Criminal Justice

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• Key topical developments in criminal justice and related theoretical concepts.
• the nature and functions of criminal justice institutions and the broader context in which they operate;
• the historical development of key criminal justice institutions;

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• construct and defend an argument and communicate in writing;
• distinguish relevant from irrelevant materials;
• locate and analyse relevant primary and secondary resources;
• conduct a piece of self-directed independent research in a specific area under pressure of time.

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• analyse the strengths and weaknesses of arguments for alternative approaches to criminal justice.
• define and critically evaluate the impact of trends such as the 'rise of risk' and the rise of 'penal populism' on criminal justice;
• describe and critically assess the nature and functions of key criminal justice institutions;

The precise content of the module will be influenced by the teaching team’s ongoing research and topical developments of the day.

The following is an indicative list of module content:

• What is the purpose of the criminal justice system?
• Policing
• Prisons
• Probation
• Sentencing
• Parole
• Risk and criminal justice
• Penal populism

Teaching methods include:

Lectures

The lectures will provide you with an overview of each substantive topic, highlighting key issues. Reading lists provided in advance will outline critical issues, required reading, questions and guidance for further study.

Tutorials

Tutorials will provide you with an opportunity to address specific criminal justice practices, institutions and issues relevant to the module in greater detail.

Learning activities include:

• Directed Reading (as per distributed reading lists)
• Preparing and writing formative coursework, with critical self-reflection on your own performance throughout this process.
• Preparation for lectures
• Participating in class discussion, including small group work

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Essay

• Assessment Type: Formative
• Feedback: You will receive individual written feedback, as well as general feedback on the assignment.
• Final Assessment: No
• Group Work: No

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.