CertCE Criminal Justice Module Specification Booklet 1
Contents Level 4 Modules... 3 Fundamentals of Effective Learning... 4 Dealing with Offending Behaviour... 6 Introduction to Criminology... 9 The Criminal Justice System... 12 2
Level 4 Modules The following are core modules 3
Fundamentals of Effective Learning Level: 4 Credit Value: 15 Pre-requisites: None Module Description This module aims to: 1. Provide the underpinning of skills and competencies required to successfully engage in online Higher Education learning; and 2. Deliver the opportunity for students to explore personal opportunities and objectives in their current and future organisational roles through the development of a wide range of skills, behaviours, attributes and competencies. Students will be encouraged to reflect critically upon such concepts as self-awareness, lifelong learning and developing capability throughout the module. Intended Learning Outcomes On completion of this module, students will be able to: 1. Demonstrate the technical and personal requirements of online learning 2. Demonstrate competencies in the use of the tools available to online learners 3. Possess the ability to reflect on activities and personal development in terms of both process and task 4. Identify effective operational techniques in a variety of learning contexts 5. Explain the organisational, environmental and societal contexts in which their careers and lives will unfold. Indicative Content 1. Student Online Learning Orientation Technical & Personal requirements/preparation Learning platform organisation and navigation o Communication in elearning - Synchronous and Asynchronous o Online assessments o Collaborative learning tools Webliography and Document Sharing 2. Intrapersonal Development Self-awareness, lifelong learning and capability Learning styles and personal values Managing stress, uncertainty, transition and time Project planning, problem solving and creativity 3. Interpersonal Development Verbal communication, including effective presentations Written communication, including effective report-writing, essay writing and referencing Academic study skills 4
o o o o Accessing data and academic journals and publications Apply basic critical reading, writing, and reasoning skills Use a variety of personal management tools and strategies to enhance learning Use problem solving skills to increase academic and professional proficiency Learning and Teaching Strategies and Methods The Learning and Teaching Methods for the Module follow the intended on-line deliver Strategy for the Programme as a whole. The module will be delivered through the provision of specified reading materials which shall be provided on the module/programme learning platform, which shall be supported by specified discussion forums and weekly online lectures using the Kaplan Live synchronous communication and application sharing facility. Weekly online lectures are normally of 45 minutes duration. Students will be provided with indicative guidance on, and encouraged to look at, relevant websites which are appropriate to the module, and to identify and share appropriate web-based resources as learning support references with their fellow students and as indicators of their individual learning contexts with their tutors. The live lectures will include referenced use of selected case studies which will be drawn from the reading materials/web based module learning resources and the practice-based and professional/educational contexts and experience of the Tutors. At pre-arranged and regularly agreed points, on specified days and times in advance of each lecture (typically two to three days prior to the lecture) there will be a drop in telephone/or on line preparatory learning liaison session conducted between the student(s) and tutor, typically lasting for 20 to 30 minutes. These sessions are designed to provide students with an introductory preview of the week s work and give them an opportunity to ask specific and general questions related to that week s learning opportunities and to enable them to contextualise their learning experience. Self-managed learning will supplement lectures and students are given weekly direction on required and indicative reading. Assessment Rationale The Assessment Rationale for this and other Programme modules will be directly based upon the activity undertaken by the student within the module and will be related to their performance in each of the four Assessed elements which are identified for the module, namely their Discussion Contribution, Regular Assignments, Integration Report, and End of Module Project. Assessment Methods and Weightings Students will be assessed through four specific assessment elements each of which has an agreed assessment weighting for the Module. When combined the marks awarded to each element of assessment are used to calculate the overall aggregated final mark for the Module. The assessment elements and their respective weighted contributions are as follows: Discussion Contributions 20% Regular Assignments 40% Integration Report 20% End of Module Project 20% 5
