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2019/20 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

LAW1065 Introduction to Criminal Justice

20 creditsClass Size: 90

Module manager: Dr Suzanne Young
Email: S.Young@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2019/20

Module replaces

LAW 1125 Criminal Justice System LAW 1175 Punishment and Society

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module examines the main institutions of the criminal justice system and provides an introduction to the use and methods of punishment in modern society. In so doing, the module introduces a number of key issues and debates relating to the operation of the criminal justice system and the punishment of offenders. This module is taught by lectures and seminars in semesters 1 and 2. The module is assessed by 1 formative court observation report and 1 summative portfolio.

Objectives

Learning outcomes
By the end of this module, students should be able to:
- demonstrate knowledge of the aims and operation of the criminal justice system;
- evaluate the use of different forms of punishment in the criminal justice system;
- reflect on the criminal justice system in practice against official objectives;
- utilise criminal justice research evidence to discuss contemporary issues facing the criminal justice system in England and Wales.


Syllabus

Lecture Outline

Semester 1
Criminal justice agencies and pre-conviction procedures
Mapping and understanding the Criminal Justice Process
Miscarriages of Justice and the Royal Commissions
Modelling the criminal justice process
Policing I: role, organisation and discretion
Policing II: occupational subculture
Police powers: Stop and Search
Investigating crime: the role of confessions and forensic evidence
Crown Prosecution Service
Defence Solicitors
Courts and the Trial Process
First term review.

Semester 2
Penal policy and the penal crisis
The penal crisis (?)
Penal philosophy and the justifications for punishment
Criminal justice strategies
Sentencing: is it the 'crux of the penal crisis'?
Sentencing reform and its impact
Imprisonment and the penal crisis
Responding to the prisons crisis: is privatisation the answer?
History of non-custodial punishment
Recent reform of non-custodial punishment: generic penalties and the introduction of NOMS
Module review and examination preparation.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Lecture221.0022.00
Seminar81.008.00
Private study hours170.00
Total Contact hours30.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Formative assessment of revision plans plus seminar attendance and contributions. The formative observation will be 1,000 words, based on visit to the magistrates’ court.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Portfolio3 x 1,000-word portfolio task100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 30/04/2019

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