This module is not currently running in 2024 to 2025.
This module is concerned with contemporary issues, developments, practices and research in criminal justice. In line with current policy developments it will address the connections between criminal justice policies and other policy developments and critically examine 'new' policy initiatives including such measures as community crime prevention; developments to involve and protect the victims of crime; moves towards broader conceptualisations of justice, including reconceptualisations of crime as social harm. The module examines contemporary policy developments in sentencing, domestic violence, racism in criminal justice practices, amongst other issues.
This module will be assessed 50% course work (two essays of between 2,000 and 2,500 words) and 50% three hour unseen exam.
The assignments will cover the following specific areas, which relate to the module's learning outcomes:
- Critically assess and evaluate the various CJS concepts, theories and provision.
- Critically evaluate how gender, age, ethnicity and social class affect the CJS
- Identify and gather appropriate library and web-based resources, make judgements about their merits and use the available evidence to construct an argument to be presented in writing
The exam will concentrate on the following issues, which relate to the module's specific learning outcomes:
- Critically assess and evaluate current CJS issues.
- Describe and evaluate concepts of violence and abuse.
BA (Hons) Criminal Justice Studies
This module will be assessed 50% course work (two essays of between 2,000 and 2,500 words) and 50% three hour unseen exam.
The assignments will cover the following specific areas, which relate to the module's learning outcomes:
- Critically assess and evaluate the various CJS concepts, theories and provision.
- Critically evaluate how gender, age, ethnicity and social class affect the CJS
- Identify and gather appropriate library and web-based resources, make judgements about their merits and use the available evidence to construct an argument to be presented in writing
The exam will concentrate on the following issues, which relate to the module's specific learning outcomes:
- Critically assess and evaluate current CJS issues.
- Describe and evaluate concepts of violence and abuse.
Cavadino, M. and Dignan, J. (2007) The Penal System: an introduction (4th edition) London: Sage Publications
Garland, D. (1990) Punishment and Modern Society: A Study in Social Theory, Oxford: Clarendon Press
M. Maguire, R. Morgan and R. Reiner (eds.) (2007) Oxford Handbook of Criminology (4th edition) Oxford: Oxford University
Melossi, D. (2008) Controlling Crime, Controlling Society Cambridge: Polity
Newburn, T. (ed.) (2009) Key Readings in Criminology Cullompton: Willan
See the library reading list for this module (Medway)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes and, as appropriate, their relationship
to programme learning outcomes
At the end of the module students will be able to:
- Critically evaluate contemporary criminal justice policies and developments.
- Have acquired an in depth understanding of the complexities of the way the criminal justice system operates and develops.
- Critically assess the key theories concerning gender, violence and abuse.
- Critically assess the competing theories of punishment and social control mechanisms.
- Describe and critically discuss key international policy developments around human rights.
- Identify and gather appropriate library and web-based resources, make judgements about their merits and use the available evidence to
construct an argument to be presented orally or in writing.
- The above relate to the subject specific outcomes of the BA (Hon) Criminal Justice Studies, as set out in Section 12 of the Programme
Specific Specifications, sections A, 1,2,3,4,5, 6, 7,8,9,10,11 and C, 1,2,3,5,7,8.
The intended generic learning outcomes and, as appropriate, their relationship to
programme learning outcomes
At the end of the module successful students will also have developed skills in:
- Be able to synthesise items of knowledge from different schools and disciplines of enquiry. (Key skill 6)
- Advancing existing skills in regard to the organisation of information in a clear and coherent manner, through essay writing, and seminar
based group discussion of completed essays. (Key skills 1 & 5)
- Communicating, in terms of organising information in a clear and coherent way, responding to written sources and presenting information
orally. ( Key Skills 1, 4 & 6)
- Conducting basic research by using library, e-journals and other on-line resources. ( Key skill 3)
- Demonstrating a rudimentary understanding of theory and research to the solution of problems.
- Analysing and utilisation of basic statistical data drawn from research and official sources at a rudimentary level. (Key skills 2 & 3-
application of number.)
- This module will link the specific outcomes as outlined in sections B & D with specific reference to B1, 2,3,4,5, 6 and D1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6.
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