KRUS3206 The Norwegian Penal System: Comparative, Practical Studies
| Emnekode | KRUS3206 Kriminalomsorg i Norge - komparative praksisstudier |
| Engelsk emnenavn | KRUS3206 The Norwegian Penal System: Comparative, Practical Studies |
| Studieprogrammet emnet inngår i | Bachelor i straffegjennomføring / Programme: Bachelor in Correctional Studies |
| Emnegruppet emnet inngår i | Valgfritt emne / Module group: Elective module |
| Studiepoeng | 15 / Credits: 15 |
| Semester | Spring 2023 |
| Undervisningsspråk | Teaching language: English |
| Emneansvarlig |
The module KRUS3206 The Norwegian Penal System: Comparative, Practical Studies offers bachelor students in correctional studies and our exchange students an opportunity to explore the Norwegian and other Scandinavian penal systems in the light of penal systems in other countries. Students at KRUS are given the opportunity to take placements with one of our international partner institutions. KRUS can offer exchange students from our partner institutions placements at the university college, partner institutions and at certain penal institutions.
The module will provide students with extended knowledge of Norwegian and Scandinavian penal ideology and practice seen in the light of ideologies and practices in a chosen host country. Central to the module is student observations and placements with available partners such as prisons, electronic monitoring, and probation offices. Students must expect to undertake independent course work.
In order to achieve the stated learning outcomes, students must expect to work a minimum of 375 hrs over the course of the semester, including placement/observation, supervision, course requirements, independent study and exam.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge
The student
- will have acquired deeper knowledge of Norwegian and Scandinavian penal history, ideology, and practice
- will have acquired knowledge of penal history, ideology, and practice in a chosen country
- will have acquired knowledge of the role of the prison officer in selected countries, including strategies, organisation, professional roles, and everyday tasks
Skills
The student
- will be able to, in an analytical manner, compare and contrast different ways of organising and operating penal systems and the execution of sentences
- will be able to, based on theory and experiences from observations and placements, examine different countries’ professional and ethical issues on an individual and systemic level
- will be able to orally present and discuss Norwegian, Scandinavian, and a chosen country’s penal systems and executions of sentences in a professional manner in English
General competence
The student
- will have gained insight into comparative, professional, and ethical issues on both the individual and systemic level
- will be able to communicate in a professional and suitable manner in English with both prisoners and staff while on placements
- will be able to, in a nuanced and thoughtful way, impart important literature, theories, issues, and solutions in both spoken and written English
- will be able to utilise new knowledge acquired from observations and placements in a way that contributes to change, development, and innovation at their own place of work
Entry requirements
To apply, you must be a student on either the Bachelor of correctional studies supplementary course at KRUS or a bachelor programme at a Norwegian or international higher education institution KRUS has an agreement with. You must be a qualified prison officer or have achieved a minimum of 120 ECTS credits from a university or university college. International students from institutions with an exchange agreement with KRUS, must have achieved at least 60 ECTS.
Applications must include a motivational letter in English in which you give a brief presentation of yourself and your motivation for applying to this module.
This module may be open to single subject students through a separate application process. Students on the supplementary course, national and international exchange students, and employees of the Norwegian Correctional Service will be given priority in the application process.
For more information, see our website.
Teaching
The module is organised as a part-time study over one semester. Up to three 3-day seminars will take place over the course of the semester. Some of the seminars may allow for digital attendance. Placements and/or observational practice will take place during the semester at a prison or probation office, or similar, in Norway (for international students) or abroad (for Norwegian students). Students must expect a great deal of individual course work. Supervision will be provided before, during, and after the placement period. Student collaboration will be emphasised where possible.
For international students completing their placement in Norway, the placement can last a total of 12 weeks. The placement period can be completed during 12 consecutive weeks or during separate periods. There will be given assignments to be completed during placement. For Norwegian students, the assignments and activities over the placement period will vary depending on the countries with which KRUS has agreements at the time, see our website for more information. The placement period will be supervised in all countries, i.e. each student will be guided by a practice supervisor.
Both Norwegian and international students are expected to communicate in English during their placement periods, both during everyday practice in their host country and during presentations.
The students will write a report from their placement accounting for their experiences and learning during the placement and present this to their hosts towards the end of the placement period.
Course requirements
- One individual reflective essay based on your placement report. Must be written in English and 1,000-1,200 words. The essay must adhere to formal requirements for written assignments as stated on Canvas and/or krus.no. Grading: Pass/Fail. A Pass is a prerequisite for sitting the exam.
- A minimum of 80% attendance in seminars, observational practice, and on placement
- An oral presentation based on the reflective essay held for (if possible) fellow students and employees of the partner institution and/or placement facility
Assessment
An individual written report in English, 2,500 words, +/- 10%. Adhere to formal requirements for written assignments as stated on Canvas and/or krus.no.
Plenary presentation of the report followed by an oral examination, both in English.
Two examiners chosen by KRUS, one internal and one external.
Grading system/Assessment
Pass/Fail
Materials permitted in examinations
All materials permitted.