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SP20050: Sociology of criminal justice policy

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2014/5
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Social & Policy Sciences
Further information on credits Credits: 6
Further information on unit levels Level: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Further information on teaching periods Period: Semester 1
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: CW 100%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Coursework Essay (100%) (CW 100%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites:
Further information on descriptions Description: Aims:

* To introduce students to contemporary contradictions and dilemmas in Criminal Justice Policy as indicated by recent research;
* To examine both policy and research in their economic, ideological and political contexts;
* To analyse key theoretical debates on criminal justice policy and practice in the UK.

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the unit, students should be able to:
* Outline and analyse key theoretical debates on criminal justice policy and practice in the UK;
* Account for trends in criminal policy and competing understandings of what constitutes justice;
* Analyse contemporary debates on the politics of criminal justice;
* Critically assess debates on sentencing;
* Understand and critically think about the different roles of victims in crime in the criminal justice system.

Skills:

* To think creatively and analytically.
* To communicate an argument.
* To evaluate others' arguments and research.
* To learn independently and be able to assess own learning needs (i.e. identify strengths and improve weaknesses in methods of learning and studying).
* To place local debates within an international and global context.
* To critically evaluate and assess research and evidence as well as a variety of other information.
* To gather information, data, research and literature from a number of different sources (i.e. library, web-based, archives etc.).
* To select appropriate and relevant information from a wide source and large body of knowledge.
* To synthesise information from a number of sources in order to gain a coherent understanding.
* To develop study and learning skills (note taking, avoiding plagiarism, using the library, gathering and using information, constructing a bibliography, referencing)
* To develop basic Information and Computing Technology skills (word processing, email, using the web to search for information)
* To develop essay research, preparation and writing skills
* To construct a bibliography
* To develop time-management and administrative skills
* To develop communication and debating skills
* To reflect upon his/her own academic and professional performance and take responsibility for personal and professional learning and development.

Content:
Criminal justice policy and practice in the UK; trends in criminal policy; the political and organisational contexts of criminal justice; courts, sentencing, policing; what should be done about: rape, victims of crime; racism and criminal justice; youth and criminal justice.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

SP20050 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Social & Policy Sciences

SP20050 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Psychology Department of Social & Policy Sciences
  • UHSP-AFB14 : BSc(Hons) Applied Social Studies (Year 3)
  • UHSP-AFB16 : BSc(Hons) Social Policy (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AFB16 : BSc(Hons) Social Policy (Year 3)
  • UHSP-AKB16 : BSc(Hons) Social Policy with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AKB16 : BSc(Hons) Social Policy with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UHSP-AFB05 : BSc(Hons) Social Sciences (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AFB05 : BSc(Hons) Social Sciences (Year 3)
  • UHSP-AKB05 : BSc(Hons) Social Sciences with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AKB05 : BSc(Hons) Social Sciences with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UHSP-AFB04 : BSc(Hons) Sociology (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AFB04 : BSc(Hons) Sociology (Year 3)
  • UHSP-AKB04 : BSc(Hons) Sociology with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AKB04 : BSc(Hons) Sociology with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UHSP-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Sociology and Social Policy (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Sociology and Social Policy (Year 3)
  • UHSP-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Sociology and Social Policy with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Sociology and Social Policy with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UHSP-AKB11 : BSc(Hons) Sociology with Human Resource Management with Year long work placement (Year 4)

Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2014/15 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2015/16 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2014/15.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.