SOC6142 - Justice Punishment and Human Rights

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

1 - Evaluate the relevance of the philosophical concepts on human rights and their justification in the application of punishment offset and balanced with notions of justice
2 - Critically appraise historical and contemporary issues that relate to the contexts Justice, Punishment and Human Rights
3 - Recognise the impact of human rights for a functional and fair criminal justice system
4 - Demonstrate a sound knowledge and understanding of relevant theoretical/conceptual frameworks
5 - Enhance transferable skills/personal skills (e.g. communication skills, teamwork, self-evaluation, problem solving).

Content:

This module allows the students to critically explore concepts, debates, literature and research that relates to justice, punishment and human rights. These three interlocking elements are vital for a functional and fair justice system. This module will invite students to consider whether the contemporary Criminal Justice System achieves an appropriate balance of these. To do this, the module will be broken down into 2 sections: History of Punishment, and Contemporary Philosophies of Punishment.

The aim is to engage with the historical content when considering human rights, assessing the basis and importance of protecting and maintaining human rights within punishment. Here students will engage with key philosophers, including John Locke, Jeremy Bentham and Michel Foucault.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Lecture/Workshop
Hours: 40
Intended Group Size: Cohort

Guided independent study
Hours: 260

Further details relating to assessment
Assessment 1 is a negotiated presentation. Students will either submit a group presentation or an individual recorded presentation, of 10 minutes duration for individual presentations, or 15 minutes (in small groups) on a topic of their choice relevant to semester one (2,000-word equivalent).

Assessment 2 is a negotiated written assessment 1, 500-words. Students will be asked to explore how a form of punishment (students will decide which form(s) of punishment) delivers punishment, secures justice, and aheres to human rights.

This assessment will link to the CfSJ, as it will remind students to consider how social inequalities can impact upon experiences within the Criminal Justice System.

Assessment:

001 Negotiated presentation, 10 minuts individual OR 15 minutes groups; end of Semester 1 50%
002 Written assignment, 1,500 words; end of Semester 2 50%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - PRS_CODE=
Level - 6
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 6YL

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