To critically analyse and discuss distinctive characteristics of the institutions and processes of criminal justice, including underpinning philosophies and operational practices.

To critically understand and explore the range of justice models within criminal justice systems.

To critically explore and analyse the merits of alternative forms of justice.

To analyse complex criminal justice issues with originality and sensitivity by suggesting, evidencing, and evaluating solutions to complex policy problems

To develop a variety of hard and soft skills, in particular communication skills

(LO1) At the end of this module students will be able to critically analyse and discuss distinctive characteristics of the institutions and processes of criminal justice.

(LO2) At the end of this module students will be able to respond to complex issues with originality and sensitivity by suggesting, evidencing, and evaluating solutions to complex policy problems.

(LO3) At the end of this module students will be able to apply different theoretical and philosophical conceptions and models of justice to global and contemporary concerns about the limitations of traditional criminal justice.

(LO4) At the end of this module students will be able to demonstrate a wide variety of hard and soft skills, in particular communication skills.

(S1) Theoretical, political, empirical and practical understanding of the criminal justice context

(S2) Verbal and visual communication skills, including presentation skills, listening and questioning and engaging in constructive group discussion

(S3) Written communication skills, by preparing and producing a written assessment

(S4) Research skills, by developing and evidencing solutions to policy problems

(S5) The application of key philosophical/theoretical concepts from one context to another

(S6) Originality in the development of policy solutions

(S7) Be able to make a critical judgement of the merits of particular arguments and make a reasoned choice between alternative solutions or arguments.

(S8) Develop their skills in reading, analysing and synthesising different viewpoints and presenting their findings/conclusions in clear, comprehensible, structured format, with detailed argumentation where appropriate.

(S9) Time management and prioritisation skills by working to deadlines.

The module will be team taught, but effort will be made to ensure that the strong thematic consistency (the explicit focus on justice models and how they can be applied to different contexts) flows through all the sessions and the assessments. Its precise structure is yet to be determined, and is likely to vary each year with teaching availability. However, the key topics covered will include:
1)The models of justice underpinning the legal system (retributive justice, and other core concepts such as procedural, distributive, social and reparative justice);
2)Certain core institutions and processes in the criminal justice system and whether and how certain understandings of justice flow through them; the precise institutions and models will vary but may include policing, sentencing, prisons, parole, and/or probation; and
3)Models and systems of justice which exist outside the criminal justice system; the precise models and systems will vary with teaching availability but may include things like ecojustice, military justice, victims’ justice, and transitional justice.
The module will introduce new understandings of the criminal justice system and other models of justice. It will also introduce new topics which will be developed in current and future optional modules on this course – it will be relevant to the optional module on ‘Gender-based violence and criminal justice’, for example, and to potential future modules on sentencing, critical approaches to rehabilitation, and wildlife crime.

The module will be built on ten weekly workshops which are two-hours long, as well as a reading list and a list of key learning resources available through Canvas

Teaching Method 1: Workshop

Scheduled Directed Student Hours: 20

Description: Weekly two-hour workshops will provided a structured learning environment where students will discuss key set readings with facilitation provided by expert academic staff. In advance of each workshop, students will complete one (and occasionally two) piece(s) of required reading, and submit a question or suggested discussion topic on the reading to an online padlet. Each workshop will involve a combination of structured discussion on these questions and topics raised by the session leader, as well as a short lecture session.

Attendance Recorded: Yes

Self-Directed Learning Hours: 180

Description: Prior to each of the 10 two-hour workshops, students will undertake directed study tasks (including set readings) to complete in their own time as preparation for the workshop discussion. They will also be expected to do their own research and wider reading in relation to topics co vered over the course of the module, especially in preparation of their two assessment tasks.