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SP22059: Sociology of criminal justice policy

[Page last updated: 03 June 2024]

Academic Year: 2024/25
Owning Department/School: Department of Social & Policy Sciences
Credits: 5 [equivalent to 10 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 100
Level: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Period:
Semester 1
Assessment Summary: CWSI 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • Policy brief (CWSI 100%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: At the end of this unit, students will 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.


Synopsis: "Explore criminal justice policy and practice in the UK. Develop an understanding of trends in criminal policy and the political and organisational contexts of criminal justice. You will use theories that build an understanding of the policy making process and contemporary policy debates in criminal justice."

Content: The unit explores 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.

Course availability:

SP22059 is Optional on the following courses:

Department of Psychology Department of Social & Policy Sciences
  • UHSP-AFB30 : BSc(Hons) Criminology (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AKB30 : BSc(Hons) Criminology with professional placement (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AFB32 : BSc(Hons) Social Policy (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AKB32 : BSc(Hons) Social Policy with professional placement (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AFB37 : BSc(Hons) Social Sciences (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AKB37 : BSc(Hons) Social Sciences with professional placement (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AFB35 : BSc(Hons) Sociology (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AFB36 : BSc(Hons) Sociology and Social Policy (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AKB36 : BSc(Hons) Sociology and Social Policy with professional placement (Year 2)
  • UHSP-AKB35 : BSc(Hons) Sociology with professional placement (Year 2)

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.