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LAW3657: PUNISHMENT

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Type Open
Level 3
Credits 10
Availability Available in 2024/2025
Module Cap
Location Durham
Department Law

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combinations of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To critically examine the main theories of punishment
  • To explore the ways in which penal purposes are defended
  • To enable students to consider how different theories are applied in sentencing

Content

  • This module explores at least some of the following topics (at discretion of lecturer):
  • The definition of punishment
  • Retributive theories
  • Deterrence theories
  • Rehabilitative theories & restorative justice
  • Hybrid theories (Rawls and Hart)
  • Expressivist theories
  • Unified theory
  • Capital punishment
  • Applied case studies

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

  • Students should be able to:
  • Understand the key concepts and main debates about punishment
  • Develop a critical knowledge and understanding of punishment and its application in sentencing

Subject-specific Skills:

  • Students should be able to:
  • Understand the ways in which punishment is justified and applied
  • Identify and use primary and secondary sources relevant to this subject-matter
  • Identify contemporary debates and engage with them

Key Skills:

  • Students should be able to:
  • Gain an understanding about theories of punishment and their application in sentencing
  • Understand and be able to engage with the concepts used
  • Discuss issues relating to punishment and sentencing in a constructive and coherent manner

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • This module introduces students to theories of punishment and their application in sentencing. The module explores general theories based around single penal purposes as well as hybrid and unified theories combining multiple penal purposes. Seminars will discuss some of the leading figures and their key contributions.
  • The module will be seminar-based. Each will be 2-hours with an introduction to a topic followed by discussion.
  • Assessments are used to develop the ability to understand the topic in a critical way. The formative essay is a review of an approved text where students will engage critically with a leading work in the field. The summative essay is on an approved topic of the students choice relating to any one of the topics covered in the module.
  • Students will be supported and encouraged in the development of their research and writing skills.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Seminars6Normally fortnightly in Epiphany Term2 hours12 
Preparation and reading88 
TOTAL100 

Summative Assessment

Component: Summative EssayComponent Weighting: 100%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
summative essay2500 words100N

Formative Assessment

1,000 word review of key work in penal theory

More information

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