University of the West of England
MODULE SPECIFICATION
(Revised October 2005)
Code: UPSNMX-30-2 Title: Youth Crime, Youth Justice Version: 2
Level: 2 UWE credit rating: 30 ECTS credit rating: 15
Module type: Standard
Owning Faculty: SSH Field: Sociology
Valid from: September 2008 Discontinued from:
Contributes towards: Awards up to BA (Hons)
Pre-requisites: None
Co-requisites: None
Excluded combinations: None
Learning outcomes:
Students are expected to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of youth crime upon young offenders, society and policy (assessment components A and B).
2. Discuss and debate the way in which the youth justice system responds to youth crime (assessment components A and B).
3. Locate contemporary practices involved in working with young offenders, preventing youth offending and re-offending within a broad theoretical framework of understanding (assessment components A and B).
4. Demonstrate a critical understanding of a variety of theoretical criminological approaches related to the study of youth crime and justice (assessment components A and B).
5. Demonstrate an appreciation of the variety and complexity of issues (sociological, methodological, ethical, and political) raised by the study of the youth justice system and youth crime (assessment components A and B).
6. Demonstrate an appreciation of the limitations of youth justice in regulating crime and social disorder in late modern/postmodern societies and of possible non-punitive alternatives (assessment components A and B).
7. Demonstrate an ability to develop and present a coherent, analytical, well reasoned argument in essay form (assessment component B)
8. Demonstrate an ability to make a criminologically informed contribution to group work and seminar discussions
Syllabus outline:
The aim of the module is to introduce students to issues surrounding youth crime and youth justice in relation to the English and Welsh youth justice system. It will enable students to develop an understanding of the notion of childhood and delinquency from an historical perspective and from this perspective examine the extent and causes of youth crime and how these affect societal, political and professional attitudes. This will be done through an examination of public opinion of youth activities and crime, policy development, societal fear of youth crime etc. The student will also develop an awareness of the policy underpinning the youth justice system and examine the welfare versus justice debate in determining whether young people should be treated differently to adult offenders. Throughout students will be encouraged to address critically the practices of dealing with delinquent youths, focusing on issues such as effectiveness, fairness and accountability of the work done with youth offenders and those at risk of offending. This discussion will be informed by different criminological theoretical approaches which are used in the understanding of youth crime and youth justice. The module will also look at comparative youth justice issues in order to enhance debate around cultural and political perspectives, whilst continuing to consider the issue of the rights of young people as both offenders and victims.
The precise focus of the module is likely to vary from year to year depending on issues of topicality and research developments in the field. But the syllabus will generally include:
• Historical context - the notion of childhood and delinquency:
• Explaining youth crime – the theories:
• Youth crime – extent, causes and moral panic:
• Children and young people as victims:
• Youth Justice Policy – the welfare versus justice debate:
• Children who kill:
• Multi-agency working and perspectives:
• Cognitive Interviewing of young offenders and child witnesses:
• Youth Culture, Gangs and Subcultures:
• Restorative Justice - theory and practice:
• Youth Diversion – cautioning/ final warnings, intermediate treatment, community penalties, intensive supervision programmes, mentoring, community-based recreation programmes
• ‘What works’ with young offenders – cognitive behavioural programmes, parenting orders, risk and protective factors, etc.
• Youth Penal Institutions
• Anti-social behaviour, Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs) and Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs)
• Comparative youth justice systems (Scotland, Republic of Ireland, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Europe)
Teaching and learning methods:
• Weekly lectures
• Weekly seminars based on a combination of small group discussions, set presentations, and collaborative reading of key texts.
Reading Strategy
Students will be encouraged to buy one core text; other essential reading will be provided electronically or as printed study packs. Students will be encouraged to read widely using the library catalogue and internet resources as it is vital that they continue to develop the skills to research and critique the literature. There is a substantial amount of literature relating to this subject and it is important that students use that which is most appropriate and up to date. In order to assist the student with this a list of recommended texts and a guide to the most appropriate internet resources will be given in the module handbook.
Indicative Reading List:
Braithwaite, J. (1989). Crime, Shame and Reintegration. Cambridge. Cambridge University Press.
Brown, S. (1998). Understanding Youth Crime. Buckingham. Open University Press.
Burnett, R., and Appleton, C. (2004). Joined-up Youth Justice: Tackling youth crime in partnership. Lyme Regis. Russell House Publishing.
Farrington, D. (1995). Understanding and Preventing Youth Crime. London. Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
Goldson, B. (1999). (Ed). Youth Justice: Contemporary Policy and Practice. Aldershot. Ashgate.
Goldson, B. (2000). (Ed). The New Youth Justice. Lyme Regis. Russell House Publishing.
Haines, K., and Drakeford, M. (1998). Young People and youth Justice. Basingstoke. MacMillan.
Hough, M. (2004). Youth crime and Youth Justice. Bristol. Policy Press.
McGuire J (2002) Offender Rehabilitation and Treatment. Effective Programmes and Policies to Reduce Re-Offending. Wiley.
Muncie, J. (1999). Youth and Crime: A Critical Introduction. London. Sage Publications.
Muncie, J. (2004). Youth and Crime. 2nd edition. London. Sage Publications.
Muncie, J and Goldson, B. (Forthcoming 2006). Comparative Youth Justice. London. Sage Publications
Pickford, J. (2000). (Ed). Youth Justice : Theory and Practice. London. Cavendish.
Pitts, J. (2001). The new politics of youth crime: Discipline or solidarity. Basingstoke. Palgrave.
Smith, R. (2003). Youth justice : ideas, policy, practice. Collumpton. Willan Publishing.
Squires, P., and Stephen, D.E. (2005). Roughre Justice: Anti-social behaviour and young people. Collumpton. Willan Publishing.
Assessment
Weighting between components A and B A: 50% B: 50%
ATTEMPT 1
First Assessment Opportunity
Component A
Description of each element Element weighting
1. 1 x 3hour examination 50%
Component B
Description of each element Element weighting
1. 1 x 2000 word essay 25%
2. Individual seminar presentation 25%
Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes is not required)
Component A
Description of each element Element weighting
1. 1 x 3 hour examination 50%
Component B
Description of each element Element weighting
1. 1 x 3000 word essay 50%
SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT: Attendance at taught classes is not required.
Specification confirmed by ……Approved at VARSC meeting……Date ……25.11.05…………
(Associate Dean/Programme Director)