Course Title: Work within the criminal justice system

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2014

Course Code: JUST5725

Course Title: Work within the criminal justice system

School: 365T Global, Urban and Social Studies

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4323 - Certificate IV in Justice

Course Contact: Irene Pagliarella, Program Manager

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4581

Course Contact Email: irene.pagliarella@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Rebecca Williams
E: rebecca.williams@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 50

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

Nil

Course Description

In this course you will develop the skills and knowledge required to define and apply your role within the criminal justice system and in particular the adjudicative phase.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

VU20869 Work within the criminal justice system

Element:

1. Review the components of the criminal justice system

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Purpose and functions of the Victorian criminal justice system and the interrelationship of its main components are delineated
1.2 Context of the investigative phase of the criminal justice system is analysed
1.3 Range of law enforcement agencies and their roles and powers of investigation and jurisdiction are identified
1.4 Impact of contemporary issues within the criminal justice system are identified, investigated and debated

Element:

2. Examine the adjudicative component of the criminal justice system

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Adjudicative component of the criminal justice system is described and its internal stakeholders identified
2.2 Key principles of criminal justice are identified and applied
2.3 Development and impact of specialist and therapeutic courts on the criminal justice system are investigated and debated
2.4 Sentencing principles are investigated against the underpinning principles of criminal justice

Element:

3. Review criminal justice system for application to practice

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Relationship between purpose, functions and components of the criminal justice system and current/potential job roles is delineated and developed
3.2 Skills, knowledge and attitudes appropriate for conducting job role within criminal justice system contexts are determined and applied
3.3 Responsiveness to debates on contemporary issues is incorporated into professional practice


Learning Outcomes


On completion of the course, you will be able to:

  • Effectively work with relevant investigative, adjudicative and correctional agencies, to meet your own current/potential job roles within the criminal justice system
  • Provide evidence of knowledge on the functions and purpose of the criminal justice system and its main components
  • Provide evidence of knowledge of relevant legislation governing investigation, law enforcement, punishment and rehabilitation within the criminal justice system


Details of Learning Activities

You will participate in a variety of learning activities. They include the following:
In class activities:
• Role plays
• Observations
• Demonstrations
• Lectures
• Presentations
• Class discussions
• Oral and written questioning
• Incursion/guest speakers

Out of class activities:
• Readings
• Case studies
• Role plays
• Observations
• Excursions
• Self quiz/knowledge-based tests/questionnaires


Teaching Schedule

Week One: The agencies of the Justice system and their inter-relatedness

Week Two: Investigative processes: an overview of purposes

Week Three: Investigative functions for agencies operating in Victoria jurisdictional function and limitations

Week Four: Contemporary policing issues - Issue of instructions of final assessment tasks and discussions of criteria

Week Five: Adjudicative processes and stakeholders- internal and external
Formative assessment 1- Quiz

Week Six: Key principles of Justice

Week Seven: Specialist courts- Koori court

Week Eight: Specialist courts-Drug courts

Week Nine: Sentencing principles for courts

Week Ten: Powers of Tribunals
Formative assessment 2- Quiz

Week Eleven: Job roles and their interrelationships

Week Twelve: Case studies-the process of a case-policing

Week Thirteen: Case studies-court processes

Week Fourteen: Case Studies-Corrections

Week Fifteen: Subject review

Week Sixteen: Summative assessment 1- exam

Week 17: Revision

Week 18: Summative assessment 2 – Written assessment


The teaching schedule outlined above is subject to change depending on your assimilation of knowledge and skills of the subject matter, and on unforeseen circumstances.

As a student you need to demonstrate both knowledge and practical skills relevant to the course content within the classroom environment. Engagement with educators and other students is critical to you maximizing learning opportunities and achieving satisfactory results. Participation in classroom discussion and activities will allow educators to apply observational assessment during role-plays, exercises and assignments and provide you with feedback.


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

Assessments may incorporate a variety of methods including role-plays, case studies, observations, lectures, tutorials, class discussion, audio-visual presentations, excursions, and interaction with individuals and/or groups within the criminal justice system.

 

 


Assessment Tasks

All assessment tasks are based on the requirements of the performance criteria, range statements and the assessment guidelines of the course.

Formative assessments 1 and 2 will consist of quizzes on the performance criteria of the applicable elements.
Students will have the opportunity to receive feedback and make adjustments/improvements to the areas they are not competent in as a form of ongoing monitoring of their progress.

Summative assessment 1 (graded) will constitute 50% of the total grade. This assessment task comprises a quiz of forty multi-choice questions, and ten written answers.

Summative assessment 2 (graded) will constitute 50% of the final grade and will be based on a prescribed topic related to the criminal justice system.

