Course Title: Law and Criminal Justice Policy

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Law and Criminal Justice Policy

Credit Points: 12

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
POLI1069	City Campus	Undergraduate	365H Global Studies, Soc Sci & Plng	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2007

Course Coordinator: Michele Ruyters

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 39252537

Course Coordinator Email:michele.ruyters@rmit.edu.au

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None

Course Description

This course is a study of topical issues that affect law and criminal justice in Australia and internationally. You will be encouraged to consider creative solutions to problems in the criminal justice and legal areas and will consider a range of possible reform options. The course will include a consideration of socio-economic issues and ethical concerns in the criminal justice area and relevant cultural and international issues will be considered throughout the course. You will have the opportunity to take part in team-based work as part of the assessment.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

At the completion of this subject, you will be expected to:
1. Have an advanced understanding of the law relating to current issues concerning criminal justice;

2. Be able to critique the selected topical issues relating to the law and criminal justice at an advanced level;

3. Be able to demonstrate creative initiative in formulating solutions to problems presented in the seminar program.

4. Become cognisant of, and be able to critically assess, the influences on the making of criminal justice policy with a focus on the balance between the rights of the individual, the state and community


5. Be aware of and be able to communicate and critically analyse the competing policy considerations that impact on reform in the criminal justice arena

6. Understand and competently analyse the impact of global trends on criminal justice issues and become cognisant of current knowledge, trends and policy considerations in an international climate

7. Be able to effectively apply your knowledge to current policy debate

8. Be able to formally evaluate a range of possible reform options to industry standards;

9. Utilise different communication techniques within the group


10. Engage in research and the research writing process at a competent level
.

Overview of Learning Activities

As part of the learning experience, you will have the opportunity to attend lectures and use the distributed learning system throughout the semester. There will be a focus on on interactive class discussion in lectures, which will also include relevant video/multi media/print media resources. You will have the opportunity to engage in team-based activities.

Overview of Learning Resources

Texts and collections of reading material will be prescribed when appropriate. Learning resources will also be available through the distributed learning system while relevant legislation and other specified material may be accessed via the World Wide Web.

Overview of Assessment

Assessment will be drawn from individual or group presentations, preparation of reading materials, research assignments, group activities and examinations. The assessment tasks are intended to develop your critical analytical skills, provide an opportunity to develop and enhance your research skills in the legal and policy arenas, encourage team work practices that are reflective of the workplace and encourage the open communication of knowledge and ideas.