Restorative Justice (B-KUL-C09C7A)

6 ECTSEnglish26 Second term
N.
POC Criminologische wetenschappen

• Knowledge: understanding the roots, rationales and recent developments of restorative justice in an international perspective, both at the theoretical level and in its practice and policy oriented applications.

• Skills: achieving a competency (1) to apply subject specific sources, (2) to situate restorative justice practice and policy developments into a theoretical framework and (3) to recognize, formulate and elaborate specific research and policy related questions.

 Attitudes: developing an open and flexible personal attitude towards different professional and societal cultures and paradigms, in an international context.

Bachelor's level knowledge of criminal law and criminal procedure, victimology, penology and research methods.

Activities

6 ects. Restorative Justice (B-KUL-C09C7a)

6 ECTSEnglishFormat: Lecture26 Second term
N.
POC Criminologische wetenschappen

The English taught course presents an empirical and theoretical approach of restorative justice, in which diverse aspects are dealt with. First, restorative justice is placed in its historical and cross-cultural perspective. The currently most important restorative justice models are discussed (such as victim-offender mediation and conferencing). Their relation to criminal procedure is discussed, as well as the ethical dimension of restorative justice. Crimininological theories in relation to restorative justice are examined. A lot of attention goes to evaluative research on restorative practices (effects on victim and offender, involvement of the community, impact on judicial decision making, etc.). Implementation processes of restorative justice programmes are studied, including, for example, the impact of legislation. The influence of policies at the international level (Council of Europe, European Union, ...) is analysed. Several practice oriented topics are dealt with, including training and the role of apologies. Finally, attention is given to more recent and specific fields of application, such as restorative justice in prisons and in cases of large-scale violent conflict.

1)     The history of Restorative Justice
2)     Restorative Justice models – basic facts and developments: Victim-Offender Mediation, Family Group Conferencing and Peacemaking Circles
3)     Restorative Justice practice: case studies
4)     Restorative Justice and the Law: theoretical foundations, legal frameworks and safeguards
5)     Restorative Justice and ethics
6)     Restorative Justice and evaluative research: methodology and findings
7)     Restorative Justice theories and their validation
8)     Restorative Justice implementation models and the question of institutionalisation
9)     Restorative Justice policy development at a supranational level
10)  Restorative Justice practice standards, qualifications and training
11)  Restorative Justice - offender and victim related issues: the role of shame, guilt, remorse, redress, healing and forgiving
12)  Restorative Justice and the role of the community and volunteers
13)  Specific fields of application: Restorative Justice in educational settings, Restorative Policing, Restorative Justice in Corrections, Restorative Justice and family violence, Restorative Justice in the case of gross human rights violations, and Restorative Justice and Responsive Regulation in cases of international conflict

Texts will be made available during the semester, consisting of a selection of scientific articles and book chapters. Ample use is made of resarch findings from KU Leuven in this domain.

During 13 contact moments of each 2 hours, the respective topics of the course are dealt with. Each contact moment goes with relevant literature, and the student is expected to prepare actively. The contact moments themselves are highly interactive. By the end of the semester, students write a paper (max. 15 pages) (in English or Dutch).

Evaluation

Evaluation: Restorative Justice (B-KUL-C29C7a)

Type : Partial or continuous assessment with (final) exam during the examination period
Description of evaluation : Paper/Project


The evaluation (20p) of Restorative Justice is based on the following components:
1. Participation during contact moments, including weekly preparation (6p)
2. Written paper (12p)
3. Oral presentation of the paper during exam period (2p)

If the student does not pass during the first examination session, component 2 has to be redone during a second examination period.