| Unit name | Children and Young People in the Law A |
|---|---|
| Unit code | SPOL30057 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Jo Staines |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School for Policy Studies |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Why is this unit important?
Children are affected by the law and legal systems, directly and indirectly, in every area of their lives; this unit provides an opportunity to explore the impact of the law on children and their families in a range of different arena. This unit enables students to consider how and why the law is underpinned by and perpetuates specific conceptualisations of children that can contribute to, or reduce, breaches of children’s rights. The unit is important for students who envisage a career working with or for children and their families, and those who have a broader interest in how the law can contribute to and maintain particular social and political norms.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
This a level 6 optional unit that tackles some of the key challenges and tensions within the English legal system for children and young people. It builds upon key concepts, theories and skills introduced in previous years of the Childhood Studies programmes and complements learning across other programmes within the School for Policy Studies. Students who enjoyed the Youth Justice unit may be particularly interested in studying Children and Young People in the Law.
An overview of content
Within a framework of children’s rights, this unit explores children and young people’s status within the English legal system and questions how - and why - children may occupy multiple conceptualisations that underpin and are perpetuated by the law. A wide range of topics is used to analyse the tensions inherent within children’s participation in legal situations, including children and young people as witnesses and defendants in criminal proceedings; as subjects of medical intervention; as refugees and asylum seekers; as parties to parental divorce and separation; or involved in adoption, fostering and child protection proceedings. Discussions focus on the potential discrepancies between enabling children’s autonomy and ensuring their best interests are paramount in legal decisions, and how these competing, and sometimes contradictory, aims can be reconciled. The law is ‘alive’ and ever-changing; students are encouraged to research current cases, as reported in the media and in law reports, which are then discussed in seminars.
The objectives of the unit are to develop students’ awareness and knowledge of:
The unit consists of a weekly mix of seminar, lecture and guided independent activities. These activities combine teacher delivery to students, asynchronous activities such as recorded interviews/talks and other teaching materials, student discussion, student group work and student independent activities including structured reading, engaging with audio/visual resources and analysing different written data sources.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
The different elements within the portfolio will build on discussions and tasks completed within the seminars; formative feedback will be provided within the seminars, office hour and through a discussion thread on Blackboard
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Portfolio (3000 words, 100%) This assessment covers all of the ILOs.
When assessment does not go to plan
Subject to the university regulations for taught programmes, unsuccessful students may be offered an opportunity for reassessment. This will comprise a task of the same format as the original assessment.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. SPOL30057).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
