Leader: Dr David Baker

Offered

Gippsland Second semester 2008 (Day)
Gippsland Second semester 2008 (Off-campus)

Synopsis

This unit analyses and evaluates some of the challenges confronting the main agencies of criminal justice. Students learn about the various tiers in the criminal justice process, analyse its workings and tensions, and explore community crime prevention alternatives. The unit examines state and federal police agencies, private security, criminal courts, sentencing, punishment and corrections, and diversionary and community-based initiatives. It asks, among other things, whether current approaches to the administration of criminal justice address the needs of various communities (regional, rural, urban), victims of crime and the rehabilitation potential of perpetrators of crime.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this unit, students are expected to have developed:

1. a critical awareness of the functioning of the three major institutions of the criminal justice system;
2. a knowledge of reforms to the criminal justice system and of various diversionary alternatives;
3. the analytical skills needed to think critically and independently about the criminal justice process;
4. the skill to analyse a range of opinions in relation to traditional and alternative forms of policing, sentencing and punishing;
5. an appreciation of contemporary and controversial debates relevant to justice issues in Australia;
6. the ability to compose an essay based on evidence and logical and balanced argument.

Assessment

Seminar participation or participation in on-line forum (off campus) (weekly) : 10%
Assignment (1000 words) : 20%
Essay (1500 words) : 30%
Exam (2 hours) : 40%
OCL students posting regular and relevant comments to an on-line forum will account for 10% of their mark

Contact hours

2 hours per week (one-hour lecture and two-hour seminar)