Module Code - Title:
LA5092
-
YOUTH CRIME (ONLINE)
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
This cross-disciplinary offering will blend legal\policy\social science perspectives on youth crime and offer the distinctive element of dealing with real world issues. Students will be equipped with the knowledge to critically examine youth crime in an Irish context from a legal, policy and sociological perspective with human rights as a core focus. The module will build on prior learning for law and sociology students and be applied in a specific youth crime context. Students will be encouraged to bring the experiences of their differing disciplines to bear on the module. Students from the various intakes will be encouraged to expose theoretical positions to practical realities. It is envisaged that the module will initially serve as an elective within the LLM/MA Criminal Justice and Human Rights programme, the LLM General and the MA Sociology (Youth, Community & Social Regeneration).
Syllabus:
The aim of this module is to engage in a critical analysis of contemporary challenges facing those attempting to tackle youth crime. Students will evaluate various criminological and theoretical perspectives shaping the Irish youth justice system and explore topics such as the development and operation of the Irish youth justice system; restorative justice; diversion from prosecution; community penalties; youth detention in Ireland and the social construction of crime.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to understand the complexity of youth crime in Ireland and:
- Describe the operation of the Irish youth justice system at a practical level.
- Understand the language and theoretical underpinnings of youth crime and justice in Ireland.
- Analyse the legislative and policy levers that influence youth crime and justice in Ireland.
- Understand the historical events that shaped and defined youth crime and justice in Ireland.
- Critically evaluate the distinctive features of the Irish youth justice system.
- Critically evaluate real world youth crime problems and ways of developing solutions.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
- Appreciate the multi-faceted causes of crime and how the Irish criminal justice system might respond more effectively to them.
- Appreciate the rights of children and victims in the Irish youth justice system and how these rights are applied.
- Appreciate the impact of exposure to the system on children in Ireland and how this shapes their futures.
- Understand the complex interplay between societal factors and criminal behaviour in Ireland.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
N/A
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
- Lectures will be followed by practical workshop sessions with thematic discussions, debate and group interaction;
- More in depth descriptive inputs will be delivered by practitioners and experts in their field delivering guest lecture;
- There will be an emphasis on critical engagement and problem solving in later sessions.
- The module may be delivered through traditional lectures and workshops or online.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Barry Goldson, John Muncie and Contributors (2015)
Youth Crime & Justice
, Sage, London
Mairead Seymour (2012)
Youth Justice in Context: Community, Compliance and Young People
, Routledge, London
David P. Farrington, Brandon C. Welsh (2008)
Saving Children from a Life of Crime: Early Risk Factors and Effective intervention
, Oxford University Press
Kevin Haines, Stephen Case (2015)
Positive Youth Justice: Children First, Offenders Second
, Policy Press, Bristol
Ursula Kilkelly (2006)
Youth justice in Ireland: Tough lives, rough justice
, Irish Academic Press
Malcolm Sparrow (2008)
The Character of Harms, Operational Challenges in Control
, Cambridge University Press
Other Relevant Texts:
Josine Junger-Tas, Scott H. Decker (2006)
International Handbook of Juvenile Justice
, Springer
Tim Bateman (2017)
State of Youth Justice 2017
, National Association of Youth Justice
Nicola Carr, Siobhan McAllister (2014)
Youth Justice in Ireland North and South: Legacies of the Past, Influences on the Present
, Sage
Ursula Kilkelly (2008)
Youth Justice and Children's Rights: Measuring Compliance with International Standards
, Sage
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
MAHRCJTFA - HUMAN RIGHTS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE
MAHRCJTPA - HUMAN RIGHTS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE
MASYCSTFA - SOCIOLOGY (YOUTH, COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL REGENERATIO
MASYCSTPA - SOCIOLOGY (YOUTH, COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL REGENERATION)
MLLAGETFA - (GENERAL)
MLLAGETPA - (GENERAL) P/T
MLHRCJTFA - HUMAN RIGHTS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE
MLHRCJTPA - HUMAN RIGHTS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Spring
Module Leader:
eoin.omearadaly@ul.ie