Crime and Criminal Management (Justice) - Why the Chicago 7 made it to Netflix

The legal profession is one of the foundations of society, with law a popular degree choice for many. However, what options are open to you if you don’t want to practice law in a traditional sense, but still want to pursue a career injustice?

Criminology and Criminal Justice Courses

Criminology, the study of crime and deviant behaviour, has a focus on why people commit crimes and considers sociology and economic considerations and delves into psychology, philosophy, psychiatry, biology and law to look for answers.

Criminal justice is concerned with the delivery of justice to the accused and the criminal justice system in which crimes are tried. At the University of Bolton, the BA (Hons) Crime and Criminal Justice course delivered by the School of Law will help you to develop your problem-solving skills and reasoning so that you can put theory into practice. Part of the Crime and Criminal Justice discipline relates to how the justice system works - you may be called upon to decide if the legal process has worked as it should or if there has been a miscarriage of justice.

The Trial of the Chicago 7

Arrived on Netflix in 2020 to great acclaim, ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’ may have been a historical legal drama but the issues it raised were just as important in the US in 2020 as they had been in 1968.

Stars included Succession’s Jeremy Strong, Sasha Baron Cohen and Eddie Redmayne. The Chicago Seven were a group of anti–Vietnam War protesters charged with conspiracy of inciting riots at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in 1968. Several youth groups had planned democratic protests at the convention, which is where the Democrats were planning to select their candidates for the 1968 presidential election. Protest permits were refused by Chicago’s Mayor and, with thousands of police and army on the ground, the protests descended into riots. Arrested under the Rap Brown law (or Anti-Riot Act), the seven were accused of crossing state lines to incite rioting.

At the heart of the criminal justice system is the word of the law and this film looks closely at how the law can be interpreted and misinterpreted. The Rap Brown law was also used during more recent Black Lives Matter protests too.

Becoming A Part of the System

Criminal justice courses at universities offer students the opportunity to understand the legal system and develop their own understanding of how they can uphold the law and the justice system. It’s a deeply interesting and rewarding degree as you spend time working with law enforcement agencies to ensure that the law is working as it should.

The legal system is something that touches everyone at some point in their lives and the BA (Hons) Crime and Criminal Justice at the University of Bolton lets you work to improve the outcomes for both the accused and the victim.

Supportive and Experienced Lecturers

Our small class sizes at Bolton mean that you will be able to get the support you need from your experienced lecturers and, from them, learn the refined decision-making skills that are so important when dealing with the lives of others. It’s one of the reasons that we’ve ranked No.1 for Student Satisfaction* for the past four years.

As well as time spent in the classroom, you will also be encouraged to take volunteer and training opportunities with organisations, such as Home Office Immigration, UK Border Force, Policing, Probation, Prison and Victim Services. Suitable graduate positions include:

Community development worker

Police officer

Prison officer

Probation officer

Social worker

Youth worker

Bolton - #UniAsItShouldBe

Our friendly campus is compact and easy to navigate, which adds to the vibrant and inclusive atmosphere you’ll experience. A short train ride into Manchester city centre, there’s plenty of sport, culture, and leisure within easy reach. Bolton town centre is only a few minutes off-campus. Join us at the University of Bolton in Greater Manchester. Come and enjoy #UniAsItShouldBe.

*Complete University Guide 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019 - North West