Issues in Crim Law & Crim Justice (910M3)
Issues in Criminal Law and Criminal Justice
Module 910M3
Module details for 2023/24.
30 credits
FHEQ Level 7 (Masters)
Module Outline
This module will provide an introduction to key contemporary issues in Criminal Law and Criminal Justice with a view to enabling students to understand the main challenges facing the English and Welsh criminal justice system at the present time. Topics will include issues which highlight the contemporary problems facing both substantive criminal law and the justice system, including youth justice and the age of criminal responsibility, overcriminalisation, for example by new `inchoatetype offences in response to the threat to security, the relationship between personal autonomy and the criminal law, the difficulties in securing convictions for certain types of offences such as sexual violence and child abuse, the impact of gender upon both the substantive criminal law and criminal justice, prison overcrowding, and access to justice. The topics discussed will be viewed from an interdisciplinary perspective, being placed within the context of human rights, social and political developments. Discussion of a wide variety of topics will help inform student choices when selecting their optional modules for the Spring term.
Module learning outcomes
Analyse and critically evaluate a range of contemporary issues which presently affect English and Welsh Criminal Law and Criminal Justice.
Show a clear understanding of basic concepts, rules and principles of Criminal Law and Criminal Justice and the way in which these relate to international standards.
Evaluate critically proposals for reform to both Criminal Law and Criminal Justice.
Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the contextual social and political background to the development of Criminal Law and Criminal Justice.
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Essay (2000 words) | Autumn Semester Week 11 Fri 16:00 | 50.00% |
| Distance Exam | Semester 1 Assessment | 50.00% |
Timing
Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.
Weighting
Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.
| Term | Method | Duration | Week pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Semester | Seminar | 2 hours | 11111011111 |
| Autumn Semester | Lecture | 1 hour | 11111011111 |
How to read the week pattern
The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.
Dr Tanya Palmer
Assess convenor
/profiles/278428
Dr Simon Flacks
Convenor, Assess convenor
/profiles/574282
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