Course Details in

Module Title	LI Punishment in a Global Context
School	School of Social Policy
Department	Soc Policy, Sociology & Crimin
Module Code	08 27250
Module Lead	Anna Kotova
Level	Intermediate Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 2
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Exclusions
Description	This module will address the role of punishment within contrasting societies as a mechanism for crime control, as well exploring alternative explanations for the social function of punishment. The module will be divided into the following constituent parts: First, the module will begin with an overview of the historical evolution of punishment, with a particular focus on the shift from capital punishments and transportation to the ‘birth of the modern prison’ in the UK. Following from the 19th century prison, the module will consider a series of historical policymaking phases, including post-war ‘penal welfarism’ and the recent ‘prison works’ agendas. Second, the module will consider the varied functions that punishment performs, such as deterrence, public protection, and rehabilitation, as well as investigating the liberal philosophies that underpin these ideas. Third, the module will examine within a comparative context contrasting approaches to punishment, such as Aboriginal/Maori community justice, US ‘supermax’ prisons and Swedish ‘open’ prisons. Finally, the module will consider contemporary issues in punishment, including mass imprisonment, growth of the penal-security industrial complex, war crimes tribunals and truth and reconciliation commissions.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: Demonstrate an understanding of the historical origins and development of punishment and prisons in the UK and comparative international contexts; Demonstrate an understanding of the philosophies and aims that underpin punishment; Discuss comparative and supranational policy approaches to punishment and prison; To apply concepts and philosophies of punishment to enhance understanding of contemporary policy issues.
Assessment	27250-01 : Essay : Coursework (100%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	3500 word essay (100%) for both assessment and reassessment
Other
Reading List