The purpose of this module is to conduct a socio-legal enquiry into the phenomenon of hate crime. It will explore the concept of hate, and concepts of hate crime internationally, highlighting the differences between hate crime, hate incidents and hate speech. It will interrogate the prevalence of hate crime in an Irish context, critically exploring the difference in official and unofficial reporting rates. It will look at the forms hate crime can take, and the impact of hate crime on its victims. Following this victim-centric approach, the module will then go on to examine the concept of hate through the lens of the criminal law, evaluating legislative models for addressing hate, and asking whether we need to criminalise the hate element of a crime. It will also examine the policing of hate, particularly in the context of changes introduced following the publication of the Macpherson Report in the United Kingdom. It will finally query the manner in which we address hate behaviour post-conviction.

Concepts of hate and hate crime; differentiating between hate crime and hate speech; prevalence and manifestations of hate crime; impacts of hate crime; models of hate crime legislation; policing hate crime; hate crime and restorative justice.

Critically interrogate the definitions of hate and hate crime Critically evaluate the prevalence of hate crime in Ireland Understand the impact of hate crime Describe models of hate crime legislation internationally Critically evaluate the need for hate crime legislation Understand the impact of the Macpherson Report on policing in the UK Critically examine the policing of hate crime in Ireland Evaluate the utility of restorative justice to hate motivated offenders

Show self-reliance and the ability to manage time and work to deadlines. Show confidence in the presentation of arguments and ideas (in both seminar sessions and assessed work) as they pertain to the hate crime.

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This module will be taught through a series of seminars, during which students will actively explore and discuss the concepts and theories in question. Over the course of the module, students will place their understandings of hate crime within the broader context of their knowledge of the criminal justice system as a whole. Guest lectures will be delivered by international academics, and national policy makers and activists where appropriate. The module will be research-led, based on extensive doctrinal and empirical research carried out by the module leader.