CRI1002 - Criminal justice in action: Police, courts and corrections

Leader(s): Sharon Pickering

Offered

Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Day)
Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)
South Africa Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit explores the workings of the major institutions of the criminal justice system in Australia and analyses current debates surrounding the outcomes of the system. The police, courts and sentencing, punishment and prisons and alternative community-based schemes will be investigated. The unit examines the relationship between the different parts of the criminal justice system and the relationship with the wider community. The ways in which police, courts and corrections handle contemporary issues such as mandatory sentencing, zero tolerance, drugs, vigilante justice and juvenile justice are relevant to the subject.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this unit students will be able to demonstrate:

1. A critical awareness of the functioning of the criminal justice system.

2. An insight into the complex workings and a critical awareness of the functioning of the major institutions of the various tiers of the criminal justice system.

3. An understanding of contemporary debates relevant to criminal justice and its future in Australia.

4. The skill to analyse diverse arguments in relation to traditional and alternative forms of policing, sentencing and punishing.

5. The ability to write an essay based on rational argument.

Assessment

Class participation: 10%
Tutorial presentation: 10%
Essay (2000 words): 40%
Examination (2 hours) 40%