2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
LAW2420 Youth Crime and Justice
20 creditsClass Size: 90
Module manager: Dr Richard Peake
Email: R.Peake@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2017/18
This module is mutually exclusive with
| LLLC2062 | Young People, Crime and Policy Responses |
This module is approved as a discovery module
Module summary
This module explores the nature and extent of youth crime and the sources of our knowledge about youth offending and its prevention. It considers social and legal constructions of youth as well as children and young people as victims. It provides an analysis of the youth justice system in England and Wales and contemporary youth justice debates.This module is taught by lectures and seminars in semesters 1 and 2. Assessment is by one 3,000 word essay due in January and a portfolio of tasks (2,000 words) based on four seminar tasks in semester 2.Objectives
On completion of this module, students should:- be able to understand explanations of youth crime
- have a good knowledge of the youth justice system
- have an understanding of children and young people as suspects and offenders in the youth justice process
- be able to understand children's and young people's experiences as victims
- be able to reflect critically on the nature and social consequences of youth offending and youth justice
Syllabus
This course will explore the nature and extent of youth crime and the sources of our knowledge about youth offending. It will consider different explanations of youth crime and its prevention. It will also examine contemporary knowledge about children and young people as victims. It will provide an overview of children's rights in the context of crime and criminal justice. The youth justice system in England and Wales will be outlined and evaluated from policing, through the cautioning/final warning system to pre-trial procedures and processes and the operation of the Youth Court. Children and young people will also be considered as witnesses in court. The sentencing system for young people will be considered including the role of Youth Offending Teams, community sentences, custodial sentences and youth offender institutions. The relevance of restorative justice as a response to youth offending will be examined. Consideration will be given to different approaches to youth justice provided by other jurisdictions. Throughout the course issues of age, gender and race will be explored through the lens of youth crime and justice.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Lecture | 22 | 1.00 | 22.00 |
| Seminar | 8 | 1.00 | 8.00 |
| Private study hours | 170.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 30.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200.00 | ||
Private study
66 hours: Reading selected materials for lectures @ 3 hours per lecture;32 hours: Preparing for seminars @ 4 hours per seminar;
72 hours: Preparation for essay and tasks.
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Essay and seminar performanceMethods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Essay | 1 x 3,000 words | 60.00 |
| Portfolio | 4 x tasks 500 words (total 2,000 words) completed incrementally | 40.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100.00 | |
Four of the seminars (seminars 5-8) will be devoted to the portfolio of tasks - one per seminar.
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 14/05/2015
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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