PCE1030

Legal and justice studies

Scott Beattie

6 points - 3 hours per week - First semester - Caulfield - Second semester Clayton

Objectives On completion of this subject, students will be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of the institutions of law and the philosophy under which these institutions operate; understand the legal research process; access and use the internet for the purposes of legal and other academic research; demonstrate a critical understanding of the fields of criminology and justice studies, especially how these inform and influence the discourse of law.

Synopsis PCE1030 is a compulsory first-year subject which creates a foundation of knowledge that other subjects are built on. For students not engaged in the police and justice studies degree, it is also a good introduction for the core concerns of the field. There is a strong focus on the criminal justice aspects of the legal system. This subject provides the student with a foundation in legal studies, justice studies and criminology. Each of these disciplinary areas will be examined to build a theoretical basis for the exploration of the justice professions, with a strong emphasis on the institutions and philosophy of law. This is a companion subject to PCE1010 which undertakes a similar examination of policing.

Assessment Workbook exercises: 50% Research essay (5 pages): 50%

Recommended texts

Hunter R Ingleby R and Johnston R (eds) Thinking about law: Perspectives on the history, philosophy and sociology of law Allen and Unwin, Sydney, 1995
White R and Haines F Crime and criminology: An introduction OUP Melbourne, 1996

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