This module will enable students to critically consider the array of individuals, agencies and processes integral to the functioning of the criminal justice system. Through their discoveries, students will enhance their understanding and knowledge of the solitary and shared role(s), responsibility(s) and experience(s) of those (in-)directly involved within the criminal justice system. And become cognisant of the cooperative and competitive relationships between those involved within and impacted by criminal justice policymaking and practice: inclusive of, yet not limited to offenders, victims, practitioners and the publics. This module will encourage students to critically evaluate the influence sociodemographic characteristics and lived experiences hold in the operational objectives, procedures and outcomes of the criminal justice system. As well as for students upon the module to reflect on the application of philosophical and theoretical concepts within criminal justice decision-making. This module will allow students to acquire meaningful skills which can be influential in their personal and professional lives as advocates for the preservation of a fair and equal criminal justice system. From having explored and discovered former, current and prospective approaches to delivering justice and reducing harm(s) in practice, as well as developing their capacity to communicate effectively to an audience.

This module offers a critical excursion of theory, legislation, policy and practice in the domain of contemporary youth justice. Children and young people may be considered both victim and offender and students within this module will explore representations of this stage of the life-course. This module provides students with a critical insight into criminal justice and societal responses to children and young people in conflict with the law. Through exploration of public, political and media attention to children and young people alongside modern reformers and activists, students will develop an ability to communicate arguments relevant to youth justice. This module aims to provide students with the key skills to develop an alternative assessment of the ‘youth crime problem’. Students will learn about personal and professional opportunities and develop an ability to respond to feedback about practical and academic work relevant to contemporary youth justice.

Explore how media shapes public perceptions, in particular in reference to deviance in this dynamic sociology and criminology module. "Media and the Representation of Deviance" delves into the influence of both traditional and contemporary media platforms on societal views, looking in particular at deviance, from crime to inequality, mental health and politics. Students will examine key academic literature and theories, learning to critically analyse concepts such as agenda-setting, news values, and media framing, as well as influential models like Chomsky and Herman's propaganda model and moral panic theory. The module covers the evolution of media, from its historical roots to the complex world of social media, examining the power dynamics in media ownership, the regulatory landscape, and the framing of social issues. Through case studies, students will apply theoretical insights to real-world examples, understanding how media representations impact public opinion and influence policy on topics like mental health, poverty, welfare, and crime. By the module's end, students will be equipped to construct well-supported arguments on the role of media in shaping social inequalities, understand its power in influencing societal outcomes, and critically reflect on emerging trends in media representation. This module is essential for anyone interested in understanding the media’s role in constructing narratives around deviance and its broad impact on society.

This module combines the essential aspects of policing, criminal law, decision making and police powers and procedures. It is designed to introduce you to the principles and application of legislation in relation to crime and the criminal justice system. You will be taught relevant legislation to the activities of a police officer and how to break down the legislation into points to prove. Practical scenarios and discussions will allow you to understand how to apply the law at police incidents, as well as considering the different agencies that make up the criminal justice system and how these reflect our understanding of 'crime' and the purpose of punishment.

In addition, you will begin to understand the various functions of the criminal justice system including the courts and supporting vulnerable victims and witnesses. Academic skills of notetaking and revision skills will be developed to assist in identifying the relevant aspects of lectures for the online exam. Revision sessions and knowledge checks will be utilised to cement knowledge and introduce techniques to assist in retaining information. Students will then develop the skill of applying the law at policing incidents together with the National Decision Model, utilising a structured approach to decision making in policing. Videos of incidents and scenarios will be used to allow students to apply decision making and provide rationales during group discussions. Key documentation such as the Core Investigative Doctrine will be used to develop ethically recorded rationales and how discretion, accountability, ethical behaviour, risk and bias can potentially impact on professional and objective decision making.

You will be taught essential skills such as communication skills and the importance of the types of questions to elicit information from a victim or witness. The purpose and structure of a statement will be discussed together with decision making and the recording of information at policing incidents. A series of practical role plays will provide you with the opportunity to witness an incident and then write your own statement before taking statements from victims and witnesses using authentic documentation. You will then combine these skills in immersive exercises using our Visual-reality (VR) cave and in a series of role play scenarios. This will be the opportunity to make and develop decision making skills and your rationales for those decisions. Students will be taught reflective practices and theories such as Gibbs reflective cycle, together with research skills to find relevant academic sources. Essay writing skills will be developed during the module and these skills will be used to reflect on decisions and actions during the role plays to produce a reflective piece of work as the second assessment of the module. The practical workings of a court will be witnessed through visiting and observing their Chester Magistrates Court and Chester Crown Court.