Overview

Have you ever wondered about the morality of punishing criminals? What principles should we use to determine what kinds of punishments are just? In this course, we will delve into the complex ethical issues surrounding crime and punishment. We'll start by exploring different normative ethical theories, including deontology, consequentialism, and virtue ethics, and consider how they might apply to issues in criminal justice. We'll also examine the relationship between law and morality, and debate whether we have a moral obligation to obey the law. From there, we'll dive into some of the most controversial issues in criminal justice. Should capital punishment be legal? Is incarceration an effective form of punishment? What about corporal punishment, torture, or the use of violence in protests or acts of terrorism? Throughout the course, we'll also consider how social factors such as race, class, and gender affect the ethics of crime and punishment. We'll examine cases of wrongful conviction and consider how the criminal justice system can perpetuate systemic injustice. By the end of this course, you'll have a nuanced understanding of the ethical considerations that underlie our criminal justice system. You'll be equipped to critically analyse and engage with some of the most pressing issues facing society today.

Weeks 1-6: Theoretical Foundations

Week 1: Introduction to Morality and Deviance • Definition and exploration of fundamental moral concepts. • Examination of deviance and its relevance within ethical frameworks.

Week 2-5: Ethical Theories in Justice • Overview of relativism, consequentialism, deontology, and virtue ethics. • In-depth analysis of how ethical theories shape perspectives on justice.

Week 6: The Interplay between Ethics and Legal Systems • Exploration of the influence of ethics on the development and functioning of legal systems. • Case studies illustrating the ethical considerations embedded in legal frameworks.

Weeks 7-11: Applied Ethical Content

Week 6: Ethics of Torture • Examination of the moral implications of torture. • Case studies and real-world examples to analyse the ethical dimensions. • Ethical reasoning exercises related to torture.

Week 7: Capital Punishment • Analysis of the ethical considerations surrounding capital punishment. • Historical perspectives and contemporary debates. • Ethical evaluation of alternative sentencing models.

Week 8: Corporal Punishment • The ethics of corporal punishment • Physical discipline in schools • The use of corporal punishment in the criminal justice system

Week 9: Ethics of Incarceration • Exploration of the moral complexities associated with incarceration. • Examination of rehabilitation, retribution, and ethical treatment of prisoners. • Case studies on the impact of ethical considerations on prison policies.

Week 10: Terrorism and Ethics • Discussion on the ethical challenges posed by terrorism. • Examination of counter-terrorism measures and their moral implications. • Ethical considerations in balancing security and individual liberties.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -D- - D +. Submitted work is adequate and shows an acceptable level of competence as follows: •Generally accurate but with omissions and errors. •Assertions are made without clear supporting evidence or reasoning. •Has structure but is lacking in clarity and therefore relies on the reader to make links and assumptions. •Draws on a relatively narrow range of material.

-good -Very Good B- - B+. Submitted work is competent throughout and distinguished by superior style, approach and choice of supporting materials. It demonstrates: •Very good structure and logically developed arguments. • Draws on material that has been sourced and assessed as a result of independent study, or in a way unique to the student. • Assertions are backed by evidence and sound reasoning. • Accuracy and presentation in an appropriate academic style.

-excellent -A - - A*. Submitted work is of an outstanding quality and excellent in one or more of the following ways: •Has originality of exposition with the student’s own thinking being readily apparent. •Provides clear evidence of extensive and relevant independent study.  •Arguments are laid down with clarity and provide the reader with successive stages of consideration to reach conclusions.

-another level-Good C- - C +. •Submitted work is competent throughout and occasionally distinguished by superior style, approach and choice of supporting materials. It demonstrates:Good structure and logically developed arguments. • At least in parts draws on material that has been sourced and assessed as a result of independent study, or in a way unique to the student. • Assertions are, in the main, backed by evidence and sound reasoning. • Accuracy and presentation in an appropriate academic style.

Learning Outcomes

• To construct a sustained argument applicable to the content of this course.

• To be able to apply the ethical theories studied to a range of contemporary moral issues e.g. abortion and euthanasia.

• To be able to evaluate a range of moral theories.