Explore UCD

UCD Home >

LAW40970

Academic Year 2025/2026

Global Perspectives on Desistance & Rehabilitation (LAW40970)

Subject:
Law
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Law
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Deirdre Healy
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

The majority of offenders cease to commit crime in early adulthood. This phenomenon, known as desistance from crime, is well-documented in the criminological literature. Recently, there has been a growing interest in studying the mechanisms and contexts involved in the transition to a crime-free life and, as a result, knowledge about desistance is growing rapidly. The purpose of this module is to explore key themes in the study of desistance, rehabilitation and reintegration. It draws on a variety of theoretical and empirical sources, with a particular emphasis on literature concerning desistance, rehabilitation, risk, recidivism, and criminal careers.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module, students will be able to:

Critically evaluate competing theoretical perspectives on desistance
Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of key methodological and conceptual issues
Demonstrate awareness of current empirical, theoretical and policy debates in the study of desistance, rehabilitation and reintegration
Exhibit a detailed knowledge of offender rehabiliation practices and assess their strengths and limitations

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Autonomous Student Learning

230
Total

254

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Approaches include seminars, active/task-based learning; group work; critical writing; reflective 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
Reflective Assignment: Weekly reflective journal Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11 Graded Yes
20
 Yes
Assignment(Including Essay): Essay Week 10 Graded Yes
50
 Yes
Assignment(Including Essay): Assignment (presentation) Week 12 Graded Yes
30
 Yes

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
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

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

This module is assessed by means of an essay, presentation and reflective journal. Feedback will be provided in the form of written individual feedback through Brightspace within 20 working days of the submission date. Students may request a meeting with the module coordinator to obtain further feedback on their assessments.

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 Thurs 11:00 - 12:50
Print this page
Fill in the following details:
Enter the body of your query here.

From time to time UCD would like to send you further information that we feel, based on your enquiry, would be of interest to you.