Youth Justice

• Credit value: 30 credits at Level 7
  
• Convenor: Dr Amy Kirby
• Assessment: a 5-7-minute oral or pre-recorded presentation or 1000-word blog (20%) and 3000-word essay (80%)

In this module we provide you with a critical overview of the broad themes and key debates within contemporary youth justice in policy and practice. We will explore issues of youth justice through historical, socio-legal and theoretical perspectives as well as through a set of contemporary debates.

Indicative syllabus

Introduction

• ‘Angels vs demons’: conceptualising childhood, youth and crime
• Assessing the international landscape of youth justice

Youth justice paradigms/philosophical approaches

• Welfare and justice
• Risk and diversion
• Restorative justice and positive youth justice

Contemporary issues/case studies

• Intersectionality and youth justice
• Youth justice and the courts
• Young people and the use of custody
• Joint enterprise: Implications for youth justice

Consolidation and assessment preparation

• Final thoughts and essay-writing clinic

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• identify and critically evaluate relevant theoretical approaches and paradigms of youth justice at a local and international level
• interpret and explain the historical context, statutory framework and workings of the youth justice system in England and Wales
• critically evaluate the youth justice policy environment and reflect upon the factors that influence this
• critically examine how the intersection between race, gender and socio-economic status can impact upon the treatment of young people in the youth justice system
• critically analyse contemporary debates within youth justice and apply relevant theoretical approaches to such debates
• present your critical analysis and reflections to your peers in order to engage in collaborative discussion.