Course Resources Archive

The module introduces students to contemporary developments in sentencing and punishment in the criminal justice process.  The purpose of and justifications for imprisonment have been debated since its beginnings and it is clear, from current prison population in England and Wales that its use remains a critical element within our criminal justice system.  This module will explore this phenomenon and provide an opportunity to debate the merits and demerits of such punishment in contemporary society.  Recidivism rates suggest that prison is not the most appropriate response for many offenders and so the module will go on to identify some alternative ways of addressing offending.

1) Contemporary perspectives of sentencing and punishment in England and Wales
2) identify and evaluate different forms of sentencing and punishment
3) Understand the principles of restorative justice and its role in the criminal justice system

i. Knowledge and Understanding
On completion of the module students should be able to:
1) Effectively debate the principles of punishment
2) Critically evaluate the worth of imprisonment
3) Sentencing procedures and efficacy
4) Critically argue an issue relating to contemporary alternatives in punishment

ii. Skills
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
1) Critically assess the effectiveness of punishment in a written argument
2) Critically assess the effectiveness of restorative justice
3) Exhibit advanced skills in the independent search and retrieval of information from a variety of sources.

Staff/student contact: 16%
Student private study 84%
Methods include: lectures, workshops, videos, guest speakers

The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide.