Monash University Handbook 2010 Postgraduate - Unit

Synopsis

This unit equips students to critically analyse and evaluate perennial issues in criminal justice practice and reform. Topics examined include: catalysts for reform and changing practice; domestic practice and reform; international practice and reform; and key sector involvement in informing policy change, for example, race and the criminal justice system. The unit examines these and other fields of inquiry across a range of jurisdictions. In doing so it assists the reflective practitioner to analyse key issues in changing criminal justice practice at the local, regional and international levels.

Objectives

Upon completion of this subject students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of catalysts for criminal justice reform and changing practice including miscarriages of justice, commissions of inquiry, non government bodies, the parliament and political process and changing technology.

2. Demonstrate a critical understanding of domestic criminal justice practice and reform including introduction of the Koori court, drugs policy, crime prevention and the administration of justice.

3. Demonstrate a critical understanding of international criminal justice practice and reform including issues relating to privatisation, punishment and sentencing and conflicting jurisdictional issues at the local, state, federal and international levels.

4. Demonstrate a critical understanding of key sectors in criminal justice practice and reform including national and international trends in crime and punishment, the professionalisation of criminal justice practitioners, accountability processes and community involvement in controlling crime.

5. Undertake integrated analyses of criminal justice practice and reform across local, national and international arenas.

Assessment

Criminal Justice Reform Evaluation (4000 words): 40%
Policy Analysis Report (5,000 words): 60%

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Colleen Lewis

Contact hours

One two hour seminar per week