Bristol UWE - Module specification: -

University of the West of England

MODULE SPECIFICATION

(Template revised October 2005)

Code: UPSNLJ-30-1 Title: Introduction to Human Rights for Criminology Version:1

Level: 1 UWE credit rating: 30 ECTS credit rating: 15

Module type: Standard

Owning Faculty: Social Sciences and Humanities Field: Sociology and Criminology

Valid from: September 2008 Discontinued from: N/A

Contributes towards: FdA Criminology and Criminal Justice

Pre-requisites: None

Co-requisites: None

Excluded combinations: None

Learning outcomes:

On completion of the module students are expected to demonstrate:

1. Knowledge and understanding of the Human Rights Act 1998. (component A&B)

2. Knowledge and understanding of the Convention rights with particular reference to Articles 2, 3, 5 & 6. (component A&B)

3. Knowledge and understanding of the case law. (component A&B)

Syllabus outline:

This module is an introductory course through which the students will explore the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA) with particular emphasis on crime, punishment and prisoner’s rights. Although Content may vary from year to year, the module is expected to include:

- Introduction to the Human Rights Act 1998

- The general principles governing the approach to the Convention by the European Court of Human Rights

- The Right to Life, death sentence, assisted suicide, deaths caused by law enforcement agencies, duty to protect life, health care and abortion.

- Cruel and unusual, degrading, punishment and/or treatment. Torture, corporal punishment, prison conditions, deportation, minimum sentences including the life sentence, police interrogations.

- Criminal justice and the Convention. Right to liberty and security of the person – the nature of the interest protected, arrest and detention, rights for the arrestee, reasons for their detention, conditions, rights whilst in police custody, rights in relation to trial, entrapment.

Teaching and learning methods:

1. Lectures to provide an introduction to each subject area and outline the key issues.

2. Seminars providing structured discussion of contemporary issues relating to the Convention and the Human Rights Act.

The lecture programme will be supported by use of Audio-visual resources.

Seminar support enhanced by use of electronic media such as Blackboard discussion groups, UWE online, email.

Reading Strategy:

Students will be required to read at least one book chapter or journal article to prepare for each lecture/seminar subject area. The students will given the details of the books and recommended journal articles and are expected to go to the library to obtain them themselves. The majority of the core readings will be placed on short loan in the library. As there is a strong element of student-led learning, students will be expected to identify relevant sources for those topics they elect to study in more detail. They will therefore be encouraged to use the library catalogue, bibliographic and full text databases and internet resources.

Indicative Reading List:

The following list is offered to provide validation panels/accrediting bodies with an indication of the type and level of information students may be expected to consult. As such, its currency may wane during the life span of the module specification. However, as indicated above, CURRENT advice on readings will be available via other more frequently updated mechanisms.

Doak, Jonathan. (2008). Victims rights, human rights and criminal justice. Oxford. Hart

European Human Rights Law Review.

Fenwick, H., Phillipson, G., and Masterman, R. (2007). Judicial reasoning under the UK Human Rights Act. Cambridge. Cambridge University Press.

Hass, M. (2008). International human rights. London. Routledge,

Janis,M.W., Kay, R.S., and Bradley, A.W. (2000) European Human Rights Law (2^nd Edition). Oxford, OUP.

Letsas, G. (2007). A theory of interpretation of the European Convention on Human Rights. Oxford. Oxford University Press

Summers, S.J. (2007). Fair trials : the European criminal procedural tradition and the European Court of Human Rights. Oxford : Hart.

The International Journal of Human Rights

Assessment

Weighting between components A and B A: 50% B: 50%

ATTEMPT 1

First Assessment Opportunity

Component A

Description of each element Element weighting 50%

1. 1x3 hour unseen examination

Component B

Description of each element (Controlled conditions) Element weighting 25%

1. Essay (2,000 words)

2. Essay (2,000 words) Element weighting 25%

Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes is not required)