Dealing with Offending Behaviour Level: 4 Credit Value: 15 Pre-requisites: None Module Description This module aims to: 1. Develop an understanding of those options available, throughout the criminal justice system, for dealing with offenders. 2. Evaluate the effectiveness of these options 3. Identify and assess how persistent offenders are managed 4. Examine the role of governmental bodies responsible for dealing with offenders after conviction 5. Examine the statutes that inform the management of offending behaviour 6. Review the recent changes in the approach to dealing with offending behaviour Intended Learning Outcomes On completion of this module, students will be able to: 1. Outline the key principles of prevention, intervention and rehabilitation 2. Recognise and evaluate those factors which determine police action when dealing with offender behaviour 3. Recognise the legal constraints placed upon the judiciary when sentencing 4. Identify and differentiate between the key 'tools' for controlling offenders in the community 5. Understand the roles and responsibilities of the key agencies which deal with offenders after sentencing 6. Explain the different considerations and approaches used to deal with juvenile, male and female offenders Indicative Content 1. Prevention, Intervention and Rehabilitation - A Look at the history of crime prevention Consider the concept of prevention Explore situational crime prevention 2. Prevention, Intervention and Rehabilitation - B Evaluate social and community crime prevention Consider the policy developments in the UK Review how theory can inform approaches to crime prevention 3. Sentencing - A Consider custodial and non-custodial sentencing options available to the courts Review trends in non-custodial sentencing Examine the history of community-based punishments 4. Sentencing B 6
Examine the history of sentencing policy Analyse sentencing reform under the Criminal Justice Acts of 1991 and 2003 Evaluate the aims of sentencing reform under the New Labour government Review the changes made under the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 5. Youth Justice A Examine trends in youthful offending Review the aggravating factors associated with youth crime Consider the experience of young people as victims of crime Discuss how juvenile offenders are classified 6. Youth Justice B Consider the Conservative and Labour governments' approaches to youth justice Examine the development of youth justice in a wider context Analyse the effectiveness of youth justice policies Review the Youth Restorative Disposal Order Pilot Scheme 7. Male / Female Offending Compare/Contrast the different patterns of male and female offending behaviour Consider the research on reasons for male and female offending behaviour Evaluate the differences in sentencing for male and female offenders 8. Female Offenders Consider the experience of female offenders in the Criminal Justice system Analyse the make-up of the female prison population Examine the response of the National Offender Management Service to female offending behaviour 9. Sentencing A Examine the aggravating and mitigating factors influencing sentencing decisions Consider the implications of these factors for developing sentencing guidelines Evaluate the results of the Crown Court sentencing survey 10. Sentencing B Critically evaluate the implications of the recommendations in The Carter Review Review the role of the Sentencing Council Consider the approaches of the sentencing Council in improving sentencing guidelines and addressing issues of public confidence and the impact of sentencing decisions on victims Assess the organisation and work of the National Offender Management Service Learning and Teaching Strategies and Methods The Learning and Teaching Methods for the Module follow the intended on-line deliver Strategy for the Programme as a whole. The module will be delivered through the provision of specified reading materials which shall be provided on the module/programme learning platform, which shall be supported by specified discussion forums and weekly online lectures using the Kaplan Live synchronous communication and application sharing facility. Weekly online lectures are normally of 45 minutes duration. Students will be provided with indicative guidance on, and encouraged to look at, relevant websites which are appropriate to the module, and to identify and share appropriate web-based resources as learning 7
support references with their fellow students and as indicators of their individual learning contexts with their tutors. The live lectures will include referenced use of selected case studies which will be drawn from the reading materials/web based module learning resources and the practice-based and professional/educational contexts and experience of the Tutors. At pre-arranged and regularly agreed points, on specified days and times in advance of each lecture (typically two to three days prior to the lecture) there will be a drop in telephone/or on line preparatory learning liaison session conducted between the student(s) and tutor, typically lasting for 20 to 30 minutes. These sessions are designed to provide students with an introductory preview of the week s work and give them an opportunity to ask specific and general questions related to that week s learning opportunities and to enable them to contextualise their learning experience. Self-managed learning will supplement lectures and students are given weekly direction on required and indicative reading. Assessment Rationale The Assessment Rationale for this and other Programme modules will be directly based upon the activity undertaken by the student within the module and will be related to their performance in each of the four Assessed elements which are identified for the module, namely their Discussion Contribution, Regular Assignments, Integration Report, and End of Module Project. Assessment Methods and Weightings Students will be assessed through four specific assessment elements each of which has an agreed assessment weighting for the Module. When combined the marks awarded to each element of assessment are used to calculate the overall aggregated final mark for the Module. The assessment elements and their respective weighted contributions are as follows: Discussion Contributions 20% Regular Assignments 40% Journal Report 20% End of Module Project 20% 8
