LAW10490 Intro to Criminal Justice

Academic Year 2023/2024

This 5 credit module explores crime and its control through an analysis of the response of the criminal justice system (or absence of response) to crime, drawing upon national and international research evidence, and current developments, to provide a foundation for more detailed study in subsequent modules. The module will include an examination of the various criminal justice system models, how they have developed and changed over time and possible future directions, and this can inform our understanding of the criminal justice system in Ireland and beyond. Students will gain a critical insight and understanding of the role and responsibilities of the key institutions and actors within the system, and how they interact with one another in order to ensure the smooth running of the criminal justice system. The key institutions and actors will also be scrutinised from the perspective of accountability and transparency, and the challenges they currently face.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Having completed this module, students will be able to:
Discuss key ideas in relation to models of criminal justice and the study of criminal justice systems;
Demonstrate knowledge of the operation of the principal institutions and actors within the criminal justice system;
Critically analyse the current issues and challenges facing the Irish criminal justice system;
Compare the Irish criminal justice system with those in other jurisdictions, particularly in relation to matters such as the role of key actors and institutions;
Determine the means by which the principal institutions and actors in the criminal justice system can be made accountable.

Indicative Module Content:

Models of Criminal Justice
The Criminal Justice Process
Policing
Prosecuting Authorities
The Judiciary and the Jury System
Prisons
Probation
Youth justice
Anti-social behaviour
Victims and Witnesses
Risk and Criminal Justice
Miscarriages of Justice

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Tutorial

4
Autonomous Student Learning

100
Total

128
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module is delivered face to face with additional online activities to be completed.
Students will be assigned work to prepare most weeks. This may be reading, watching short videos, completing online exercises, meeting academic advisors, or preparing written work. Students are expected to engage with all teaching and learning activities; this will be essential for keeping up with the continuous assessment on the module.
 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Examination: Written Examination 2 hours 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Graded No

100

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Throughout the semester: Should students require feedback on their learning for this module, they are encouraged to self-assess and seek clarification from the relevant member of teaching staff who delivered the topic, by using office hours. See Brightspace for contact details. Group Feedback on Examination: On release of module examination results, group class feedback will be made available. Individual Feedback on Examination: Students will be informed of opportunities to receive individual feedback on their examination, in accordance with UCD Sutherland School of Law requirements for viewing individual feedback on examination. Further information to be communicated via Brightspace when grades are released.

Name Role
Lynn Clarke-Hearty Tutor
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Spring
      
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 11:00 - 12:50
Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 22, 24, 26, 32 Thurs 10:00 - 10:50
Tutorial Offering 2 Week(s) - 23, 25, 31, 33 Thurs 10:00 - 10:50
Tutorial Offering 3 Week(s) - 22, 24, 26, 32 Thurs 11:00 - 11:50
Tutorial Offering 4 Week(s) - 23, 25, 31, 33 Thurs 11:00 - 11:50
Spring