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| Unit name |
Children and Young People in the Law A |
| Unit code |
SPOL30057 |
| Credit points |
20 |
| Level of study |
H/6
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
|
| Unit director |
Dr. Jo Staines |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None
|
| Co-requisites |
None
|
| School/department |
School for Policy Studies |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Description including Unit Aims
The unit provides a historical overview of children's status in civil and criminal law and up to the present time. Then, within an overall framework of children's rights and needs, a range of topics will be considered, which may include children as victims and perpetrators of crime, children in the context of divorce and separation, of fostering and adoption and as subjects of medical intervention, as well as children as refugees and children within the child protection process.
Aims:
- How children and young people are perceived and treated by current civil and criminal legislation in England and Wales;
- What are the needs and rights of children and young people as victims, witnesses and perpetrators of crime and anti-social behaviour;
- International differences in the ways in which children and young people are perceived and treated by civil and criminal legislation.
Intended Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will have:
- Gained a sound grasp of the needs and rights of children and young people;
- Gained an understanding of how these important considerations apply when children and young people’s circumstances and experiences cause them to be subject to processes of law or legislation;
- Gained an understanding of cross national differences and similarities in perceptions of treatment of children within legal systems.
Teaching Information
Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, student presentations and guided individual study.
Assessment Information
Formative assessment by an essay maximum 2 000 words.
Summative assessment:
3 hour unseen exam
Reading and References
- Powell, R. (2001) Child Law. Winchester: Waterside Press
- Fionda, J. (ed) (2001) Legal Concepts of Childhood. Oxford: Hart Publishing
- Aldridge, M. and Wood, J. (1998) Interviewing Children: A Guide for Child Care and Forensic Practitioners. Chichester: Wiley
- Newell, P. (1991) The UN Convention and Children’s Rights. London: National Children’s Bureau
- Drew, S. (2001) Children and the Human Rights Act. London: Save the Children
- Darbyshire, P. (2005, 8th ed) Darbyshire on the English Legal System. London: Sweet and Maxwell
