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LAW40620

Academic Year 2024/2025

Punishment, Prisons & Public Policy (LAW40620)

Subject:
Law
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Law
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Professor Ian O'Donnell
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

The response to crime since the mid-1990s has been characterised in many developed countries by an emphasis on penal expansionism. This module explores some of the dilemmas that confront prison systems everywhere (e.g. violence, self-harm, segregation, and recidivism). The extent to which these problems have characteristics that reflect peculiarly local conditions is a recurrent theme. What, if anything, is distinctive about the 'society of captives' in Ireland?

(Please note that in spring 2023 this module will be run over six weeks rather than twelve, with two seminars taking place each week.)

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Students will be familiar with key debates in the penal policy arena.

Students will be able to analyse international developments in an Irish context.

Students will be able to interpret contemporary challenges of imprisonment and identify pathways to reform.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24

Autonomous Student Learning

200

Total

224


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Assignment: presentation and 1500 word assignment Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10 Graded No
40
No
Assignment(Including Essay): Essay: Essay - 3500 words Week 12 Graded No
60
No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 12 Mon 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 7, 9, 10, 11 Mon 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: Weeks 1-6 Mon 14:00 - 15:50