thEdition). Harlow: Pearson.
- Muncie, J (2009) Youth & Crime (3rdEdition) London: Sage.
- Taylor, P. Morley, S. and Powell, J. (eds) (2020) Mental Health and Punishments: Critical Perspectives in Theory and Practice. Abingdon: Routledge.
- Trebilcock J and Weston S (2020) Mental Health and Offending. Care, Coercion and control. London: Routledge
These books are chosen to be accessible, but please don’t worry if you find some of the language or ideas challenging. They are meant to be. A dictionary can be an invaluable friend. Keep reading and you will develop your knowledge and vocabulary. Jot down the bits that you find the most challenging and/or interesting and your tutors will be delighted to talk with you about them when you arrive.
Useful websites to visit
Things to do now
There are several things which you can do to start to prepare for your studies over the summer months and anything which stimulates your thinking about how we in the UK respond to crime would be useful. Keeping up to date with current news is vital throughout your studies and professional life.
Some other things to do over the summer include:
Join our community
Follow our School and our student societies on social media so that you can start connecting with your colleagues and chat to current students about their experiences.
Connect with us on LinkedIn
LinkedIn is the largest professional networking site with over 610 million members worldwide. It is very useful for networking and securing opportunities.
Find advice on creating a LinkedIn profile.
Once you have created your profile, join our School group and connect with your lecturers and your colleagues, along with employers as you progress through your degree so that you gradually build your network.
Prepare for your academic studies
- Reading is at the core of doing a degree programme, however, this does not mean exclusively academic reading. Creative writing, biographies etc. can also provide useful insights to supplement your academic reading.
- Film and documentaries can also be a rich source of information, however, be critical in your viewing, just because it appears on a channel purporting to focus on the ‘facts’ regarding crime doesn’t mean it does. Much of it should be seen for what it is, entertainment.
Think of the future
Beginning your degree is the first step on your career journey and it is never too early to start thinking about your future career.
Within our School we have a dedicated careers advisor – Emma Bonati – who is on hand to help you with all things career related. Emma and the Careers Team can assist with matters such as: developing a CV, writing a job application, securing part-time work etc.
Before you join us in September, start to get familiar with the Edge Hill Careers Team. You can also follow them on socials for regular updates: @ehucareers
It may also be useful to browse some career websites such as Prospects and Target Jobs.
If you are unsure of where your degree can take you – don’t worry. Your Personal Tutor, lecturers, the Careers Team and the Work Placements Team are all here to offer advice and support to help you on your journey and throughout your studies. You will be invited to numerous workshops, panel events and careers fairs where you can interact with employers, build connections and learn about possible career pathways.
Think about volunteering
Volunteering is a valuable way to not only achieve personal development but also to build transferable and specific skills sought by employers. Find more advice on volunteering.