Traditional And Informal Mechanisms Of Crime
- Social Sciences
- 300 level
- 3 credit units
- 169 pages
- 5 units
This course introduces students to traditional and informal mechanisms of crime control, exploring their definitions, conceptual issues, and connections with formal systems. It examines African versus Western thoughts on social control, justice, and law, and opportunities to strengthen native African mechanisms. The course covers indigenous policing, the role of traditional authorities like 'Ayelala', and peace-building functions, fostering social trust and community reintegration. It also addresses judicial system reforms and the interfacing of indigenous and English policing in Nigeria.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 195 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, case study
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of CSS356, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
CSS356 · Unit 1
You are also advised to contact your tutorial facilitator. If you have any difficult in getting any of the text materials recommended for your further reading.
What you should be able to do
- Define traditional and informal mechanisms of crime control
- Compare African and Western perspectives on justice
- Analyze the role of indigenous systems in law enforcement
- Evaluate the effectiveness of traditional methods in peace building
- Understand the challenges and opportunities in judicial system reform
What it prepares you for
- Police Officer
- Law Enforcement Analyst
- Community Justice Worker
- Conflict Resolution Specialist
- Legal Consultant
- Law Enforcement
- Judicial System
- Community Development
- Non-Governmental Organizations
- International Relations
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 2: Introduction
Unit 2: Relationship among Control, justice, And Law
Understanding the philosophical underpinnings of Native African justice systems requires a deep dive into cultural contexts and historical perspectives.
- Module 2: Introduction
Unit 3: Traditional and informal mechanisms of crime control: interfacing Indigenous and English Policing (control) in Nigeria
Analyzing the complex interactions between indigenous and English policing models requires understanding post-colonial power dynamics and legal pluralism.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 78 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Introduction
Unit 1: Traditional and Informal mechanisms of Crime Control: Definitions and conceptual issues · 6 hours
Define traditional and informal mechanisms of crime control. Discuss the connections and disconnections with formal mechanisms. Differentiate between informal, traditional, indigenous, customary, and local systems.
- Week 2Module 2: Introduction
Unit 2: Relationship among Control, justice, And Law · 6 hours
Understand the relationship among control, justice, and law. Analyze philosophical and pragmatic components of Native African versus Western thoughts on social control. Discuss opportunities to strengthen and grow native African mechanisms of crime control.
- Week 3Module 2: Introduction
Unit 3: Traditional and informal mechanisms of crime control: interfacing Indigenous and English Policing (control) in Nigeria · 6 hours
Examine the interfacing of Indigenous and English Policing in Nigeria. Discuss factors enabling Indigenous social control in a modern African State. Analyze the relationship between Indigenous and Foreign Law Enforcement in post-colonial Africa.
- Week 4Module 4:
Unit 1: The use of traditional and informal mechanism of crime control · 6 hours
Study the use of traditional and informal mechanisms of crime control. Understand the origin and functions of 'Ayelala'. Discuss the challenges 'Ayelala' poses to the Nigerian police and judiciary.
- Week 5Module 5:
Unit 1: The peace building functions of traditional/informal mechanism of crime control · 6 hours
Explore the peace-building functions of traditional/informal mechanisms of crime control. Discuss access to justice and violence prevention. Analyze the role of traditional/informal mechanisms in combating crime prevention.
- Week 6Module 1: Introduction
Unit 1: Traditional and Informal mechanisms of Crime Control: Definitions and conceptual issues · 6 hours
Review definitions and conceptual issues of traditional and informal mechanisms of crime control. Discuss what constitutes traditional mechanisms. Analyze conceptions of tradition and neo-traditional justice mechanisms.
- Week 7Module 2: Introduction
Unit 2: Relationship among Control, justice, And Law · 6 hours
Review the relationship among control, justice, and law. Discuss the philosophical and pragmatic components of Native African versus Western thoughts. Analyze opportunities to strengthen and grow Native African mechanisms of crime control.
- Week 8Module 2: Introduction
Unit 3: Traditional and informal mechanisms of crime control: interfacing Indigenous and English Policing (control) in Nigeria · 6 hours
Review the interfacing of Indigenous and English Policing in Nigeria. Discuss factors enabling Indigenous social control. Analyze the relationship between Indigenous and Foreign Law Enforcement.
- Week 9Module 4:
Unit 1: The use of traditional and informal mechanism of crime control · 6 hours
Review the use of traditional and informal mechanisms of crime control. Understand the origin and functions of 'Ayelala'. Discuss the challenges 'Ayelala' poses to the Nigerian police and judiciary.
- Week 10Module 5:
Unit 1: The peace building functions of traditional/informal mechanism of crime control · 6 hours
Review the peace-building functions of traditional/informal mechanisms of crime control. Discuss access to justice and violence prevention. Analyze the role of traditional/informal mechanisms in combating crime prevention.
- Week 11Module 5:
Unit 1: The peace building functions of traditional/informal mechanism of crime control · 6 hours
Discuss social trust and community reintegration. Explore transitional justice mechanisms. Understand judicial system reforms.
- Week 12Module 5:
Unit 1: The peace building functions of traditional/informal mechanism of crime control · 6 hours
Discuss social trust and community reintegration. Explore transitional justice mechanisms. Understand judicial system reforms.
- Week 13Module 1: Introduction
Final Revision · 6 hours
Final Revision. Complete outstanding TMAs. Prepare for final examinations.
Preparing for the exam
- Create a detailed study schedule allocating specific time for each module
- Focus on understanding the key differences between traditional and formal justice systems
- Review case studies related to indigenous policing and conflict resolution
- Practice answering essay questions on the role of traditional mechanisms in peace building
- Prepare concise summaries of the main concepts and theories covered in each unit
Questions students ask about this course
What is CSS356 about?
This course introduces students to traditional and informal mechanisms of crime control, exploring their definitions, conceptual issues, and connections with formal systems. It examines African versus Western thoughts on social control, justice, and law, and opportunities to strengthen native African mechanisms. The course covers indigenous policing, the role of traditional authorities like 'Ayelala', and peace-building functions, fostering social trust and community reintegration. It also addresses judicial system reforms and the interfacing of indigenous and English policing in Nigeria.
How many units does CSS356 have?
CSS356, Traditional And Informal Mechanisms Of Crime, has 5 units across 4 modules, over 169 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is CSS356?
CSS356 carries 3 credit units, at 300 level in Social Sciences.
Is CSS356 hard?
CSS356 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.
How long does CSS356 take to study?
About 195 hours of study, spread across its 5 units.
How is CSS356 assessed?
CSS356 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What can I do with CSS356?
Police Officer, Law Enforcement Analyst, Community Justice Worker, Conflict Resolution Specialist and Legal Consultant.