The proposed course aims to provide an in-depth understanding of the theoretical underpinnings, justifications, and contemporary practices of punishment and security. The subject is approached from criminological, socio-legal, philosophical, and historical perspectives. The course explores the role of the state in the exercise of its most coercive functions against individual citizens – whether punishing those found guilty of criminal wrongdoing or taking security measures against those deemed to pose a risk to the safety of the public and the nation.
In Michaelmas Term it will focus on ‘why we punish’ by examining major debates in penal theory concerning the authority of the state to punish and the various justifications and rationales for punishment - not least desert theory and its critics, communicative and consequentialist theories. The second half of the term considers ‘how we punish’ by exploring diverse social, economic and political aspects of punishment and examining whether it is possible to do justice to difference.
In Hilary Term the focus shifts from punishment to the pursuit of security and critically examines what is meant by security (whether, for example, as pursuit, commodity, or public good). Successive seminars consider whether the growth of markets in private security and the development of communal and personal security provision evidence the fragmentation or dispersal of state power. They examine exercises in state sovereignty in the name of risk management, counterterrorism, and migration and border control. These reassertions of state power permit significant intrusions into individual freedom and the deployment of exceptional measures and the course will address important questions about the limits of legality and the balancing of liberty and security.
In Trinity Term two final seminars provide an opportunity for critical reflection and engagement with issues raised throughout the course. The first will examine the relationship between public and private security and consider the commodification of security and the second examines new technologies of crime control.
The course is normally taught by 12 seminars and 4 tutorials spread across Michaelmas and Hilary Terms (six seminars and two tutorials in each) with 2 further summative seminars in Trinity providing an opportunity for critical reflection on the whole course. The standard exam for the BCL (ie 3 hour closed book) will be set.
The focus of teaching will be the weekly seminar, which all those taking the course are required to attend. Students will be expected to read and think about the assigned materials in advance of the seminar. The seminar will be introduced by a Faculty member, followed by discussion around a set of questions distributed in advance. In addition, the Centre for Criminology organizes seminars during the academic year at which distinguished invited speakers discuss current research or major issues of policy. This programme is advertised on the Centre's website and all students are encouraged to attend.
Learning outcomes: an in-depth understanding of the theoretical underpinnings, justifications, and contemporary practices of punishment and security.