POL4112 - Criminal Justice

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Explain the criminal justice system and the legislation and processes that support it
Understand the legislation, functions, and processes associated with detaining and escorting a suspect to custody
Understand the roles and procedures associated with pre-charge bail and charge
Explain and understand stages of the court process, including interpretations and analysis that can be drawn from evidence given
Evaluate how the diversity of individuals and society impact on the criminal justice system
Explain the importance of effective partnership collaboration with respect to offender rehabilitation

Content:

This module will enable students to appreciate the purpose, benefit, and responsibilities of the criminal justice system in a variety of contexts. Students will explore the role of the criminal justice system, the legislation the key issues surrounding this key area. There is a particular focus on the considerations associated with supporting victims and witnesses through the criminal justice system. The module enables students to appreciate the importance of the stage of the court process, how diversity of individuals and society impact on the criminal justice system. This module will also explore the importance of effective partnership collaboration with respect to offender rehabilitation.

This module looks at the purpose of the criminal justice system and the responsibilities of those charged with delivering a professional service. Students will review the role of the current legislation and processes that support the criminal justice system and will be able to understand the importance of gathering evidence to enable offenders to be convicted. The module will cover the processes for provision of materials for disclosure by the Crown Prosecution Service, and the stages of the court process will be explored. Students will explore and evaluate how diversity of individuals and society impact on the criminal justice system and why it is so important that there is effective partnership collaboration with respect to offender rehabilitation to prevent them from offending again.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Students will take part in a 4-hour session each week, and teaching will be based on the gradual responsibility model (Fischer & Frey, 2021).

Each session will begin with class discussion and debate, based on material given in the previous week, to develop thinking, engagement and participation in ideas and evidence-based opinions.

There will be a ‘main teach’ which is intended as concept construction, followed by practical tasks and activities to consolidate learning, and initiate formative discussion for feedback, addressing misconceptions and learning, where students may be broken down into smaller groups.

Each session will end with a plenary reflection, and a feed forward into the next session.

Formative assessment in the forms of interactive polls, surveys, information padlets and knowledge checks will be utilised in every session to check the levels of understanding and engagement from students. This will add to the formative discussion and feedback from the practical tasks and activities.

Students will be provided with resources and instructions for their self-directed learning, to scaffold them through the module and build knowledge and ideas for their assignments.

In addition, students will have an extra session each week specifically oriented to the development of their academic skills in aspects of writing, presentation, and communication for assessment.

Lectures
Hours: 40
Intended Group Size: 25-40

Small group teaching
Hours: 10

Guided independent study
Hours: 150

Further details relating to assessment Written Assignment: Students will write a 2000-word reflective piece based upon criminal justice procedures, focusing on the wider societal impact of offending and the importance of rehabilitation of offenders and partnership working. Students will be given themes to choose from or can negotiate a title with their module lead.

Practical Scenario: Students will take part in a 1-hour practical scenario which will focus on the roles, legislation, and procedure with escorting a detained person to custody, pre-charge procedure and bail, and the stages of the court process.

Assessment:

001 Written assignment; 2,000 words; end semester 2 50%
002 Integrated assessment practical scenario;1 hr; end semester 2 50%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - PRS_CODE=
Level - 4
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 4S2

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