Module Information
Module Identifier
LA36320
Module Title
Criminal Justice and the Penal System
Academic Year
2017/2018
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1
Other Staff
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 10 x 2 Hour Lectures |
| Lecture | 10 x 1 Hour Lectures |
| Seminar | 3 x 2 Hour Seminars |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Exam | 2 Hours Exam (Seen). Candidates are not permitted to bring any books, notes or any other materials into the examination. | 100% |
| Supplementary Exam | 2 Hours Exam (Seen). Candidates are not permitted to bring any books, notes or any other materials into the examination. | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
The course will teach and develop :
- the ability to locate relevant materials and to select information from a range of sources.
- knowledge and understanding of the law, policies and theories which shape the criminal justice and the penal systems.
- an understanding of the key concepts of the subject and the methods of evaluating the operation of the system.
- an understanding of the social background and wider context of criminal justice.
- the ability to analyse data.
- a wider experience in the methodology of the social sciences.
- the ability to engage in rigorous debate and the presentation of logical and balanced argument.
- critical study of the effectiveness of law.
Brief description
Criminal Justice is a discrete discipline that encompasses the fields of law and criminology and looks at the legal procedures and institutions that give effect to the system of criminal law. The three key areas of the criminal justice system are police, courts (including sentencing) and corrections.
Criminal justice broadly considers the enforcement of laws, investigation and prosecution of criminal conduct, court procedures and sentencing, and the implementation of punitive measures. This amounts to a large body of policy, law and practice that provides the context within which the criminal law operates.
The course aims to provide students with a broad but comprehensive view of the criminal justice system, considering all three key areas and drawing on a range of materials within law and the social sciences, legislation and case law, empirical research, statistical data, and comparative studies.
Although criminal justice is a discrete discipline there is an interdisciplinary element that will broaden the experience of the student of law, while making the study of some areas of the legal system accessible to students of other disciplines.
More generally the module aims to enhance students’ ability to engage critically and analytically with relevant materials, participate in informed discussion, and prepare reasoned arguments through the development of research skills.
Criminal justice broadly considers the enforcement of laws, investigation and prosecution of criminal conduct, court procedures and sentencing, and the implementation of punitive measures. This amounts to a large body of policy, law and practice that provides the context within which the criminal law operates.
The course aims to provide students with a broad but comprehensive view of the criminal justice system, considering all three key areas and drawing on a range of materials within law and the social sciences, legislation and case law, empirical research, statistical data, and comparative studies.
Although criminal justice is a discrete discipline there is an interdisciplinary element that will broaden the experience of the student of law, while making the study of some areas of the legal system accessible to students of other disciplines.
More generally the module aims to enhance students’ ability to engage critically and analytically with relevant materials, participate in informed discussion, and prepare reasoned arguments through the development of research skills.
Aims
More generally, the module aims to prepare students for a working environment by enhancing their ability to engage in analytical and critical debate and developing research skills both in the library and through the use of new technologies. More particularly, the module will develop an appreciation of the role of law in dealing with social delinquency and an understanding of the means of measuring and testing the effectiveness of legal responses to the problems of crime.
Content
Introduction to Criminal Justice
Police discretion
Policing theories
PACE/police powers
Police Accountability
Prosecutorial discretion
Courts
Juries
Aims of punishment/sentencing
Sentencing
Goffman’s total institutions
Prisons
Prisonization
Prison Overcrowding
Prison privatization
Inmates’ Rights
Special Topics
Review
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6