CRJ2001 - Comparative criminal justice: An international perspective

Leader: David Baker

Offered

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

Synopsis

Students study the aims and methods of comparative criminal justice. Policing structures, functions and practices are examined. The unit explores how the courts of selected countries conduct criminal trials. The fairness and effectiveness of sentencing and punishment will be analysed. Penal policy and prisoner rights will be considered as well as recent innovative non-custodial sanctions. The dismantling of geographical boundaries has hastened the spread of transnational organised crime networks. This unit offers a comparative perspective of the nature of transnational crime and the national and international efforts to identify and control such activities.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of the unit, students are expected to have developed:
1. a deeper understanding and appreciation of contemporary international criminal justice issues; 2. an understanding of the role, functions and essential features of criminal justice systems in a range of countries; 3. the ability to analyse and evaluate the fairness of criminal justice systems within particular political systems; 4. the skill to conduct comparative analysis of criminal justice systems and to identify implications for the future of an international criminal justice system; 5. an appreciation of the issues that distinguish criminal justice systems in selected countries; 6. an understanding of the evolving globalisation of crime and the cooperative efforts needed to combat it; 7. a critical perspective on the role of law enforcement and international tribunals and courts in confronting transnational crime.

Assessment

Tutorial participation (On-going): 10%
Essay (2500 words): 50%
Exam (2000): 40%
Off-campus learning students will participate in an on-line forum (10%) while on-campus students will participate in tutorials (10%)

Contact hours

2 hours (1 x 1 hour lecture and 1 x 1 hour tutorial) per week

Prerequisites

CRJ1001 and CRJ1002 or equivalent

Prohibitions

CRJ3001