BA (Hons) Criminology and Criminal Justice and Law with Foundation Year

This module will cover the basic character of tortious liability; The origins of the tort of negligence. The historical development of the duty of care. The standard of care and breach of the duty of care. Causation in fact and law. Nervous shock law. Pure economic loss and liability for omissions. Occupiers' liability and trespass to the person. You will also examine the availability of tortious defences in these areas.

To introduce students to how we think about crime and criminal justice. The module explores how popular and official knowledge about crime and victimisation are constructed. It goes on to locate these constructions within the context of contemporary British society.

This module will introduce students to the key elements of the Criminal Justice System (CJS) in England and Wales. It highlights how the police, CPS, courts, jury and sentencing operate independently but also within a wider framework, thereby giving students vital introductory information that is required to explore the deeper workings of the system later within their degree. There is also opportunity to consider potential future careers within the CJS (through listening to guest speakers who work in the field, asking questions and reflecting upon their own possible aspirations within seminars) and work towards the Wolverhampton Enterprise and Employability Award Silver Level (WEEA). The assessment for this module also builds upon the employability theme of this module, as students take on the roles of different parts of the CJS and develop team work, debating and presentation skills.

This module will review the importance of advocacy in challenging disadvantage and in raising awareness of issues that impact on the health, wellbeing and efficacy of citizens locally, nationally and/ or globally. It will also focus on skills for the workplace, including working in a team and research skills. It will examine the importance of knowledge to a functioning society, including active citizen engagement, and how to access reliable information to support the campaign. It will examine the skills needed to work productively in a team and how to put them into practice. The module will review successful awareness raising campaigns, leading to the development and implementation of a campaign or event.

Constitutional and Administrative Law looks at the organisation of the State, key aspects of the British Constitution, Parliamentary Sovereignty, Judicial Control, the Human Rights Act 1998, the European Convention on Human Rights and the Equality Act 2010

The module examines the notion of rights, with particular reference to the rights enshrined in the Human Rights Act 1998. The legal issues arising from claims that human rights have been infringed are examined in the context of case law. This in turn illustrates the relevant legal principles that are applied and remedies available for infringement.

The module aims to provide students with a comprehensive introduction to victimology, an important and increasingly relevant subject within the discipline of Criminology. The module will provide students with an overview of the development of victimology and its history, theoretical perspectives in victimology, the measurement of victimisation, victims in the media, the nature and impact of the victim experience including that of the criminal justice process, and the development of support services and victim policy. The module will consider key issues and debates within victimology and in relation to victims of particular types of crimes.

Framing the Criminological World offers a critical exploration of explanations and understandings of crime through a criminological lens. The module provides students with an understanding of criminology as a theoretical and applied discipline. Therefore, the module analyses criminological theories of crime and deviance and explores the application of theories in real-life cases. The module focuses on a variety of forms of theory, from Labelling and Reintegrative Shaming Theory to Conflict Theory. The spatial and temporal dynamics of the criminological theory are examined with reference to debates on the carnival of crime and political agendas. Collectively the sessions enable students to develop a comprehensive knowledge and theoretical understanding of criminology as an applied discipline. Finally, it will explore criminological theory as a distinct criminological topic, whilst examining its relationship with social science broadly.

This module will introduce students to both qualitative and quantitative research methods in the social sciences. The distinction can be over-stated given as many research projects now use mixed methods, but a difference does exist and it is necessary to unpack it for heuristic purposes. The module will proceed through first outlining the background and key aspects of the qualitative and quantitative traditions, before providing case examples of field work using particular research techniques (surveys, semi structured interviews) within the two broad approaches.

The module aims to : i. provide awareness of the different types of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), as an alternative to civil litigation through the English Legal System, for civil dispute resolution; ii. provide an introduction to negotiation, arbitration and mediation as a means of alternative dispute resolution; iii. provide guidance on negotiation skills theory and practice to enable students to develop and/or enhance their verbal communication, negotiation and presentation skills.

