MODULE SPECIFICATION TEMPLATE
MODULE DETAILS
Module title
Module code
Credit value
Level
Mark the box to the right of the
appropriate level with an ‘X’
Introduction to Criminal Justice Studies
SS427
20
Level 4 X Level 5
Level 6
Level 0 (for modules at foundation level)
Level 7
Level 8
Entry criteria for registration on this module
Pre-requisites
None
Specify in terms of module codes or
equivalent
Co-requisite modules
None
Specify in terms of module codes or
equivalent
Module delivery
Mode of delivery
Taught
Other
X
Distance
Placement
Pattern of delivery
Weekly
X
Block
Other
Online
When module is delivered
Semester 1
X
Semester 2
Throughout year
Other
Brief description of module The module provides an introduction to the Criminal Justice System in
England and Wales by exploring the main agencies involved: the courts,
content
police service, probation service, prisons, and in policies in the field
Overview (max 80 words)
relating to sentencing, victims, and crime prevention and community
safety initiatives. It also introduces some of the main criminological
perspectives to raise questions about the social construction of crime,
processes of criminalization and victimization, and ‘causes’ of crime.
Module team/ author/
coordinator(s)
School
Site/ campus where
delivered
Dr Dawn Stephen
School of Applied Social Science
Falmer
Course(s) for which module is appropriate and status on that course
Course
BA (Hons) Criminology
BA (Hons) Applied Psychology and Criminology
BA (Hons) Criminology and Social Policy
BA (Hons) Criminology and Sociology
BA (Hons) Criminology and Substance Misuse Interventions
LLB (Hons) Law with Criminology
BA (Hons) Social Science
Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2012
Status (mandatory/ compulsory/
optional)
Compulsory
Compulsory
Compulsory
Compulsory
Compulsory
Compulsory
Optional
MODULE AIMS, ASSESSMENT AND SUPPORT
Aims
The aims of the module are:
 To introduce students to the criminal justice institutions, policies
and processes in England and Wales
 To introduce students to some of the substantial and controversial
issues which currently confront the Criminal Justice System in
England and Wales
 To encourage students to consider the appropriate treatment of
offenders and victims within the criminal justice system
 To highlight the significance of criminal justice agencies and
institutions to criminology by introducing students to the study of
‘crime’, deviance and social control
 To develop students’ skills in reading, thinking, and
communication
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module the student will:
1. understand the workings of the Criminal Justice System in
England and Wales.
2. appreciate controversies involved with contemporary practices
relating to victims and offenders within the Criminal Justice
System
3. recognise debates associated with contemporary criminal
justice, crime prevention and social control policy initiatives.
4. articulate basic criminological perspectives on crime, deviance
and social control
5. communicate effectively in writing
6. possess evaluative skills
7. possess reflective learning skills
Content
Introduction to the Criminal Justice System and the treatment of
offenders and victims therein: the police service, the court system,
sentencing, the prison service, the probation service, and to the major
criminological perspectives on ‘crime’, deviance, justice and social
control. Relatedly, the contemporary focus on crime prevention,
communities, risk and fear is also examined.
Learning support
Library resources: books, journals, and reports. Studentcentral,
criminal justice system websites, and, for PDP activities,
skills4study.com and ASK websites.
Indicative reading:
Cavadino, M., Dignan. J. and G. Mair. 2013. The penal system: an
introduction. 5th ed. London: Sage
Croall, H. 2011. Crime and Society in Britain. 2nd ed. Harlow: Pearson.
Davies, M., H. Croall and J. Tyrer. eds. 2010. Criminal justice: an
introduction to the criminal justice system in England and
Wales. 4th edition. Harlow: Pearson.
Hale, C., Hayward, K., Wahidin, A. and E. Wincup. eds. 2013.
Criminology. 3rd.ed Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Hucklesby, A. and A. Wahidin. 2013. Criminal justice. 2nd ed. Oxford:
Oxford University Press.
