LW2CS-Crime and Society

Module Provider: School of Law
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2020/1

Module Convenor: Dr Charlotte Smith

Email: C.L.Smith@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module adopts a historical and socio-legal approach to the study of the Criminal Justice System in England and Wales since 1750. It views the Criminal Justice System as a product of its history, and of the social, political and economic context in which it developed. It traces the shifting nature of this history and context in order to promote an understanding of the forces which shaped the Criminal Justice System, and the needs and objectives which it was designed to meet, and how these have changed over time. This facilitates a critical assessment of the fitness for purpose of different aspects of the system in the light of current social and political contexts.

Aims:

• To introduce students to different theories of punishment 


• To introduce students to the institutions of criminal justice in England and Wales since 1750.


• To develop an understanding of the relationship between the different institutions in the


• Criminal Justice system, and to explain the historical and philosophical roots that underpin those institutions.


• To develop a critical awareness of historical and contemporary debates and proposals for reform and an appreciation of the arguments that inform them.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of this module it is expected that the student should be able to:

 

• Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of theories of punishment and be able to critically evaluate their relative strengths and weaknesses.


• Understand the development of penal policy and critically consider the role of incarceration and other earlier forms of punishment in the criminal justice system.


• Identify and explain the structure of policing in England and demonstrate an understanding of the historical processes that led to its development.


• Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act and the Codes of Practice and critically evaluate their significance for police accountability.


• Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the structure of the criminal courts and critique the role played by the lay magistracy


• Consider the r ole of the trial by jury and display an awareness of the debates concerning reform.


• Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the development of adversarial trial and critically evaluate the significance of various factors affecting that development

Additional outcomes:

Students will be encouraged and supported to improve their research skills and legal writing and to understand how to interact with both scholarly literature and relevant primary source materials.

Outline content:

The module then breaks down into four major areas, within which various topics are covered as follows:

1. Why we punish offenders:
   
   
   
   1. A brief history of responsibility for law enforcement and the punishment of crime
   
   
   2. The historical contexts and dimensions of punishment
   
   
   3. An introduction to the philosophy of punishment
   
   
   
   


2. How we punish off enders:
   
   
   
   1. Pre-modern approaches – corporal punishment, hanging, transportation and the hulks
   
   
   2. Imprisonment as a criminal sanction
   
   
   
   


3. Policing:              
   
   
   
   1. The history and development of modern policing
   
   
   2. Policing – contemporary chall enges
   
   
   
   


4. How we Try Suspected Offenders:
   
   
   
   1. The role of the jury in trial upon indictment
   
   
   2. The development of adversarial trial
   
   
   3. The role of the lay magistracy and summary trial
   
   
   
   

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Teaching will be through the medium of both lectures and seminars. Students will be expected to undertake extensive guided reading in preparation for seminar and additional independent research for the Assessed Work.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	20
Seminars		10
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (directed)	60
Preparation for seminars		40
Completion of formative assessment tasks	20
Essay preparation		40
Reflection		10
Total hours by term			0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	70
Written assignment including essay	30

Summative assessment- Examinations:

There will be one, two hour examination counting for 70% of the marks. Three questions to be answered from a selection.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

One essay of 4 pages formatted in accordance with the rules as set out in the School Guide (Programme Assessment). The essay to be chosen from a selection of three titles, to be set by the module tutors. This will count for 30% of the marks.  

Formative assessment methods:

One essay of 4 pages formatted in accordance with the rules set out in the School Guide (Programme Assessment).

Penalties for late submission:

The Module Convenor will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day[1] (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

40%

Reassessment arrangements:

See the school Guide (Programme Assessment). Essay on a new title and/or written exam in the August/September resit period. Only the failed element(s) must be retaken with the marks for the passed element being carried forward.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 4 April 2020