Course Title: Apply criminal law within justice environments

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2017

Course Code: JUST5719

Course Title: Apply criminal law within justice environments

School: 365T Global, Urban and Social Studies

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5315 - Diploma of 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

Peter Tottle

Email: Peter.Tottle@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 80

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

Successful completion of, or demonstrated equivalence to, the following units of competency:

VU20868 Apply foundation legal principles
VU20869 Work within the criminal justice system
VU20870 Apply writing and presentation skills within a justice environment
VU20871 Support the management of adult offenders within the Victorian correctional framework
PSPOHS401B Implement workplace safety procedures and programs
PSPETHC401A Uphold and support the values and principles of public service

And ONE of the following electives:

VU20867 Support policing processes within justice environment contexts
CHCCHILD401B Identify and respond to children and young people at risk
 

Course Description

In this course you will develop the skills and knowledge required to apply aspects of criminal law within a justice range of justice settings.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

VU20861 Apply criminal law within justice environments

Element:

1. Examine the concept of crime

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Concept of crime is delineated 1.2 Elements of crime and the factors affecting those elements are examined and evaluated

Element:

2. Investigate defences to crime

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Differences between rebuttable and irrebuttable presumptions are identified and analysed 2.2 General defences to crime are analysed, evaluated and applied to practice in justice environment/s

Element:

3. Investigate elements and defences of crime against persons

Performance Criteria:

3.1  Elements and defences of criminal assault and sexual offences and the factors affecting them are examined 3.2  Law relating to family violence are examined, evaluated and applied to practice 3.3  Law relating to stalking and its applicability to issues of family violence are examined and applied to practice

Element:

4. Investigate the concept of culpability

Performance Criteria:

4.1  Culpability of person involved in a crime is analysed, evaluated and applied 4.2  Law regarding 'attempt' in committing crime is examined and applied 4.3  Law of theft and its associate offences is examined and applied

Element:

5. Apply liability of road safety laws and drug offences within justice environments

Performance Criteria:

5.1 Duty of care and the various requirements of the road safety laws applicable to drivers in Victoria are analysed and practised 5.2 Basic drug laws of possession, use and trafficking in Victoria are identified and applied to practice 5.3 Strict liability offences and the relevant case law applicable to those offences are identified and evaluated for application to practice


Learning Outcomes


On completion of the course, you will be able to:
• Provide the effective application of judicial policies, procedures and processes to meet job role requirements within justice environments
• Provide the knowledge and the effective application of relevant aspects of criminal law and Victorian legislation governing evidence required to prove offences and satisfy judicial requirements
• Provide the knowledge of relevant Federal, State and local legislative, regulatory and statutory requirements and provisions, including rules and admissibility of evidence


Details of Learning Activities

You will participate in a variety of learning activities (in class and out of class). These may include the following;
• class exercises to review discussions/lectures
• practical demonstrations
• analysis/critique of relevant reading material
• group projects
• peer learning
• guest lecture/presentation
• peer teaching and class presentations
• group discussion
• research
• independent project based work
• group activities/projects
• ’workshopping’ of student projects including peer/lecturer feedback


Teaching Schedule

Session 1 - Orientation & Welcome
- Introduction to Course Guide
- Protocols & Behaviours
- Recommended Textbooks / Authorised websites
- Reading material
- Types of law/Crime
- The concept of crime
- Aims of Criminal Law

Session 2 - The elements of crime
• Physical & mental elements
• Rebuttable & irrebuttable presumptions

Session 3 - The elements of crime
• Culpability
• Inchoate Crimes

Session 4 – Workshop - Summative Assessment 1

Session 5 - General Defences to Crime
• Elements towards mitigation and other pleas
• Alibi / Justification defences

Session 6 - Assault
• Serious assault
• Indecent assault
• Use of force – assault workshop
• Attempts / Defences

Session 7 - Theft
• Associated matters
• Attempts / Defences

Session 8 – Robbery
• Armed Robbery
• Attempts / Defences

Session 9 - Burglary
• Aggravated burglary
• Attempts / Defences
Summative Assessment 1 Due

Session 10 – Deception
• Obtaining property by deception
• Obtaining financial advantage by deception
• Attempts / Defences

Session 11 - Sexual Offences
• Rape
• Attempts / Defences

Session 12 - Family Violence
• Stalking
• Offences
• Victim impact statement
• Attempts / Defences

Session 13 - Drugs Offences
• Trafficking
• Possession
• Use

Session 14 - Road Safety Offences
• Duty of care
• Culpable driving
• Dangerous driving
• Careless driving
• Strict Liability Offences

Session 15 - Summative Assessment 2 - Oral Presentation Pt 1

Session 16 - Summative Assessment 2 - Oral Presentation Pt 2

Session 17 - Private Study / Revision

Session 18 - Summative Assessment 3 – Examination


NOTE: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability of speakers and resources.

Attendance
It is strongly advised that you attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain competency.


You are expected to attend all scheduled classes and some classes will have sessions that are compulsory to attend (please see individual course guides). If you cannot attend a class you should advise your RMIT Educator, as RMIT monitors all student attendance.


As a student, competency is demonstrated through both knowledge and practical skills relevant to the course content and within the classroom environment. Engagement with educators and other students is critical to you maximising 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.


Absence from class can seriously limit your ability to pass or achieve good results. You may be asked to attend a meeting to explain more than three absences from a subject and enter into a negotiated plan of action with your Educator. This meeting is recommended as an early intervention approach that may possibly identify any underlying issues which may be affecting your attendance and identify support that RMIT may be able to give you.


