About This Course
Cynhelir y cwrs hwn mewn partneriaeth 芒 Gr诺p Llandrillo Menai ac Addysg Oedolion Gwynedd a M么n, fel rhan o鈥檜 fframwaith.
Course Content
2 hours per week, evening, 4 weeks. February 2025, Wednesday 6pm to 8pm. The event will be held in Main Arts Lecture Theatre.
This short course delves into the complex ethical considerations surrounding the practice of punishment within the criminal justice system. It begins by exploring the philosophical foundations of punishment, including retribution, deterrence, rehabilitation, and restorative justice. Students will engage with key ethical theories and frameworks, such as utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics, to critically assess the moral justifications for various forms of punishment. The course examines the historical evolution of punishment and its application across different cultures and legal systems. It scrutinizes contemporary issues such as the death penalty, mass incarceration, and the use of solitary confinement, evaluating their ethical implications and societal impact. Students will also investigate the challenges of ensuring fairness and justice in the administration of punishment, addressing topics like wrongful convictions, and the treatment of vulnerable populations.
Learner Outcomes
Week 1: Introduction to the sessions. - Definition and Purpose of Punishment - Overview of Ethical Considerations in Punishment - Theories of Punishment: - Retribution - Deterrence - Rehabilitation - Restorative Justice - Ethical Theories and Frameworks: - Utilitarianism - Deontology - Virtue Ethics
Week 2: The Death Penalty - Ethical Arguments For and Against Capital Punishment - Case Studies and Legal Precedents - Impact on Society and the Legal System Incarceration and Its Alternatives - Ethics of Mass Incarceration - Solitary Confinement: Ethical and Psychological Implications - Community-Based Alternatives to Incarceration
Week 3: Wrongful Convictions and Miscarriages of Justice - Causes and Consequences of Wrongful Convictions - Ethical Responsibilities - Case Studies of Exoneration Rehabilitation and Restorative Justice - Ethical Foundations of Rehabilitation - Restorative Justice Practices and Principles - Success Stories and Challenges
Week 4: Philosophical aspect of ethics of punishment.
Tutor
Lisa Sparkes
I am a Lecturer in Criminology, Criminal Justice, and Policing within the School of History, Law, and Social Sciences. I am also involved in the Student Engagement Team, supporting our students at Bangor University. I have a BA in Criminology and Criminal Justice and an MA in Comparative Criminology from Bangor University. I am also a final year PhD student focused on female gangs in the UK. My teaching is focused on Crime, Power and Punishment, Introduction to Criminology and dissertation modules.