6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL
Undergraduate - Unit
Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.
Faculty
Organisational Unit
South Africa School of Social Science
Coordinator(s)
Unit guides
Synopsis
This unit focuses on formal and informal responses to crime and punishment. It examines issues relating to sentencing, punishment and corrections, including community based sanctions such as restorative justice. Theories and perspectives of punishment, justice and crime reduction are appraised providing a critical understanding and specialised knowledge of the evolution, elements, aims and applications of punishment within an African and international human rights framework.
Outcomes
The learning outcomes of the unit are to equip students with the following skills:
- Develop a critical awareness of the structure and functioning of criminal justice in South Africa and internationally;
- Understand contemporary debates relevant to crime, punishment and criminal justice;
- Analyse diverse arguments in relation to traditional and alternative forms of policing, sentencing and corrections;
- Apply punishment theories and perspectives on different contexts;
- Conduct independent research using appropriate science and technology effectively and responsibly when dealing with crime and punishment without harming society, the environment or individuals;
- Work and communicate with others as part of a multidisciplinary team to deal effectively with crime and punishment.
Assessment
Within semester assessment: 65% + Exam: 35%
Workload requirements
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. A unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.
See also Unit timetable information
Chief examiner(s)
This unit applies to the following area(s) of study
Prerequisites
Twelve credit points of first-year Arts units.
Prohibitions
ATS2461, ATS3461, AZA3461