Unit information: Crime, Justice and Society in 2013/14

Unit name	Crime, Justice and Society
Unit code	LAWD20034
Credit points	20
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director	Professor. Young
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	LAWD10014 Criminal Law
Co-requisites	None
School/department	University of Bristol Law School
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

This unit builds on a prior understanding of substantive principles of criminal law in order to consider the operation of criminal law in society. In particular, the unit emphasises the notion of criminalisation, both through looking critically at the process by which certain types of behaviour become defined as criminal, and through looking at the discretionary processes through which the law so-defined is (or is not) enforced in practice. Key concerns throughout the course are the extent to which such criminalisation can be considered just, and the way in which societal attitudes and social divisions affect, and are affected by, criminalisation.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the unit, a successful student will be able to:

• Research aspects of criminal law, criminal justice and policy (and other areas of law and policy) on their own.

• When presented with a proposition on an aspect of crime, criminal law or criminal justice:

• • present arguments for and against the proposition, citing relevant authorities, the views of writers and the findings of studies from a range of relevant disciplines, and assess the weight of their arguments;
  • locate and confidentily discuss any relevant reform proposals;
  • draw a reasoned conclusion as to whether they agree or disagree with the proposition.

The assessments are designed to test whether students have developed the skills that are critical to this unit, namely independent research and critical evaluation.

Teaching Information

Lectures and tutorials.

Assessment Information

The Unit is assessed by means of two (equally weighted) pieces of summative coursework (each max. 2,500 words). Students are given a choice of four titles for each of the summative essays.

Reading and References

The books recommended for purchase are:

1. Sanders, Young and Burton, Criminal Justice, 4th Edition (Oxford: OUP, 2010).
2. Lacey, Wells and Quick, Reconstructing Criminal Law, 4th Edition (Cambridge: CUP, 2010).

Further suggestions for reading are provided on lecture presentations and tutorial worksheets.