Maguire, M., Morgan, R. and R. Reiner. eds. 2012. The Oxford
handbook of criminology. 5th ed. Oxford: Oxford University
Press.
Newburn, T. 2013. Criminology, 2nd ed. London: Routledge.
Newburn, T. ed. 2009. Key readings in criminology. Cullompton:
Willan.
Sanders, A. and R. Young. 2010. Criminal justice. 4th ed. Oxford:
Oxford University Press.
Indicative academic support and skills texts
Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2012
Cottrell, S. 2010. Skills for success: personal development and
employability. 2nd ed. Basingstoke: MacMillan.
Cottrell, S. 2013. The study skills handbook, 4th ed. Basingstoke:
Palgrave Macmillan.
Cottrell, S. 2011. Critical thinking skills. 2nd ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave
Macmillan.
Harrison, J., Simpson, M., Harrison, O. and E. Martin. 2012. Study
skills for criminology .2nd ed. London: Sage.
McLaughlin, E. ed. 2013. Sage dictionary of criminology. 3rd ed.
London: Sage
Treadwell, J. 2013. Criminology: the essentials. 2nd ed. London: Sage
Key Journals:
British Journal of Criminology, Criminal Justice Matters, Howard
Journal, Policing and Society, Punishment and Society, Prison Service
Journal, Probation Journal, Theoretical Criminology.
Teaching and learning activities
Details of teaching and
learning activities
36 hours teaching and 164 hours directed private study outlined in the
module handbook, which includes essential weekly reading
accompanied by guiding questions and exercises, weekly formative
academic skills tasks related to criminological issues, and weekly
learning group activities each of which is designed to promote
students’ subject-specific and general academic development.
Allocation of study hours (indicative)
Study hours
Where 10 credits = 100 learning hours
SCHEDULED
This is an indication of the number of hours students can expect to
spend in scheduled teaching activities including lectures, seminars,
tutorials, project supervision, demonstrations, practical classes and
workshops, supervised time in workshops/ studios, fieldwork,
external visits, and work-based learning.
36
GUIDED INDEPENDENT
STUDY
All students are expected to undertake guided independent study
which includes wider reading/ practice, follow-up work, the
completion of assessment tasks, and revisions.
164
PLACEMENT
The placement is a specific type of learning away from the
University that is not work-based learning or a year abroad.
0
TOTAL STUDY HOURS
Please note this must amount to 200 hours for a 20 credit module
200
Assessment tasks
Details of assessment for
this module
Types of assessment task1
A 1250 word portfolio incorporating a review of a refereed journal
article and student reflection on learning (40%) (Learning Outcomes 4,
6, 7).
A two hour seen examination. (60%). (Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 5)
% weighting
1Set exercises,which assess the application of knowledge or analytical, problem-solving or evaluative skills, are included under
the type of assessment most appropriate to the particular task.
Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2012
Indicative list of summative assessment tasks which lead to the award of credit or which are required for
progression.
(or indicate if
component is
pass/fail)
WRITTEN
Written exam
60
COURSEWORK
Written assignment/ essay, report, dissertation,
portfolio, project output, set exercise
40
PRACTICAL
Oral assessment and presentation, practical skills
assessment, set exercise
0
EXAMINATION INFORMATION
Area examination board
Applied Social Science UG AEB
Refer to Faculty Office for guidance in completing the following sections
External examiners
Name
Position and institution
Date appointed
Date tenure
ends
Dr Adrian Barton
Associate Professor,
Plymouth University
October 2010
Sept 2015
QUALITY ASSURANCE
Date of first approval
February 2013
Only complete where this is not the
first version
Date of last revision
February 2013
Only complete where this is not the
first version
Date of approval for this
version
July 2014
Version number
2
Modules replaced
SS115
Specify codes of modules for which
this is a replacement
Available as free-standing module?
Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2012
Yes
No
X