Criminal Justice Studies

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• You will have further developed your analytic skills through critical engagement with different theoretical and empirical approaches.
• Knowledge and understanding of how the criminal justice system contributes to a sense of public security, individual well-being and state legitimacy.
• You will be better able to evaluate the appropriateness of different models of justice.
• Knowledge and understanding of the characteristics of the criminal justice system in England and Wales.
• You will have broadened your understanding of criminal justice as a tool for thinking about policy creation.
• Have improved your ability to evaluate key concepts and arguments.
• Knowledge and understanding of the main changes to criminal justice philosophy and practice currently taking place in England and Wales.
• Knowledge and understanding of the criminal justice process.
• Knowledge and understanding of ifferent theoretical approaches explaining the logics and dynamics of criminal justice.

This module will introduce students to the key aspects of the criminal justice system and examines how it operates in relation to theory and context. Critical questions that will frame the module include:

• What forces shape and drive the criminal justice system?
• What are the values and philosophies that inform its operation?
• How is it adapting to new circumstances ?
• What are the key ethical issues and controversies facing the criminal justice system?
• How is criminal justice related to broader conceptions of social justice?

Teaching and learning methods

Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding, and be able to appreciate and explain:

• the criminal justice process
• different theoretical approaches explaining the logics and dynamics of criminal justice
• the characteristics of the criminal justice system in England and Wales
• how the criminal justice system contributes to a sense of public security, individual well-being and state legitimacy
• the main changes to criminal justice philosophy and practice currently taking place in England and Wales
• Cognitive (thinking) skills

Having successfully completed the module, you will:

• have improved your ability to evaluate key concepts and arguments

Key transferable skills

Having successfully completed the module:

• you will have further developed your analytic skills through critical engagement with different theoretical and empirical approaches
• you will be better able to evaluate the appropriateness of different models of justice
• you will have broadened your understanding of criminal justice as a tool for thinking about policy creation

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Malcolm Davies, Hazel Croall & Jane Tyrer, (2010). Criminal Justice: An Introduction to the CriminalJustice System in England and Wales.

Joyce, P (2006). Criminal Justice: An Introduction: An Introduction to Crime and the Criminal JusticeSystem. Devon: Willan Publishing.

Assessment strategy

The course will be assessed in two ways - through a 2000 word paper due in approximately Week 6 and a two hour exam in the end of academic year exam period.

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 Information

Repeat type: Internal & External