- UCAS course code
- P567
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Course unit details:
Criminology and Criminal Justice in Action
| Unit code | CRIM20701 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 20 |
| Unit level | Level 2 |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 1 |
| Available as a free choice unit? | Yes |
Overview
This course explores the 'inside story' of career paths within the criminal justice system
and related fields, aided by a diverse array of guest speakers. It examines the contested
role of criminological theory and research in this applied work. Who are the 'experts'
seeking to influence these professions, and to what extent are they successful? Does
criminological knowledge form an integral, albeit implicit, part of everyday operations within
these professions? What are the everyday pressures experienced by front-line and
managerial staff? How are these services dealing with the impact of funding austerity and
other political and social pressures? Delivered with support from key criminal justice
agencies, this course will allow you to understand the lived experience of staff, gain
insights into criminology 'in action', and develop practical skills that will enhance your
professional development. Indicative content: (1) Course Introduction ; (2) Experts,
evidence & 'research utilisation'; (3) Criminology in criminal justice; (4) Ethics in criminal
justice research; (5) Criminal justice careers and CJS voluntary sector; (6) View from practice: youth justice; (7) View from practice: prisons; (8) View from practice: police; (9) View from practice: probation; (10) Course summary & assignment support.
Pre/co-requisites
None, though prior knowledge of the criminal justice system would be an advantage
Aims
The unit aims to (1) encourage intellectual awareness of the issues involved in criminal justice-related professions; (2) explore the potential of criminology to impact on those professions; and (3) enhance student employability through the development of marketable skills.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this unit successful students will be able to appreciate: (1) the potential of criminological theory and research to impact upon criminal justice agencies; (2) the breadth of careers in the Criminal Justice System and other related fields; (3) the challenges and demands of working in these fields.
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching and learning across course units consists of: (1) preparatory work to be
completed prior to teaching sessions, including readings, pre-recorded subject material and online activities; (2) a weekly whole-class lecture or workshop; (3) a tutorial; and (4) one-to-one support via subject specific office hours.
Transferable skills and personal qualities
Employability skills
- Other
- (i) analyse, critique and (re-)formulate a problem or issue; (ii) rapidly and thoroughly review/rate argument and evidence from targeted bibliographic searches; (iii) plan, structure and present arguments in a variety of written formats and to a strict word limit, (iv) express ideas verbally and organise work effectively in small teams for a variety of written and oral tasks; (v) obtain, manipulate and (re-)present different forms of data; (vi) manage time effectively; (vii) reflect on and improve performance through feedback.
Assessment methods
| Method | Weight |
|---|---|
| Written assignment (inc essay) | 100% |
Feedback methods
Formative feedback (both individual and collective) will be given on (1) on tasks and
contribution in class, (2) the group presentation. Detailed
summative feedback will be given on the submitted essay via Blackboard (Grademark).
Recommended reading
Local and national websites of the key criminal justice agencies. Loader I, and Sparks I (2010) Public Criminology? London: Routledge.
Study hours
| Scheduled activity hours | |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 20 |
| Tutorials | 10 |
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 70 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Landon Kuester | Unit coordinator |
Additional notes
Across their course units each semester, full-time students are expected to devote a
'working week' of around 30-35 hours to study. Accordingly, each course unit demands
around 10-11 hours of study per week consisting of (i) 3 timetabled teacher-led hours, (ii)
7-8 independent study hours devoted to preparation, required and further reading, and
note taking. Indicative content (subject to availability of guest speakers): Introduction & CJS Refresher; Experts, Evidence & Research Utilization; Criminology in CJS: From theory to practice; Ethics in CJS Research; Criminal Justice Careers & CJS Voluntary Sector; View from practice: Youth Justice; View from practice: Prisons; View from practice: Police; View from practice: Probation; (10) Course Summary & Assignment Support. The formative assessment (group presentations) will be held during course seminars, the summative assessment (3,000-word essay) will be submitted on Blackboard.
This course is restricted to students on the BA Criminology, Law with Criminology and BA Social Sciences (BASS) programmes Other students may be accepted at the discretion of the Course Unit Director.
This course is available to incoming study abroad students university wide.
Pre-requisites: none
Co-requisites: none