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Course & Unit Catalogues


SP12011: Criminal justice processes and practices

[Page last updated: 15 November 2024]

Academic Year: 2024/25
Owning Department/School: Department of Social & Policy Sciences
Credits: 10 [equivalent to 20 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 200
Level: Certificate (FHEQ level 4)
Period:
Semester 2
Assessment Summary: CWPF 60%, CWRI 40%
Assessment Detail:
  • Portfolio (CWPF 60%)
  • Policy Brief (CWRI 40% - Qualifying Mark: 40)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: By the end of the unit students will be able to: 1. Outline and critically assess key institutions and processes within the criminal justice system in England and Wales, with reference to other nations' systems; 2. Utilize key concepts and theories in criminal justice; 3. Illustrate and critically assess the delivery of criminal (in)justice through key examples; 4. Identify connections between empirical evidence, policy, theoretical explanations, and institutional practice.


Synopsis: Examine the criminal justice systems key institutions, their roles and work they do, how the various parts fit together, and their people and processes. Critically assess the work done by the criminal justice system, drawing on key concepts and theories and alternative systems in other nations. Illustrate and develop these ideas through examples of (in)justice, such as: miscarriages of justice; female offenders and victim-survivors experiences within the system; and attempts to tackle racism.

Content: Examine the criminal justice system's key institutions, their roles and work they do, how the various parts fit together, and their people and processes. Critically assess the work done by the criminal justice system, drawing on key concepts and theories and alternative systems in other nations.

Course availability:

SP12011 is Compulsory on the following courses:

Department of Social & Policy Sciences

SP12011 is Optional on the following courses:

Department of Social & Policy Sciences
  • UHSP-AFB32 : BSc(Hons) Social Policy (Year 1)
  • UHSP-AKB32 : BSc(Hons) Social Policy with professional placement (Year 1)
  • UHSP-AFB37 : BSc(Hons) Social Sciences (Year 1)
  • UHSP-AKB37 : BSc(Hons) Social Sciences with professional placement (Year 1)
  • UHSP-AFB35 : BSc(Hons) Sociology (Year 1)
  • UHSP-AFB36 : BSc(Hons) Sociology and Social Policy (Year 1)
  • UHSP-AKB36 : BSc(Hons) Sociology and Social Policy with professional placement (Year 1)
  • UHSP-AKB35 : BSc(Hons) Sociology with professional placement (Year 1)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2024/25 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2025/26 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2024/25.
  • Courses 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.