Entry requirements
Students who want to take this course need to be admitted to the master’s programme in Criminal Justice.
Brief course description
Sentencing and corrections are two interrelated subject areas. “Sentencing” is the process by which criminal sanctions are imposed in individual cases following a criminal conviction. The term “corrections” deals with the implementation and evaluation of criminal sentences after they are handed down. This course will examine sentencing and corrections from international and historical perspectives, from the viewpoint of legal sentencing structures and substantive laws on sentencing, from theoretical and policy perspectives, and with close attention to many problem-specific areas. Moreover, recent developments in sentencing law and practice will be discussed, thereby offering you a state-of-the-art insight into converging and diverging trends in sentencing and corrections within an international context.
Topics that you will be invited to explore include: the legitimacy of sentencing, sentencing theories and their application, risk-based sentencing, the relationship between sanctions and crime, the nature, scope and function of corrections, the effectiveness of corrections, the consequences of prisoner re-entry . These topics will be considered as they play out in current political and policy debates.
Basic elements of the criminology curriculum will be integrated in the current course. Methodology and statistics of criminological research will be used in different group assignments. We will closely focus on the organization of the correctional system and judicial policy in which there is room for integration of the different elements of justice, policy and organization.
Learning objectives
Upon completing this course, students will be able to:
Reflect upon and compare the history and organization of, and key actors in the correctional system and judicial policy of the Netherlands and selected other countries;
Evaluate the legitimacy of sentencing and sentencing factors by applying moral justifications theories of sentencing and rule of law perspectives, and discuss the role of the public opinion on sentencing in relation to the legitimacy of sentencing. Evaluate and compare the state of the art in scientific theories and results of empirical studies discussed during this course concerning (a) sentencing, (b) execution of corrections, and © effectiveness of sentencing and corrections;
Assess and analyze the state of the art in methodology and cross-national comparative data on (a) sentencing research, (b) execution of correction research, and © effectiveness of corrections and sentencing using descriptive techniques of analysis and, upon request, multivariate techniques.
Apply the above mentioned knowledge in different contexts when developing and implementing criminal justice policies.
Timetable
Kies voor bachelor en master.
Format
The current course will differ from traditional courses both in organization and content. You are required to attend weekly meetings lasting a full day, which will consist of different elements. The first element is a more traditional lecture. You are expected to prepare for these lectures by reading the literature assigned. At the end of this lecture a group assignment will be handed out. You then have the rest of the day to work on this assignment. The assignment can vary in nature and content during the course. In the afternoon we will come together for another meeting. Group assignments will be presented, and discussions will be held. You will be judged on your active participation during these meetings.
All participants are required to attend and actively participate during the meetings.
Examination
Assessment Methods
An individual portfolio consisting of weekly assignments and reflections on the lecture, assigned literature and assignments.
Final written examination with open questions
Course grades are determined by
Portfolio (30%)
Written examination with open questions (70%)
Because this course contains a practical exercise, weekly meetings must be attended in order to pass.
All components should be at least 5,5 in order to complete the course successfully. All grades only hold for the present academic year.
There will be a retake for the written examination mentioned above and for the portfolio.
Depending on the number of participants, the course coordinator can decide that the retake for the written examination will be an oral examination. In that case, you will be notified of this in time.
Procedure for handing in the assignments
- All assignments must be submitted via SafeAssign (Blackboard).
Blackboard
The use of Blackboard is required.
Reading list
Mandatory literature
- Assigned literature and the course guideline, both of which will be published on Blackboard.
Admission
Students can enroll for this course via uSis
Contact
Coordinator: mw. dr. mr. S.G.C. van Wingerden
Availability: Monday till Thursday, through the secretariat
Telephone: 071 – 527 74 62
E-mail: criminologie@law.leidenuniv.nl
Institute/department
Institute: Criminal Law and Criminology
Department: Criminology
Opening hours: 09.00 to 12.30
Telephone secretariat: 071 – 527 74 62
E-mail: criminologie@law.leidenuniv.nl