This module will look at the procedure and processes involved in criminal investigation and litigation with regards to the core principles of criminal liability, building upon the substantive criminal offences covered in the level 4 module Substantive Crime. This is an application based module, where students will learn about the criminal litigation process based on real life scenarios, interactive learning, role play, lectures and seminars. Students will be expected to draw on and apply knowledge f the following areas of law and practice: • Core legal principles of criminal liability relating to a number of offences; • The procedure and processes at the police station, including advising the client prior to interview; • The procedure and processed involved in prosecuting and defending a case before the Magistrates, Crown and Youth Courts.

Environmental Crime offers a critical exploration of environmental dangers through a criminological lens. It assesses the cultural and legal parameters of causing harm to the planet (Green Criminology) by considering what constitutes an environmental crime in contrasting contexts. The module focuses on a variety of forms of environmental crime, from fast fashions to the illegal trade and poaching of wildlife. The spatial and progressive dynamics of environmental factors are examined with reference to debates on black markets and cultural rituals. Collectively the lectures enable students to develop comprehensive knowledge and theoretical understanding of Green Criminology. The module explores environmental crime as a distinct criminological topic, whilst examining its relationship with criminology and criminal justice more broadly.

The concept of the family becomes more difficult to define. For a lawyer definitions are important because mutual rights and obligation arise within certain relationships and not others. The module will examine the rights and duties that arise on marriage both towards spouses and children born within marriage. Mutual responsibilities now extend beyond the traditional married relationship to include same sex civil partnerships and whilst cohabitees might not have legal responsibilities to each other they do in relation to their children. The module will consider the legal response to forced marriage, the law on divorce and the application of legislation which provides a framework for the courts to settle property and maintenance disputes on divorce. In relation to children the module will deal briefly with the legal concept of parentage, consider the extent of parental rights and consider the principles developed through the courts to resolve disputes over where children should live following divorce and what the contact rights should be for the other parent. The module will also consider the law’s response to domestic violence, a recognised serious problem which affects a very significant number of families. The injunctive remedies available to victims and the legal basis for a successful application for a remedy will be examined. Where relevant the position of cohabitees in respect of each of the above areas studied will be integrated into the teaching.

Brief Module Description The Beveridge Report aimed to rid society of five "Giant Evils": squalor, ignorance, want, idleness and disease, yet poverty still blights the lives of millions in this country. Why, despite the welfare state, are people still poor or are homeless or living in unacceptable housing? This module will involve an examination of the differing theories of poverty and the ideologies and models of welfare and welfare provision. The module will also examine the welfare state and housing provision in the UK in its historical, legal, political and social context.

To introduce students to the history of the modern police force. To examine the relationship between police and society.

This module provides opportunities for community-based learning through voluntary community engagement. This activity will enable you to understand the relevance of your studies within a community context, combining practical experience with academic studies. In addition, it is an opportunity to develop a critical understanding of the Third Sector, and the notion of citizenship. Both subject specific and transferable skills will be developed and utilised throughout this module, thus developing graduate employment attributes.

To enable study in depth of certain contemporary issues in criminology. To allow critical evaluation of issues in criminology and to relate these to theory, policy and practice.

This module aims to examine how crime in modern society is prevented and controlled. To critically examine informal and formal methods of controlling crime. To address ways in which the broader behaviour and lifestyles of particular individuals and social groups are controlled through crime control.

The Criminology and Criminal Justice Project aims to provide Criminology and Criminal Justice students with the opportunity to research an area of criminological interest in some depth.

The module will provide an overview of general employment law matters in the context of the employer employee relationship from recruitment to dismissal. It will introduce the key themes which need to be aware of in order to comply with their obligations and act within the law. It will explore current issues from time to time for example dealing with underperformance, absenteeism and related contractual matters within the legal framework. Major topics for example dismissal and discrimination and rights within the workplace will also be covered.

Internet law is a module concerned with the legal issues arising from online activities. The law is responding to developments and new challenges such as cybercrime, data protection, privacy, social media abuses, internet regulation, and cyber-squatting claims to name a few. This module will consider the diverse legal responses to the broad challenges posed by online interaction.  

