LLM Criminal Justice module details
Block 1: Analysing Substantive Criminal Law
This module introduces important issues in criminal law and a range of critiques concerning them. It will allow you to explore how behaviour is criminalised and how the criminal justice system regulates harmful behaviour.
The module examines how policy balances respecting the autonomy of all individuals, including defendants, whilst protecting the welfare of all its citizens. Finally, you will critically evaluate how the mechanism of criminal law is used to achieve policy objectives and examine its efficacy in doing so.
Block 2: Police Investigatory Powers
The module will initially allow students to examine and explore the significance of police discretion in relation to decision-making at a theoretical level and in the context of the exercise of certain police powers. A critical analysis of some of the key statutory powers which help to facilitate criminal investigations will feature prominently in the module. Students will have the opportunity to engage with and to analyse the language of the statutory powers, as well as consider the associated case law. The status, influence and importance of the PACE Codes of Practice will also feature in the module, as will the law relating to ‘reasonable force’ in the exercise of investigatory powers. Given the impact which the use of such powers has upon the rights and freedoms of suspects, students will critically assess the nature, scope and extent of the safeguards which are designed to prevent the abuse of the powers, and will evaluate their effectiveness in this regard.
Block 3: Critical Issues in the Criminal Trial
This module introduces the adversarial trial as an entity for establishing the guilt or innocence of suspects in the criminal trial and achieving justice for the victims of crime. You will critically examine how the rules of procedure and evidence, as well as the actions of legal professionals within the justice system, seek to achieve justice. You will then evaluate the efficacy of the trial process as a means for doing so.
The module includes the theoretical underpinnings of the trial process and the impact of criminal justice policy upon the efficacy of the criminal trial as a means of delivering justice. The question of how a ‘fair trial’ is constructed in law and by the legal system is also analysed.
Block 4: Critical Issues in Sentencing and Punishment
This module introduces the advanced scholarship of penology and explores how this impacts upon modern sentencing practice. You will examine modern sentencing policy and its formulation, critically evaluating its theoretical underpinnings and assessing its efficacy in achieving justice for the victims of crime, defendants and society as a whole.
Block 5: Dissertation in Criminal Justice
This final 60-credit module bridges a Postgraduate Diploma and an LLM. It has two parts: researching a topic and producing work that draws on the research to represent an advanced account of a particular area of law associated with the programme title.
The dissertation is studied independently with the assistance of a supervisor and is a chance for the student to pursue a relevant area of law of particular interest academically. The dissertation requires you to practice a range of skills developed over the course of the programme: researching and critically reviewing national and international literature, applying theoretical frameworks, research design and ethics, data collection and analysis, research writing and dissemination.
You will be orientated towards high-level independent study based on the preparatory work conducted in research methods workshops. These workshops emphasise developing research skills that will equip the student with the expertise to undertake relevant and topical research allied to the dissertation. The core material covers:
- Critiquing academic and practitioner research from a range of published sources.
- Developing tools and techniques for writing a critical literature review.
- Methodological considerations.
- Research design.
- Research ethics.
- Evaluating and communicating research.
You will be allocated a dissertation supervisor. Individual supervisors will work closely with you on a one-to-one basis to set goals, monitor progress and provide general and specific advice on research strategy, framing questions and scholarly writing.
You will be able to develop the theoretical and practical understanding learned throughout the programme as well as independent study and research skills, critical analysis and the ability to evaluate. The nature of a sustained and in-depth study can prove a valuable resource for future employment or further study.