Introduction to Criminology Level: 4 Credit Value: 15 Pre-requisites: None Module Description This module aims to: 1. Give you the opportunity to develop your understanding of a range of criminological issues. 2. Introduce you to various definitions and understanding of crime and criminal behaviour. 3. Explore the role of criminogenic factors which may trigger criminal behaviour. 4. Introduce you to a range of historical and contemporary criminological perspectives on crime. 5. Identify the dark side of crime statistics and their meaning. 6. Explore the role of media, TV and movies in affecting popular perception on crime and criminality. Intended Learning Outcomes On completion of this module, students will be able to: 1. Identify and differentiate between a variety of definitions of crime. 2. Understand and evaluate key historical and contemporary criminological theories of crime. 3. Recognise and critically assess a number of perspectives related to the explanation of crime perpetration. Indicative Content 1. Introduction to criminology Assess definitions of criminality. Consider the scope of criminology and how it differs from forensic psychology. Identify the development of crime and punishment through history. Reflect upon historical perspectives on criminology, particularly those that have had a substantial influence on more contemporary theories. 2. First theoretical developments: classicism and positivism Understand the classical criminology approach. Explore writings by Beccaria and Bentham. Understand the positivism approach to criminology. Assess writings by Lombroso, Ferri and Goring. Critically reflect upon the impact of these theories. 3. Further developments 1: Biological positivism Understand the biological approach to criminology. Examine old and modern research findings. Explore the interaction between biological and social-factors in determining criminal behaviour. 9
Critically assess biochemical theories of criminality. 4. Further developments 2: Psychological positivism Understand the psychological approach to criminology. Assess the connection between psychoanalysis and crime. Understand learning theories and their approach to criminal behaviour. 5. Sociological criminology Understand Durkheim s discussion on crime and its influence on criminological writings. Understand the concept of anomie. Examine the strain theory. 6. Social research and criminology Understand the impact of the Chicago School on criminological thoughts. Assess major theories developed by the Chicago School. Examine the development of culture and subculture sociological theories. Reflect upon the difference between American and British subculture theories. 7. Social interaction and criminology Understand the interaction between deviate behaviour and criminology. Examine the emergence of labelling theory. Reflect upon the theory of stigma. Assess the theory of shaming. 8. Feminist criminology Understand in which way female offenders were presented and understood in early criminological research and theory. Examine the rise of feminist criminology. Reflect upon some of the variety of work undertaken within feminist criminology. Assess the impact that feminism has had on criminological thoughts. 9. Crime data and crime trends Identify the different ways of measuring crime. Understand official crime statistic. Understand victimisation survey. Reflect upon crime trend. Critically assess the validity and accuracy of crime statistics in measuring crime trend. 10. Crime and the media Examine how crime and criminals are portrayed on television and in the press. Identify the impact that crime representation may have on public perceptions. Understand the notion of moral panics. Learning and Teaching Strategies and Methods The Learning and Teaching Methods for the Module follow the intended on-line deliver Strategy for the Programme as a whole. The module will be delivered through the provision of specified reading materials which shall be provided on the module/programme learning platform, which shall be supported by specified discussion forums and lecturecasts, supported by fortnightly synchronous Q+A sessions. 10
Students will be provided with indicative guidance on, and encouraged to look at, relevant websites which are appropriate to the module, and to identify and share appropriate web-based resources as learning support references with their fellow students and as indicators of their individual learning contexts with their tutors. The lecturecasts will include referenced use of selected case studies which will be drawn from the reading materials/web based module learning resources and the practice-based and professional/educational contexts and experience of the Tutors. Assessment Rationale The Assessment Rationale for this and other Programme modules will be directly based upon the activity undertaken by the student within the module and will be related to their performance in each of the four Assessed elements which are identified for the module, namely their Discussion Contribution, Regular Assignments, Integration Report, and End of Module Project. Assessment Methods and Weightings Students will be assessed through four specific assessment elements each of which has an agreed assessment weighting for the Module. When combined the marks awarded to each element of assessment are used to calculate the overall aggregated final mark for the Module. The assessment elements and their respective weighted contributions are as follows: Discussion Contributions 20% Regular Assignments 40% Journal Report 20% End of Module Project 20% 11
