Criminal Justice Issues LAW4168

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: School of Law
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

This course will examine a range of contemporary issues and debates relating to the criminal justice system. It will do so with particular reference to United Kingdom jurisdictions (especially Scotland), but will also draw upon the experiences of other jurisdictions and the case law of the European Court of Human Rights. The particular issues covered will vary on a year by year basis but are likely to include topics such as the prosecution of sexual offences, the use of juries in criminal trials, the use of restorative justice and victim involvement in criminal justice processes.

Timetable

10 x 2-hour seminars

Requirements of Entry

This course is only available to LLB students.

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

1 hour exam (50% of final grade)

2,500-word essay (50% of final grade)

Main Assessment In: April/May

Are reassessment opportunities available for all summative assessments? Not applicable for Honours courses

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. Where, exceptionally, reassessment on Honours courses is required to satisfy professional/accreditation requirements, only the overall course grade achieved at the first attempt will contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

Course Aims

This course will:

 

1. Introduce students to issues in criminal justice policy in the UK, with particular reference to Scotland.

2. Help students to develop and apply conceptual, critical and analytical skills to issues associated with contemporary criminal justice in the UK, with particular reference to Scotland.. 

3. Provide an opportunity to assess the role of material from other jurisdictions as a source of understanding and critical analysis of the Scottish experience.

4. Provide an opportunity to carry out an independent research project on a topic of contemporary relevance.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

 

1. Understand and critically evaluate issues in criminal justice policy.

2. Undertake independent research using a variety of legal and non-legal sources.

3. Exhibit a wide knowledge of both primary and secondary sources in relation to the topics covered.

4. Demonstrate oral communication skills, with a particular focus on presenting knowledge and information to support oral argument.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.