Restorative justice has emerged in recent years as a new way of thinking about how we should view and respond to crime. Restorative approaches are making significant inroads into criminal justice policy and practice and this module provides students with an opportunity to engage in an increasingly dynamic and interesting field in contemporary criminal justice. The main aim of this module is to provide students with a critical understanding of restorative justice. It explores key values, issues and debates in restorative justice set in the context of theoretical arguments and criminal justice policy and practice.
The module will open with the concepts and theoretical underpinnings of restorative justice and go on to explore restorative justice and offenders, restorative justice and victims, emotions in restorative justice, the role of the community and the role of the state. It will close with critical issues and debates in restorative justice and future directions.
Total Contact Hours: 22
Private Study Hours: 128
Total study hours : 150
BA Hons Criminal Justice & Criminology and BSc Social Sciences
Main assessment methods
Coursework - Essay (2,500 words) - 50%
Examination (2 Hours) - 50%
Reassessment methods
100% coursework
McLaughlin,E. Fergusson,R. Hughes,G. and Westmorland,L (2003) Restorative Justice: Critical Issues, Sage
Gavrielides, T. (2015) The Psychology of Restorative Justice: Managing the Power Within. Surrey, Ashgate.
Vanfraechem, I., Bolivar, D., and Aertsen, I. (2015) Victims and Restorative Justice. London: Routledge
Johnstone, G. (2002) Restorative Justice: Ideas, Values, Debates, Willan publishing
Crawford, A. and Newburn, T. (2003) Youth Offending and Restorative Justice: Implementing reform in youth justice, Willan publishing
Weitekamp, E. and Kerner, H. (2002) Restorative Justice: Theoretical Foundations, Willan publishing
Roche, D. (2003) Accountability in Restorative Justice, Oxford University Press
Elliott, E., and Gordon, R. (2005) New Directions in Restorative Justice: Issues, practice, evaluation, Willan publishing
Zehr, H. and Toews, B. (2004) Critical Issues in Restorative Justice, Criminal Justice Press Monsey, New York
See the library reading list for this module (Medway)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
8.1 Critically assess restorative justice as an approach to crime from a national and international perspective.
8.2 Demonstrate in-depth knowledge and understanding relating to the evaluation of theoretically and empirically based arguments about restorative justice.
8.3 Develop a critical understanding of the links between restorative justice and traditional justice systems
8.4 Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the social and cultural dimensions of criminal justice.
8.5 Demonstrate an ability to identify and make reasoned arguments based on research evidence and academic texts from a national and international perspective.
The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
9.1 Effectively synthesize key conceptual arguments coherently in a written form
9.2 Demonstrate ability to critically synthesise knowledge from different schools and disciplines of enquiry
9.3 Demonstrate enhanced research and organisational skills by using library e-journal and other on line resources
University of Kent makes every effort to ensure that module information is accurate for the relevant academic session and to provide educational services as described. However, courses, services and other matters may be subject to change. Please read our full disclaimer.
