Modules

Core Module Information
Module title: Criminal Justice in Practice
SCQF level: 11:
SCQF credit value: 20.00
ECTS credit value: 10
Module code: SSC11110
Module leader: Christine Haddow
School School of Applied Sciences
Subject area group: Social Science
Prerequisites

N/A
Description of module content:

This module will provide you with a critical introduction to the study of criminal justice institutions, practices and participants. It will examine some of the main elements of responses to crime and victimisation, focusing on theories of punishment, imprisonment, community justice, offender ‘management’ and youth justice in the UK. It will also focus on current developments and emphases in criminal justice practice with topics such as desistance, the reintegration and resettlement of offenders, victim-centred justice, restorative justice, privatisation of criminal justice, treatment of offenders and evaluation of interventions (e.g. cognitive behavioural therapy). Critical analysis and evaluation of theory, policy and practice will be embedded throughout the module.
Learning Outcomes for module:

Upon completion of this module you will be able to
LO1: Critically appraise the theoretical foundations of criminal justice practice.
LO2: Debate the appropriate ways of responding to and supporting participants in the criminal justice system, drawing on national and international evidence.
LO3: Critically reflect on the role of power in the delivery of criminal justice.
LO4: Critically assess the effectiveness of criminal justice interventions.
LO5: Critically reflect on contemporary national and international developments in criminal justice policy and practice.
LO6: Recommend alternatives to existing criminal justice practice.
Full Details of Teaching and Assessment
2022/3, Trimester 2, FACE-TO-FACE, Edinburgh Napier University
VIEW FULL DETAILS
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: FACE-TO-FACE
Location of delivery: SIGHTHILL
Partner: Edinburgh Napier University
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Christine Haddow
Module Organiser:


Learning, Teaching and Assessment (LTA) Approach:
The module will be delivered using seminars which will aim to encourage student participation and critical thinking. There will be a strong focus on active learning and participation in class discussions. You will learn to apply theoretical frameworks to criminal justice practice and will draw on contemporary practice to inform debates on effectiveness. You will also be supported in pursuing a significant level of independent study to support your learning and inform your summative assessments. Supporting materials, including lecture slides and recommended reading, will be available to you via Moodle.

The module will develop your independent study and research skills and advance their critical analysis. You will attain a theoretical understanding of criminal justice practice and develop skills in evaluating contemporary practice in working with participants of the criminal justice system. Collating information in accessible forms and using different means (written assignments and group discussions) will assist you to effectively communicate your arguments. The later part of the module will be team taught and will reflect individual staff research expertise.

Formative Assessment:
Formative feedback will be given collectively during the seminars throughout the course or individually where one to one meetings are requested. Discussions and seminar tasks will require you to engage with academic and policy documents each week with a view to preparing you for summative tasks. There will also be an opportunity in week 9 to submit a draft plan for assessment 2 for comments from the module leader.
Summative Assessment:
Both summative assessments bring together the directed and independent scholarly activities of critical thinking and analysis.
In the first summative assessment, you will be required to produce a 2000 word essay which will assess your understanding of theoretical perspectives on criminal justice (LO1).
In the second summative assessment, a report of 2500 words, you will be required to critically reflect on an element of contemporary criminal justice practice of your choosing (LO 1-6). You will outline and critically evaluate existing policy and practice in yourchosen area, and suggest possible reforms or improvements.
Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)
Face To Face Seminar 20
Independent Learning Guided independent study 180
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words
Essay 40 1 7 HOURS= 00.00, WORDS= 2000
Report 60 1-6 13 HOURS= 00.00, WORDS= 2500
Component 1 subtotal: 40
Component 2 subtotal: 60
Module subtotal: 100

Indicative References and Reading List - URL:
SSC11110 Criminal Justice in Practice
 

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