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Postgraduate Programme Specification

PgCert Youth Justice

Academic Year 2022/23

A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University's Quality Assurance processes. All degrees are awarded by Queen's University Belfast.

Programme Title PgCert Youth Justice Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)
Postgraduate Certificate
Programme Code SOC-PC-YJ UCAS Code HECoS Code 100484 - Criminology - 100

ATAS Clearance Required

No

Health Check Required

No

Portfolio Required

--

Interview Required

--

Mode of Study Part Time
Type of Programme Postgraduate Length of Programme Part Time - 1 Academic Year
Total Credits for Programme 60
Exit Awards available No

Institute Information

Teaching Institution

Queen's University Belfast

School/Department

Social Sciences, Education and Social Work

Quality Code
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code

Higher Education Credit Framework for England
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/higher-education-credit-framework-for-england

Level 7

Subject Benchmark Statements
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/quality-code/qualifications-frameworks.pdf

Criminology (2014)

Accreditations (PSRB)

No accreditations (PSRB) found.

Regulation Information

Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations
(Please see General Regulations)

No

Programme Specific Regulations

N/A

Students with protected characteristics

N/A

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

No

Educational Aims Of Programme

The PG Cert Youth Justice aims to explore the interface between social justice, criminal justice and children’s rights - The course has been designed with a view towards encouraging students to consider the interface between social justice, criminal justice and children’s rights. The connections between criminal justice policies and practices and social policies and practices will be critically explored.

Interdisciplinary teaching and learning - The course has been constructed to ensure students receive a grounding in the field of youth justice, but are also given some scope to choose from the range of optional modules across the various schools. All students will undertake two core introductory modules, which will be taught collaboratively by colleagues from across the four schools. This will enable students to understand the place of their named qualification within the broader field and enable them to consider a range of other perspectives.
Blended learning – In order to make the course accessible to those across the island of Ireland (and beyond), a blended learning approach has been adopted. This will include a mixture of face-to-face and online learning as well as short condensed modules (e.g. running over a weekend). We anticipate the blend may evolve over time in response to student evaluations and the choices they make between modules delivered in different ways.
Building Capacity - The PG Cert in Youth Justice will equip graduates with a range of knowledge and skills of direct relevance to work in areas including youth justice, youth and community work, criminal justice, public policy and research. For participants already employed in these areas, the programme will build on existing skills and knowledge and enhance capacity.
In particular, the programme aims to:
Critically examine the construction and representation of ‘youth’ and youth offending (in legal, media, political and popular discourses);
Raise student awareness of contemporary youth issues and the complexity of the lives of children and young people in conflict with the law;
Highlight the links between criminal justice and social justice;
Provide students with an advanced understanding of theories relating to the study of youth and youth offending;
Encourage students to critically analyse policy responses to contemporary youth issues;
Provide students with an understanding of the social and historical development of responses to youth offending;
Enable students to critically appraise criminal justice responses to children and young people in conflict with the law;
Enable students to access and apply relevant international standards to child and youth policy and practice;
Inform students of the ethical and practical issues in carrying out research with children and young people.

Interdisciplinary teaching and learning - The course has been constructed to ensure students receive a grounding in the field of youth justice, but are also given some scope to choose from the range of optional modules across the various schools. All students will undertake two core introductory modules, which will be taught collaboratively by colleagues from across the four schools. This will enable students on all Improving Children’s Lives routes to understand the place of their named qualification within the broader field and enable them to consider a range of other perspectives.

Blended learning – In order to make the course accessible to those across the island of Ireland (and beyond), a blended learning approach has been adopted. This will include a mixture of face-to-face and online learning as well as short condensed modules (e.g. running over a weekend). We anticipate the blend may evolve over time in response to student evaluations and the choices they make between modules delivered in different ways.

Building Capacity - The PG Cert in Youth Justice will equip graduates with a range of knowledge and skills of direct relevance to work in areas including youth justice, youth and community work, criminal justice, public policy and research. For participants already employed in these areas, the programme will build on existing skills and knowledge and enhance capacity.

