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SP20050: Sociology of criminal justice policy

[Page last updated: 01 August 2022]

Academic Year: 2022/23
Owning Department/School: Department of Social & Policy Sciences
Credits: 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 120
Level: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Period:
Semester 1
Assessment Summary: CW 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • Policy Brief 100% (CW 100%)
Supplementary Assessment:
SP20050C - Reassessment Policy Brief 100% (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: By the end of the unit, students should be able to:
* Outline and analyse key theoretical debates on criminal justice policy and practice in the UK;
* Account for trends in criminal policy and practice;
* Analyse contemporary debates on the politics of criminal justice;
* Understand how individuals (policy entrepreneurs), campaigns and organizations attempt to influence and change criminal justice policy and practice.

Aims:
* To introduce students to contemporary contradictions and dilemmas in criminal justice policy as indicated by recent research and practice;
* To examine both policy and research in their economic, ideological and political contexts;
* To analyse key theoretical and practice debates on criminal justice policy in the UK.

Skills:
* To write a policy brief.
* To think creatively and analytically.
* To communicate an argument.
* To evaluate others' arguments and research.
* To learn independently and be able to assess own learning needs (i.e. identify strengths and improve weaknesses in methods of learning and studying).
* To place local debates within an international and global context.
* To critically evaluate and assess research and evidence as well as a variety of other information.
* To gather information, data, research and literature from a number of different sources (i.e. library, web-based, archives etc.).
* To select appropriate and relevant information from a wide source and large body of knowledge.
* To synthesise information from a number of sources in order to gain a coherent understanding.
* To develop study and learning skills (note taking, avoiding plagiarism, using the library, gathering and using information, constructing a bibliography, referencing).
* To develop basic Information and Computing Technology skills (word processing, email, using the web to search for information).
* To develop essay research, preparation and writing skills.
* To construct a bibliography.
* To develop time-management and administrative skills.
* To develop communication and debating skills.
* To reflect upon own academic and professional performance and take responsibility for personal and professional learning and development.

Content: Criminal justice policy and practice in the UK; trends in criminal policy; the political and organisational contexts of criminal justice; theories that enhance understanding of the policy making process; and contemporary policy/practice debates, for example on: sexual violence, domestic abuse, and illegal/recently legalised drug use.

Programme availability:

SP20050 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Social & Policy Sciences

SP20050 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Education
  • UHED-AFB12 : BA(Hons) Education with Psychology (Year 2)
  • UHED-AKB12 : BA(Hons) Education with Psychology with Professional Placement (Year 2)
Department of Psychology Department of Social & Policy Sciences
  • UHSP-AFB14 : BSc(Hons) Applied Social Studies (Year 3)
  • UHSP-AFB22 : BSc(Hons) Criminology (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AKB22 : BSc(Hons) Criminology with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AFB16 : BSc(Hons) Social Policy (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AFB16 : BSc(Hons) Social Policy (Year 3)
  • UHSP-AKB16 : BSc(Hons) Social Policy with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AKB16 : BSc(Hons) Social Policy with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UHSP-AFB05 : BSc(Hons) Social Sciences (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AFB05 : BSc(Hons) Social Sciences (Year 3)
  • UHSP-AKB05 : BSc(Hons) Social Sciences with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AKB05 : BSc(Hons) Social Sciences with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UHSP-AFB04 : BSc(Hons) Sociology (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AFB04 : BSc(Hons) Sociology (Year 3)
  • UHSP-AKB04 : BSc(Hons) Sociology with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AKB04 : BSc(Hons) Sociology with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UHSP-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Sociology and Social Policy (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Sociology and Social Policy (Year 3)
  • UHSP-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Sociology and Social Policy with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Sociology and Social Policy with Year long work placement (Year 4)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2022/23 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2023/24 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2022/23.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.