SC382-6-AU-CO:
Crime, Policy and Social Justice
PLEASE NOTE: This module is inactive. Visit the Module Directory to view modules and variants offered during the current academic year.
2025/26
Sociology and Criminology
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 6
Inactive
Thursday 02 October 2025
Friday 12 December 2025
15
13 January 2025
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
BA P550 Journalism and Criminology,
BA P551 Journalism and Criminology (Including Placement Year),
BA P552 Journalism and Criminology (Including Year Abroad)
This module is aimed at exploring the possibilities and obstacles to achieving social justice within the UK criminal justice system. The module explores multiple dimensions of the justice system that have consequences for social justice through a focus on theoretical perspectives and their application to key areas of criminal justice practice and policy.
From the effects of COVID-19 on the courts to the role of activism in the contemporary justice system, the course aims to provide a contemporary lens through which students can grapple with the social effects of UK criminal justice policies. Each week explores a different social justice-related theory or theme, and draw upon a case study or example to demonstrate the significance of that theme.
The aims of this module are:
- To expose students to key issues that emerge in the contemporary criminal justice system that pose challenges to the achievement of justice, as well as the work of individuals and organizations who have resisted and challenged pre-existing frameworks related to justice.
- To expose students to the breadth of professional engagement in UK criminal justice systems, in order to think through the ways that they can envision a career in criminal justice.
By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:
- Apply key theories to criminal justice policy issues in the contemporary UK justice system.
- Reflect on ethical dilemmas and issues in the contemporary justice system.
- Engage in a theoretically-informed analysis of the social justice effects of UK criminal justice policies.
Please view the Introduction video to SC382 Crime, Policy and Social Justice via Moodle.
This module will be delivered via:
- One 2-hour seminar each week.
Face-to-face attendance is expected.
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's
reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Exam |
Main exam: In-Person, Open Book, 120 minutes during Spring Special
|
| Exam |
Main exam: In-Person, Open Book, 120 minutes during Summer (Main Period)
|
| Exam |
Reassessment Main exam: In-Person, Open Book, 120 minutes during September (Reassessment Period)
|
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Timothy Head
Jane Harper, Undergraduate Administrator email: socugrad@essex.ac.uk, telephone: 01206 873052
Yes
Yes
Yes
Dr Emily Gray
University of Warwick
Assistant Professor of Criminology
Available via Moodle
Of 16 hours, 16 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.
* Please note: due to differing publication schedules, items marked with an asterisk (*) base their information upon the previous academic year.
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