module specification

The aim of this module is to encourage professional development. The module is delivered via small group workshops which focus on the development and/or strengthening of your professional profile in preparation for future job applications. You will also develop/strengthen your knowledge and understanding of potential roles within the criminal justice sector and consider how to match some of the skills/qualifications required by employers with those you have developed during your degree and previous work/study experience. The knowledge, skills and understanding gained via this module will be useful for those who intend to seek employment within the criminal justice sector.

Via the workshops, reading and discussions:

1. You will develop an understanding of key roles within the criminal justice sector. 
2. You will be encouraged to develop your professional profile (CV, LinkedIn, cover letters, interview performance etc).
3. You will consider how to match your skills to criminal justice employers’ requirements.
4. You will be encouraged to consider your career aspirations and to develop the skills and confidence to pursue them.

Available for Study Abroad? NO

The syllabus will cover:

The Criminal Justice Sector: developing knowledge/understanding and exploring the key roles within the criminal justice sector and, with your peers, you are also encouraged to consider/share your own career aspirations (LO 1,2,3).

Professional profile development/branding: covers the ways in which the professional profile can maximise chances of employment. You will also be encouraged in the development of your own professional profile and consider ways in which you can continue to develop your profile throughout the module and beyond (LO 1,2,3).

Recruitment processes (e.g. psychometric testing): considers the types of job applications and recruitment processes you may encounter within the sector and considers the skills required to maximise your potential for success in gaining employment (LO 1,2,3).

CVs/Cover letters: looks at developing/strengthening your CV and/or cover letters for seeking employment (LO 3).

Work-based skills and experience: Considers skills required for a range of key criminal justice sector roles and encourages you to match the skills you have developed in your degree course and/or work experience with those required (LO 1,2,3). 

Meet the pros: Criminal justice sector employees (many of them previously London Met students) come in to meet you and talk to you about their professional development and their experiences of working within the criminal justice sector. They will endeavour to share with you some tips about the application/recruitment processesthey had to go through to get there.

Assignment workshops: assists you with expressing, orally and in writing, their professional profile and/or skills/qualifications for work via the portfolio assessment task (LO 1,2,3).

The module is based on small group weekly workshops which involve a more practical and interactive approach than the traditional lecture and seminar format. Each 3-hour session will explore key areas as outlined in the syllabus (using a range of methods/media), group debates and tasks/activities. You are expected to attend and engage in all sessions. In addition, you are expected to undertake 6-7 hours independent reading/study per week to develop your knowledge and critical thinking skills; to support your engagement in the sessions and the completion of assignments.The sessions all offer the opportunity for reflective learning, whereby you are encouraged to consider the knowledge gained via workshops and the development of your professional profile. A range of learning/teaching styles are adopted across the module and students are encouraged to work on the completion of the portfolio assessment as the module progresses – assignment workshops are also dedicated to looking at the completion of the portfolio assessment. Further resources, including links to videos, podcasts, websites, cases/places of interest are provided via Weblearn and you are encouraged to engage in online discussion forums with your peers.

On successful completion of the module you will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of key roles within the criminal justice sector and beyond.

2. Reflect upon your own professional development to date and consider what is required in terms of future/continuous development to enable you to fill any gaps in your skill set and maximise your chances of employment within the criminal justice sector and beyond.

3. Demonstrate confidence in expressing, orally and in writing, the skills you have acquired via study/work experience.

The module is assessed via one piece of coursework. The 2500-word portfolio allows you to demonstrate your knowledge of key roles within the criminal justice sector and the skills/qualifications required/acquired to achieve your career aspirations. Short responses/write-ups/tasks, which are closely linked to module content and the learning outcomes outlined above, are required for each section of the portfolio and this can be completed across the module as key topics are covered within the workshop. The assignment workshop will assist you with the preparation and completion of assessments. Tutorial support will also be offered throughout the module by way of tutor availability during office hours, seminar/workshop discussions and via email.

Key Reading:

https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/A15647E1-E576-1F4A-FD8D-17BF74B7E2C4.html?lang=en&login=1