Undergraduate Module Descriptors 2012/13
CRI307: Comparative Perspectives On Criminal Justice
| Module Title |
Comparative Perspectives On Criminal Justice |
| Module Code |
CRI307 |
| Module Tutor |
Carol Jones |
| School |
Natural and Social Sciences |
| CAT Points |
15 |
| Level of Study |
6 |
| Pre-requisites |
Before taking this module you must pass CRI202 or pass CRI209 |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| Restrictions |
None |
| Brief Description |
The module aims to broaden and deepen the students’ critical understanding of criminal justice and penal systems, by engaging them in comparative analysis, with a particular focus on the EU, the USA, Australasia and East Asia. |
| Indicative Syllabus |
1) Comparative perspectives on criminal justice and its main components.
2) Consequences of the increasing globalisation of justice and international standards for the administration of justice.
3) Methodological issues in doing comparative research.
4) Contrasting systems of trial, policing, prosecution, punishment and victim support.
5) Case studies in comparative criminal justice policy. |
| Learning Outcomes |
i. Knowledge and Understanding
On completion of the module students should be able to demonstrate:
1) Critical understanding of the strengths and limitations of undertaking comparative research studies of crime and criminal justice.
2) An informed awareness of transnational and international trends and developments in criminal justice.
3) The ability to identify and critically assess convergences and divergences in criminal justice and penal policy through comparison of UK arrangements with other jurisdictions.
4) Capacity to critically analyse the ethical dimensions of criminal justice practices, notably in relation to international principles of Human Rights.
ii. Skills
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
1) Critically assess the merits and diversity of objectives of competing approaches to criminal justice, with reference to their socio-political and cultural contexts
2) Advance reasoned arguments concerning the scope for reform through transplantation of criminal justice initiatives
3) Recognise a range of ethical and methodological problems associated with undertaking comparative research in the criminal justice domain.
4) Exhibit advanced skills in the independent search and retrieval of information from a variety of sources.
5) Demonstrate higher order presentation skills. |
| Learning and Teaching Activities |
Staff/student contact: 16%
Student private study 84%
Methods include: lectures, workshops, videos, guest speakers |
| Assessment (For further details see the Module Guide) |
001: 25% Written Exam: In-class, unseen, closed book: 1.00 hours
002: 75% Coursework: Project: 3000 words or equivalent
|
| Special Assessment Requirements |
None |
| Indicative Resources |
The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide. |