In particular, the programme aims to:

Critically examine the construction and representation of ‘youth’ and youth offending (in legal, media, political and popular discourses);

Raise student awareness of contemporary youth issues and the complexity of the lives of children and young people in conflict with the law;

Highlight the links between criminal justice and social justice;

Provide students with an advanced understanding of theories relating to the study of youth and youth offending;

Encourage students to critically analyse policy responses to contemporary youth issues;

Provide students with an understanding of the social and historical development of responses to youth offending;

Enable students to critically appraise criminal justice responses to children and young people in conflict with the law;

Enable students to access and apply relevant international standards to youth justice policy and practice;

Inform students of the ethical and practical issues in carrying out research with children and young people.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Reflect on the relationship between representations and theorisations of youth/youth crime, and responses to young people.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The interdisciplinary aspect of course delivery encourages students to consider a range of perspectives in order to critically engage with the subject.

Methods of Assessment

Module assignments enable students to engage in detail with specific examples of literature and disciplines, and to discuss their own specialism in greater depth.

Consider how theory and research can inform policy and practice.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The interdisciplinary aspect of course delivery encourages students to consider a range of perspectives in order to critically engage with the subject.

Methods of Assessment

Module assignments enable students to engage in detail with specific examples of literature and disciplines, and to discuss their own specialism in greater depth.

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Communicate effectively with peers and engage in informed dialogue and debate.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The modules ensure students build their confidence in relation to analysing and applying research in practice.

Methods of Assessment

The multi-modal format of course delivery and assessment enables students to develop a range of skills.

Evaluate arguments and evidence in order to make informed judgments.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The modules ensure students build their confidence in relation to analysing and applying research in practice.

Methods of Assessment

The multi-modal format of course delivery and assessment enables students to develop a range of skills.

Use a range of resources electronic/ computer-based resources including: databases, blogs, discussion forums etc.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The modules ensure students build their confidence in relation to analysing and applying research in practice.

Methods of Assessment

The multi-modal format of course delivery and assessment enables students to develop a range of skills.

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of contemporary theories and debates in the study of ‘youth’.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students experience a variety of pedagogic approaches including seminars, workshops, lectures, intensive whole day workshops and online discussion and support. The programme also includes opportunities for students to work across disciplines for some modules and thus explore a range of perspectives.

Methods of Assessment

Assignments cover a range of tasks including:
Subject specific essays/ assignments
Writing blog pieces
Reviewing academic articles/ texts

Appraise differential criminal justice responses to children in conflict with the law.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students experience a variety of pedagogic approaches including seminars, workshops, lectures, intensive whole day workshops and online discussion and support. The programme also includes opportunities for students to work across disciplines for some modules and thus explore a range of perspectives.

Methods of Assessment

Assignments cover a range of tasks including:
Subject specific essays/ assignments
Writing blog pieces
Reviewing academic articles/ texts

Analyse youth justice policy and practice.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students experience a variety of pedagogic approaches including seminars, workshops, lectures, intensive whole day workshops and online discussion and support. The programme also includes opportunities for students to work across disciplines for some modules and thus explore a range of perspectives.

Methods of Assessment

Assignments cover a range of tasks including:
Subject specific essays/ assignments
Writing blog pieces
Reviewing academic articles/ texts

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of explanations of youth crime and criminalisation.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students experience a variety of pedagogic approaches including seminars, workshops, lectures, intensive whole day workshops and online discussion and support. The programme also includes opportunities for students to work across disciplines for some modules and thus explore a range of perspectives.

Methods of Assessment

Assignments cover a range of tasks including:
Subject specific essays/ assignments
Writing blog pieces
Reviewing academic articles/ texts

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Demonstrate an understanding of youth justice theory and practice and an awareness of current issues in the field.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students' subject-specific skills are developed through a variety of methods including lectures, workshops, group-work and online discussions.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment is made using coursework, in particular through the preparation of written work.

Raise critical questions about criminal justice responses to children and young people.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Students' subject-specific skills are developed through a variety of methods including lectures, workshops, group-work and online discussions.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment is made using coursework, in particular through the preparation of written work.

Module Information

Stages and Modules

Module Title Module Code Level/ stage Credits

Availability

Duration Pre-requisite

Assessment

S1 S2 Core Option Coursework % Practical % Examination %
Youth Justice and Desistance SOC9070 7 20 -- YES 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
Perspectives on Childhood and Youth SOC9047 7 10 YES -- 6 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Foundations of Children's Rights EDU7219 7 20 YES -- 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
Childhood and Youth Research in Practice EDU7217 7 10 YES -- 6 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Youth and Social Justice SOC9044 7 20 YES -- 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
Youth Justice: Theory, Law and Practice SOC9045 7 20 -- YES 12 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%

Notes

No notes found.