Course Catalogue

Justice Studies

1. To understand the theoretical and practical issues relating to policy formation 2. To demonstrate a critical insight into the development of criminal justice policy 3. To critically explore issues related to the implementation and delivery of policy across the criminal justice sector 4. Critically appraise existing approaches to policy evaluation and analysis

Outline Syllabus:Introduction: What is Criminal Justice Policy Social Change and Criminal Justice Policy Criminal Justice and Social Policy The Criminal Justice Policy Making Process Student-Led Session on the Practices of Criminal Justice Policy Actors in Criminal Justice Policy Criminal Justice Policy – Implementing and Experiencing Policy Change Evidence-Informed Policy Development Evaluating policy impact and critically assessing the role of research in criminal justice policy-making The influence of the public and media in engineering policy change Assessment Preparation/Support

Module Overview:
This module provides you with a critical awareness of how policy has developed in the criminal justice system in England and Wales. You are introduced to the theories and concepts of policy formation and you will consider case studies of the creation, implementation and delivery of criminal justice policy across the sector. The module will help you develop your critical thinking skills in reflecting upon the impact of criminal justice practice. The sessions will discuss all key institutions within criminal justice work the police, probation, prisons, youth justice, and courts and engages with significant pieces of policy and legislation that continue to shape how the criminal justice system functions.

Additional Information:The module provides students with a critical awareness of how policy has developed in the criminal justice system in England and Wales. Students are introduced to the theories and concepts of policy formation and consider case studies of the creation, implementation and delivery of criminal justice policy across the sector. The module will help develop students critical thinking skills in reflecting upon the impact of criminal justice practice. The sessions will discuss all key institutions within criminal justice work – the police, probation, prisons, youth justice, and courts – and engages with significant pieces of policy and legislation that continue to shape how the criminal justice system functions. The focus on policy making issues overlaps with course content concerning the Criminal Justice Process whilst the emphasis on reviewing research-informed articles will help advance the skills development that the research methods and dissertation modules develop.