JUST 7007 Issues in the Criminal Justice System

Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 201068

Coordinator Rossi Kotsis Opens in new window

Description This subject introduces candidates to the criminal justice system through a critical review of justifications for punishment and the policy and practice of various criminal justice agencies. Attention is paid to the significance of race, class and gender, and how these variables impact upon justice within the criminal justice system. Students will engage with contemporary issues and ongoing debates in criminal justice. Where possible, visits to criminal justice agencies and a prison are organised, and practitioners are invited to seminars to enable candidates to gain a more practical understanding of the criminal justice system.

School Law

Discipline Legal Studies

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 10cp

Check your fees via the Fees page.

Level Postgraduate Coursework Level 7 subject

Pre-requisite(s) LAWS 7048 - Criminal Law

Incompatible Subjects JUST 3011 - Issues in the Criminal Justice System

Restrictions

Students must be enrolled in a postgraduate program.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  1. Critically review current approaches to crime and criminal justice.
  2. Evaluate the dynamic nature of criminal justice and the social, political and legal factors which contribute to this dynamism.
  3. Critically analyse the impact of the criminal justice system on different social groups, including Indigenous people.
  4. Demonstrate advanced communication and collaboration skills.

Subject Content

The following topics comprise the list from which each semester's content will be based. However depending on guest speakers and student interest not every topic is necessarily covered.

  1. Themes in Criminal Justice
  2. Criminal legal theory
  3. Crime and Indigenous Australians
  4. Crime and Statistics
  5. The Jury
  6. Victims of Crime
  7. Sentencing
  8. Prisons and penalty
  9. Restorative Justice
  10. Victim-offender conferencing
  11. Terrorism
  12. History of criminal law and procedure
  13. International crime and tribunals
  14. Psychology and crime
  15. Public order
  16. Police practices

Assessment

The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.

Type Length Percent Threshold Individual/Group Task
Participation Ongoing throughout subject 10 N Individual
Presentation 30 minutes 30 N Group
Report 2,000 words 20 N Individual
Final Exam Take home examination 40 N Individual

Prescribed Texts

  • Findlay, Mark, Stephen Odgers and Stanley Yeo, Australian Criminal Justice (Oxford University Press, 5th ed, 2014)