The module will focus on developments in modern punishment within the UK from 1948 to the present day. It will provide students with the opportunity to learn about, debate and critically discuss the fundamental changes in punishment methods following the introduction of the 1948 Criminal Justice Act, which abolished the use and distinction between convict and local prisons and which also paved the way (at least in theory) for a more rehabilitative and reformative approach to punishment of both adults and juveniles. It will allow students a deeper understanding of both how and why we have the current system of punishing offenders, and also ask them to consider the degree to which such a system is effective in its means of punishment.

The module will focus on three different topics: nationality law with particular attention to British nationality, the concept of statelessness and EU citizenship. International migration with particular attention to migration from countries not belonging to the EU to the EU and the UK, irregular migration and the connected crimes of human trafficking and people smuggling. International Refugee law where we will explore the International Convention of Refugee Law, asylum law in the UK and in the EU and the interaction between these two legal systems.

This module focuses on theoretical perspectives, practices, and the foundations of offender rehabilitation, desistance, and the process of change. It explores the precepts of rehabilitation of offenders, what works in offender management, and how the relevant theories and interventions inform these practices and the practitioners. Desistance is introduced as an associated to rehabilitation concept to particularly inform the understanding of the processes that aspire to ceasing offending behaviour (Weaver and McNeil, 2007). Central part of the above exploration is the supervision of offenders which invites exploration of key aspects and methods, such as Relationship building, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioural techniques, and the Risk-Need-Responsivity and Good Lives models. The module appreciates that multi-agency working remains vital to the above processes and as such the enablers, barriers, and challenges around multi-agency work in rehabilitation are examined. It further incorporates consideration of the elements of diversity, inclusion, and discrimination in the rehabilitation context and how these affect the prospects of community reintegration (Thompson, 2012). The module also aims to integrate examination of the place and role of probation in the process of change due to its direct association with rehabilitation and desistance. The focus of this module enriches the scope of the CCJ curriculum and develop the knowledge from other modules, such as Criminal Justice, Punishment and Society, Prisons and Prisoners, and Theories of Crime. It further integrates the students' critical understanding of Probation and Offender Management and their role within the criminal justice journey. Quite crucially, this module may also assist graduates interested in joining the Probation Service and the relevant training programme (PQiP). The current HMPPS guidance provides that the period of the training programme is reduced from 21 to 15 months if the applicant's degree covered three out of the four listed topics, namely The Criminal Justice System, Understanding Crime and Criminal Behaviour, Penal Policy and the Punishment of Offenders, and Rehabilitation of Offenders, and they clarify that eligible applicants need to have studied modules on at least three of the four topics as part of a degree. As the fourth one in the above list is directly linked and covered in the present module, 6CJ015 provides a great benefit to the students concerned. Additionally, as a standalone module focussing on desistance and rehabilitation, 6CJ015 is very useful to those interested in mentoring or prison work too. It is also worth noting the timeliness of this module which is also telling of its necessity in CCJ curriculums. The part-privatised infrastructure of Probation Service in England and Wales is set to undergo a process of re-nationalisation in June 2021 which will renew and enhance the attention and interest in the service and offender management. The module's focus on rehabilitation, desistance, and supervision as well as direct links to employability makes it now an essential part of a CCJ programme more than ever.

The module aims to provide students with the opportunity to study a topic in the area of law, Criminology or Criminal Justice in greater detail than is possible on a taught module. By undertaking this module the students will not only increase their knowledge of the principles and topical issues concerning the particular area selected but also the opportunity to develop skills in legal and/or sociological research and academic writing and presentation. Students will employ appropriate research theories and methodologies to facilitate the deeper understanding of a topic required to underpin the completion of an extended piece of writing.

This module examines concepts and theories of serious and organised crime and evaluates its development, impact and initiatives taken to tackle it. Case study material will include drug smuggling, human trafficking, environmental crime and maritime piracy.        

The aim of this module is to introduce students to the idea of young people as criminals, and the youth justice system they move through. Youth crime has been a persistent concern over the past century, with an increasing societal focus and concern on anti-social behaviour. This module will allow students to consider the emergence of ‘youth offending’ and consider whether current youth justice policy is working. The module will explore youth pathways into crime and the treatment of young people in the YJS. The welfare vs. justice debate will be explored and students will gain a critical appreciation of the theory and ideas underpinning youth justice policy and practice in England and Wales.