Studying at York
Crime & Punishment - LAW00045H
Module summary
This module addresses the question of 'why punish?' and how punishment can be justified. It also asks who can rightfully be punished and so engages with issues of responsibility.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Spring Term 2022-23 |
Module aims
The module will explore the normative foundations of our criminal law and some issues that arise within it. Topics to be discussed include criminalization (what ought to be criminalized and why?); the justification of punishment; responsibility, excuse and justification in the criminal law (are psychopaths responsible for their acts?, should there be a defence of battered woman syndrome?, what counts as self-defence?, should poor social background or different culture be a defence?, and so on). In looking at these topics we will be discussing the ways in which citizens relate to one another and to the state.
Module learning outcomes
To develop in students a critical appreciation of the nature of law; to develop students' analytical skills; to develop students' ability to relate abstract issues in contemporary political philosophy to concrete problems in the criminal law; to develop students' ability to evaluate propositions and develop arguments on normative issues within criminal law
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
Additional assessment information
Students registering an outright fail will be required to undertake reassessment in the failed component(s). Due to the inability to reassess actual seminar performance, students failing this component will be required to submit a 750 word reflection on the value of seminar discussion.
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Module feedback
Formative feedback is provided to students:
(i) via feedback during learning activities (e.g. on specific skills performances); (ii) by a short interim report on classroom contribution from the student's tutor; and (iii) on a formatively assessed procedural essay draft.
Indicative reading
- Lucia Zedner (2004), Criminal Justice (Oxford University Press).
- Katz, Moore and Morse (eds.) (1999), Foundations of Criminal Law (Foundation Press).