Comprehensive assessment outlines will be issued and discussed with students in class/and or through Blackboard in Week 2 of the course


Assessment Matrix

The assessments have been designed to cover all Learning Outcomes and will be graded in accordance with RMIT’s Mark Table which is as follows:

CHD=Competent with High Distinction
CDI=Competent with Distinction
CC=Competent with Credit
CAG=Competency Achieved - Graded
NYC=Not Yet Competent
DNS=Did not Submit for Assessment

Grades which apply to course delivered in accordance with competency-based assessment (not-graded)

CA=Competency Achieved
NYC=Not Yet Competent
DNS=Did Not Submit For Assessment

Other Information

All written work must adhere to the following criteria:
1. Written reports, research projects or essays are to demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and familiarity with the prescribed or negotiated topics
2. It is expected that all submitted work will be well written, with clear and consistent grammar, expression and punctuation. It must be well structured and cogently address the issues raised in the chosen topic in a logical, ordered and organised manner
3. The concepts must be well defined and demonstrate a critical analysis of the chosen topic
4. Written submissions must demonstrate appropriate preparation, reading and research
5. In-text references must follow the APA style of referencing. In addition, you must provide a bibliography with correct and comprehensive details in relation to texts, articles, research reports and other sources that you have used
6. Double or 1.5 spacing and a font size of 10-12 must be used in either Arial or Times Roman. Do not submit double paged assessments.

Extensions
In accordance with RMIT policy, you may apply for an extension where there have been unexpected or extenuating circumstances, e.g.
• Hospital admission, serious injury, severe asthma, severe anxiety or depression. This does not include minor illness such as a cold, period pain or hay fever.
• Loss or bereavement – e.g. death of a close family member, family/relationship breakdown.
• Hardship/trauma – e.g. victim of crime, sudden loss of income or employment, severe disruption to domestic arrangements.
You must keep a copy of their assessment until the graded submission has been returned or marks have been posted.

All email communications will be sent to your RMIT student email address.

Applying for an Extension
Extension of time for assessment tasks may be granted where circumstances beyond your control prevent submission by the published due date. An application for extension of time must be lodged with your tutor or the course coordinator as early as possible, and no later than one working day before the due date for submission.
You can apply for extension using the University’s Extension Application Form – http://mams.rmit.edu.au/seca86tti4g4z.pdf – or by emailing your course coordinator or tutor directly.
An extension of up to seven calendar days may be granted if good reason can be demonstrated. Include supporting evidence (such as medical certificates) with your application.
Extensions beyond seven calendar days cannot be granted by course coordinators, tutors or the School. To apply for an extension of time greater than seven calendar days you must lodge an application for Special Consideration.

Applying for Special Consideration
If you are seeking an extension of more than seven calendar days (from the original due date) you must lodge an Application for Special Consideration form, preferably prior to, but no later than two working days after the official due date. Late applications will only be accepted in exceptional circumstances. For information about Special Consideration and how to apply, see: http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration

Penalties for Late Submission
If you have not been granted an extension or special consideration, late submission will be penalised as follows:
Assessment tasks submitted after the due date of submission shall receive a penalty of five per cent of the grades available for that assessment per day for each working day late.
No assessment task shall be accepted more than three weeks after the due date.

Assessment Appeals
If you believe your assessment result or final result is wrong please contact the course coordinator and provide the reason why you think your result is incorrect. Valid reasons for seeking a review of results include:
• You believe an error has occurred in the calculation of the grade; or,

• You believe the assessment did not comply with criteria published in the Course Guide; or,

• You believe the assessment did not comply with University Policies on Assessment (i.e. an error in process has occurred).

• Full details of the procedure (including appeals procedure) can be located at this RMIT site: http://www.rmit.edu.au/policies/academic#assessment

Academic Integrity
Academic integrity means honesty and responsibility in scholarship through respecting the work of others whilst having the freedom to build new insights, new knowledge and ideas. RMIT University upholds the values of academic integrity as fundamental to the scholarship undertaken by all members of its community. Whenever you refer to another person’s research or ideas (either by directly quoting or paraphrasing them) you must acknowledge your source.
If you are even in doubt about how to properly cite a reference, consult your lecturer or the academic integrity website: http://www.rmit.edu.au/academicintegrity
The RMIT library provides tools to assist with your referencing http://www.rmit.edu.au/library/info-trek/referencing

Plagiarism and Collusion
Plagiarism and collusion constitute extremely serious academic misconduct, and are forms of cheating. You are reminded that cheating, whether by fabrication, falsification of data, or plagiarism, is an offence subject to University disciplinary procedures. Plagiarism is the presentation of the work, idea or creation of another person as though it is your own. It is a form of cheating and is a very serious academic offence that may lead to expulsion from the University. Plagiarised material can be drawn from, and presented in, written, graphic and visual form, including electronic data, and oral presentations. Plagiarism occurs when the origin of the material used is not appropriately cited. Plagiarism is not acceptable.

Examples of plagiarism include:
• Copying sentences or paragraphs word-for-word from one or more sources, whether published or unpublished, which could include but is not limited to books, journals, reports, theses, websites, conference papers, course notes, etc. without proper citation;
• Closely paraphrasing sentences, paragraphs, ideas or themes without proper citation;
• Piecing together text from one or more sources and adding only linking sentences;
• Copying or submitting whole or parts of computer files without acknowledging their source;
• Copying designs or works of art and submitting them as your original work;
• Copying a whole or any part of another student’s work; and
• Submitting work as your own that someone else has done for you.
• Enabling Plagiarism: the act of assisting or allowing another person to plagiarise or to copy your own work is also an offence.
For further information, please see the RMIT Plagiarism Policy – http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=sg4yfqzod48g1 – and the RMIT Student Discipline Statute and Regulations - http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=11jgnnjgg70y

Plagiarism Software
The originality verification software Turnitin may be used in this course. For details, see: http://www.turnitin.com

Course Overview: Access Course Overview