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CSS212Social Sciences3 Unitsintermediate

The Sociology Of Punishment And Corrections

This course introduces students to the sociological analysis of punishment and correction. It explores the history and philosophies of punishment, institutional corrections, and the prison environment. Students will examine punitive sanctions, prison administration, and the effects of imprisonment. The course also covers correctional treatments, prison reform, criminal justice system theories, and the treatment of prisoners, providing a comprehensive understanding of punishment and correction.

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200h
Study Time
13
Weeks
15h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
PunishmentCorrectionSociologyPrisonsCriminal Justice

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
📚
Math Level
No Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

History of Punishment

2

Philosophies of Punishment

3

Institutional Corrections

4

Prison Community

5

Prison Labor

6

Prisoner Rights

Total Topics6 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Computer Based Test

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Correctional Officer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Probation Officer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Social Worker

Apply your skills in this growing field

Criminologist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Policy Advisor

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

Law EnforcementCorrectionsSocial ServicesGovernmentRehabilitation Centers

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1:

8h

Unit 1: History and Efficacy of Punishment

4 study hours
  • •Read introduction to punishment.
  • •Understand the origin of punishment.
  • •Discuss efficacy of punishment.

Unit 2: Philosophies of Punishment

4 study hours
  • •Study transcendental philosophies.
  • •Understand penal theories.
  • •Discuss conditions influencing punishment effectiveness.
Week
2

Module 1:

8h

Unit 3: Historical Overview of Institutional Corrections

4 study hours
  • •Study Middle Ages corrections.
  • •Understand punishment in the 17th and 18th centuries.
  • •Discuss corrections in the 19th century.

Unit 4: The General Nature of the Prison Community

4 study hours
  • •Understand the nature of a normal community.
  • •Study the structure of prisons.
  • •Discuss prison systems and administration.
Week
3

Module 2:

8h

Unit 1: Classification, Reception and Case Work

4 study hours
  • •Study history of classification.
  • •Understand classification bodies.
  • •Discuss classification centers and committees.

Unit 2: Prison Labor

4 study hours
  • •Understand issues on prison labor.
  • •Study systems of prison labor.
  • •Discuss a prison labor policy.
Week
4

Module 2:

8h

Unit 3: Release from Prison

4 study hours
  • •Understand pardon and commutation.
  • •Study parole and indeterminate sentences.
  • •Discuss parole conditions and types.

Unit 4: Probation

4 study hours
  • •Understand issues on probation.
  • •Study history of probation.
  • •Discuss probation department functions.
Week
5

Module 3:

12h

Unit 1: Theoretical Framework of the Prisons System

6 study hours
  • •Study system perspective.
  • •Understand symbolic interactionism perspective.
  • •Discuss social process perspective.

Unit 2: Purposes and Goals of the Criminal Sanction

6 study hours
  • •Study purposes and goals of criminal sanction.
  • •Understand retribution and deterrence.
  • •Discuss incapacitation and rehabilitation.
Week
6

Module 4:

12h

Unit 3: The Choice of a Sanction

4 study hours
  • •Understand various forms of sanction.
  • •Study factors determining sanction choice.
  • •Discuss structuring sentences.

Unit 4: Issues on Capital Punishment (Death Penalty)

4 study hours
  • •Understand different effects of capital punishment.
  • •Study deterrence and discrimination arguments.
  • •Discuss history of death penalty laws.

Unit 1: Sentencing Practices

4 study hours
  • •Study sentencing practices.
  • •Understand legal and non-legal factors.
  • •Discuss factors in criminal prosecution.
Week
7

Module 4:

12h

Unit 2: The Inmates Social Code and Functions

4 study hours
  • •Study the inmates social code.
  • •Understand the nature of a normal community.
  • •Discuss the structure of prisons.

Unit 3: Re-socialization within Walls

4 study hours
  • •Study re-socialization within walls.
  • •Understand inmate social system.
  • •Discuss characteristics of the system.

