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LAW-40080 - Module Specification
School of Law
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

For academic year: 2023/24 Last Updated: 13 February 2024

LAW-40080 - Mental Health: Criminal Law and Justice
Coordinator: Sotirios Santatzoglou Tel: +44 1782 7 34216
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 7
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office: 01782 733218

Programme/Approved Electives for 2023/24

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2023/24

Mental health is a significant area of contemporary interest in the context of criminal law and justice. In particular, since the turn of the century, and following robust research evidence, the need to address the offenders' mental health issues has become a recognised theme in both law and policy. This module will deliver a critical in depth appreciation of this significant area for criminal justice professionals and also to those with a wider interest in the mental health provisions and interventions of criminal law and justice.

Aims
The module aims to address in depth the policy debates and research findings concerning the topic of mental health as a key issue within the context of criminal and youth justice process including the sentencing stage, primarily; and within the context of criminal law secondarily.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Explain and critique the various debates related to mental health in the context of criminal law and criminal justice: 1
Critically evaluate the effectiveness of the sentencing and mental health interventions in the context of criminal and youth justice: 1
Examine complexities in the boundaries between mental health and mental wellbeing in relation to prisoners' needs: 1
Critically analyse the function of mental health issues as a legal defence and their function as a mitigating factor in sentencing: 1
Demonstrate advanced oral presentation skills in reflecting on a mental health issue in the context of criminal law and criminal justice: 2

Study hours

12 sessions x 1.5 hours + 2 sessions x 1 hour = 20 hours
Preparation and study of the 12 sessions' topics 120 hours.
Essay preparation and writing 160 hours.

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Essay weighted 85%
Essay
Answering an essay question out of a choice of five essay questions. Word limit, 4,000 words.

2: Oral Presentation weighted 15%
Recorded oral powerpoint presentation
Submitting a 5-minute recorded oral powerpoint supported presentation. The presentation will provide a theoretical and legal reflection upon an issue selected by the student which is relevant to the module.

Please note that for the 2022/23 Academic Year programmes may be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there may be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 13 February 2024