The Criminal Justice System Level: 4 Credit Value: 15 Pre-requisites: None Module Description This module aims to: 1. Introduce you to the topic of criminal justice system and process. 2. Explore the impact of crime, its costs and issues related to victims of crimes. 3. Prepare you to critically assess and reflect upon the roles and powers of the criminal justice agencies and personnel. 4. Provide you with an overview of how the criminal justice system is set to prevent, detect, prosecute and punish crimes. Intended Learning Outcomes On completion of this module, students will be able to: 1. Critically discuss the understanding of crime and criminalisation. 2. Understand the problem of crime trends and accuracy of measurements. 3. Identify roles and powers of criminal justice agencies. 4. Understand the various issues related to crime prevention, detection, prosecution and punishment. Indicative Content 1. Defining criminal justice Understand the aims and function of the criminal justice. Reflect upon the criminal justice paradigms and definitions. Explore criminal justice policy and political administration. 2. Understanding crime and its impact Explore legal categories of criminal offences. Look into the costs of crime. Understand the impact of crime on victims and society at large. 3. Crime measurement and trends Assess the accuracy of crime statistics and crime trends. Understand the impact of crime statistics on the public. Explore the impact of the media on public perception. 4. The management of the CJS Understand governmental involvement. Reflect upon the role of the Home office, Ministry of Justice and the Office of the Attorney General. Assess the role of the National Offender Management Service. 12
5. Crime detection and prevention Understand the role and powers of the police. Assess crime prevention initiatives Understand the role of the crime prosecution service and its interaction with the police. 6. The court process Understand the role of the Crime Prosecution Service. Explore the personnel of the judiciary. Look into pre-trial and trial process. Understand the role of the Legal Service Commission. 7. The probation service and community penalties Understand the development of community sentences. Explore the role of the probation service. 8. Ancillary criminal justices agencies Explore the roles of volunteers in the CJS and major charities. Understand the role of CJ partners like Serco and G4. 9. Restorative justice and prisons Understand the connection between imprisonment and penal policies. Identify restorative justice definition. Explore types of restorative justice. Assess restorative justice as an alternative to prison. 10. Youth justice Understand the main problems faced by the youth justice system. Explore the issue of young people and imprisonment. Identify alternatives to the punishment of young offenders. Learning and Teaching Strategies and Methods The Learning and Teaching Methods for the Module follow the intended on-line deliver Strategy for the Programme as a whole. The module will be delivered through the provision of specified reading materials which shall be provided on the module/programme learning platform, which shall be supported by specified discussion forums and lecturecasts, supported by fortnightly synchronous Q+A sessions. Students will be provided with indicative guidance on, and encouraged to look at, relevant websites which are appropriate to the module, and to identify and share appropriate web-based resources as learning support references with their fellow students and as indicators of their individual learning contexts with their tutors. The lecturecasts will include referenced use of selected case studies which will be drawn from the reading materials/web based module learning resources and the practice-based and professional/educational contexts and experience of the Tutors. Assessment Rationale The Assessment Rationale for this and other Programme modules will be directly based upon the activity undertaken by the student within the module and will be related to their performance in each of the four 13
Assessed elements which are identified for the module, namely their Discussion Contribution, Regular Assignments, Integration Report, and End of Module Project. Assessment Methods and Weightings Students will be assessed through four specific assessment elements each of which has an agreed assessment weighting for the Module. When combined the marks awarded to each element of assessment are used to calculate the overall aggregated final mark for the Module. The assessment elements and their respective weighted contributions are as follows: Discussion Contributions 20% Regular Assignments 40% Journal Report 20% End of Module Project 20% 14