Unit 4: The Pains of Imprisonment

4 study hours
  • •Study the pains of imprisonment.
  • •Understand deprivation of liberty and goods.
  • •Discuss deprivation of heterosexual relationships.
Week
8

Module 5:

12h

Unit 5: Prisonization

4 study hours
  • •Study prisonization.
  • •Understand universal factors.
  • •Discuss determinants of prisonization.

Unit 1: Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners

4 study hours
  • •Study standard minimum rules.
  • •Understand register and separation of categories.
  • •Discuss accommodation and personal hygiene.

Unit 2: Limitation of Treatment in Prisons

4 study hours
  • •Study clothing and bedding.
  • •Understand food and medical services.
  • •Discuss discipline and punishment.
Week
9

Module 5:

12h

Unit 3: Classification as Part of Treatment in the Prison System

4 study hours
  • •Study instruments of restraint.
  • •Understand information and complaints.
  • •Discuss contact with the outside world.

Unit 4: Group Therapy with Offenders

4 study hours
  • •Study books and religion.
  • •Understand retention of property.
  • •Discuss notification of death and removal.

Unit 5: Modification of the Criminal Value System

4 study hours
  • •Study rules applicable to special categories.
  • •Understand prisoners under sentence.
  • •Discuss classification and individualization.
Week
10

Module 6:

12h

Unit 1: Evolution and Philosophies of Prisons System in Nigeria

4 study hours
  • •Study evolution and philosophies of prisons in Nigeria.
  • •Understand history and trends.
  • •Discuss historical development of prisons.

Unit 2: Penological Policies of the Nigerian Criminal Justice System

4 study hours
  • •Study penological policies.
  • •Understand penal objectives.
  • •Discuss retributive theory.

Unit 3: Penal Practices in Nigeria

4 study hours
  • •Study penal practices in Nigeria.
  • •Understand the problem of clear philosophy.
  • •Discuss suggestions for improvement.
Week
11

Module 7:

12h

Unit 4: Punishment as a Deterrent: How Effectiveness has it been ? (A Case of Nigerian Environment)

4 study hours
  • •Study punishment as a deterrent.
  • •Understand the aim of punishment.
  • •Discuss the Nigerian situation.

Unit 1: Awaiting Trial and Holding Charge in Nigeria Criminal Justice System

4 study hours
  • •Study awaiting trial and holding charge.
  • •Understand causes of awaiting trial.
  • •Discuss the practice of holding charge.

Unit 2: Prisoners Rights and Civil Disabilities of Ex-Convicts in Nigeria

4 study hours
  • •Study prisoners rights.
  • •Understand loss of rights.
  • •Discuss civil disabilities of ex-convicts.
Week
12

Module 7:

12h

Unit 3: Nigerian Prison After Care Services

4 study hours
  • •Study Nigerian prison after care services.
  • •Understand principles and strategies.
  • •Discuss growing the private sector.

Unit 4: The Advocacy for Deinstitutionalization of Sentences in Nigeria

4 study hours
  • •Study the advocacy for deinstitutionalization.
  • •Understand arguments against prison.
  • •Discuss meaning and purpose of deinstitutionalization.

Unit 5: Various Recommendations on Prisons Reform.

4 study hours
  • •Study various recommendations on prisons reform.
  • •Understand proposals for reform.
  • •Discuss implementation of recommendations.
Week
13

Final Revision

12h

Final Revision

12 study hours
  • •Review all modules and units.
  • •Complete assignments.
  • •Prepare for final examination.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create a timeline of key events in the history of punishment and corrections (Units 1-3)

2

Compare and contrast the different philosophies of punishment (Unit 2)

3

Outline the key provisions of the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Module 5)

4

Analyze the factors contributing to prisonization and its impact on inmates (Unit 4, Module 4)

5

Research current issues and debates surrounding capital punishment in Nigeria (Unit 4, Module 3)

6

Develop case studies illustrating the challenges faced by ex-convicts in reintegrating into society (Unit 2, Module 7)

7

Practice essay questions on the effectiveness of different correctional strategies (Modules 2, 5)

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