Clearly, non-attendance at an assessment will result in failure of that assessment. If your academic progress is reviewed, a good class attendance may be helpful in showing evidence of your commitment to your studies in Justice.

 

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

 

All readings and other resources necessary for this course will be available through Blackboard.

GUSS Skills Central (http://gussskillscentral.edu.au/) is a site developed specifically for students in the School of Global, Urban and Social Studies at RMIT. It provides links to a range of resources for supporting student work on assessments and negotiating university studies more generally.


PowerPoints may be provided for the lectures AFTER the class; however these are not a replacement for attending lectures. Lectures may have additional information, activities or visual material, which will not be available through Blackboard.


It is essential that you access the Blackboard site at least once a week, as announcements and emails are considered an effective means of communication between educators and students.

werPoint’s for the lectures will generally be made available AFTER the class workshop; however these are not a replacement for attending workshops. Workshops may have additional information, activities or visual material, which will not be available through blackboard.

It is essential that you access the Blackboard site at least once a week, as announcements and emails are considered an effective means of communication between educators and students.


Overview of Assessment

Assessments may incorporate a variety of methods including observations, lectures, tutorials, class discussion, reports, and audio-visual presentations.

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or the Disability Liaison Unit if you would like to find out more.

A student charter http://www.rmit.edu.au/about/studentcharter summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teachers.

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions which are available for review online: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=c15i3ciaq8ca


Assessment Tasks

 

Summative Assessment 1 - Written report (1500 words)


- Students are required to provide evidence through a 1500 word research project and a case scenario of effective application of judicial policies, procedures and processes of law.
- Students are required to demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skill described in the range statement applicable to the relevant legislative requirement that underpin the performance of the unit.
- The project will consist of the following
o The elements and defences to crime
o Crime and associated judicial processes and procedures
o Strict liability offences
- This task counts towards 40% of the overall grade for the semester

Summative Assessment 2 – Oral Presentation & Report


- Students are required to provide evidence through an oral presentation, using visual aids such as PowerPoint, and a written report, addressing a case scenario that explains the effective application of judicial policies, procedures and processes of law to an actual reported crime
- Students are required to identify and explain a crime that was reported in local media (either newspaper or news agency reporting) of a crime that occurred in their local area
- The project will consist of the following
o PowerPoint presentation that highlights the elements and defences to the crime
o Oral presentation that addresses the reported crime
o Written report that addresses the reported crime
- This task counts towards 20% of the overall grade for the semester

Summative Assessment 3 – Examination


  • Students are required to successfully complete an examination relating to materials presented during formal lectures on relevant legislation, judicial policies, procedures and processes.
    - This examination will consist of Multiple Choice, True & False; Yes & No questions and several short answer questions.
    - This task counts towards 40% of the overall grade for the semester.

**Students are reminded that to prove competency in this subject, they must satisfactorily prove competence in ALL assessment tasks.


Assessment Matrix


This is available via MyRMIT/Studies


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
Assessment Deadlines

Any due date for any assignment is to be considered a deadline. You can submit work at any time prior to the submission date, but it must be into the Administration office by close of business (5pm) of the day the submission is due.

Assessment Format

As a student of the Justice VE program, it is expected that you adhere to the following criteria regarding essays/research/reports;
1. For ADVANCED DIPLOMA each written assessment task/s – up to 2500 words, 6 academic references and ONE in-text citation per paragraph.
2. A paragraph is usually between 200 – 250 words.
3. A sentence is usually between 20 - 25 words.
4. American Psychological Association (APA) Referencing Style is the EXPECTED referencing style for the school of Criminal Justice (VE).
5. We highly recommend that all students download a copy of the APA Referencing Guide which is available on the Blackboard or purchase a Pocket Guide to APA style from the campus bookshop.
6. APA Referencing system is to be used and all in-text citations must be recorded according to APA standards.
7. An academic reference is a scholarly source (journal articles that are peer reviewed, a published book, an approved government or organisation website etc.).
8. Written reports, research projects or essays are to demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and familiarity with the prescribed or negotiated topics
9. 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 address the issues raised in the chosen topic in a logical ordered and organised manner.
10. Written submissions must demonstrate appropriate preparation, reading and research.
11. 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.
12. All assignments to be submitted via the Drop Box (Building 37, level 2) and submitted via email to the Advanced Diploma email address to verify submission justice.ve.assignments@rmit.edu.au. Assessments must be submitted by 5pm (close of business).
13. Written assessments will also be submitted with a Turnitin Report attached (as instructed by your Educator).

Other Information


Please refer to the RMIT student page for extensive information about study support, assessment, extensions, appeals and a range of other matters: rmit.edu.au/students.


Cover Sheet for Submissions

You must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work, including online submissions. This signed sheet acknowledges that you are aware of implications of plagiarism.
Please refer to the following link for on-line submission statements;
http://www1.rmit.edu.au/teaching/technology/esubmission

Cover sheets do NOT form part of your word limit for written assessment tasks.

Assignment Submissions:
The submission of assessments on the due date is the responsibility solely of the student. Students should not leave assignment preparation until the last minute and must plan their workloads so as to be able to meet advertised or notified deadlines.
If you have not been granted an extension or special consideration, you need to submit any work that has been completed on the due date.
The penalty for assignments submitted late will be 10% of the maximum mark per day late or part thereof.
Weekends and holidays will attract the same penalty as weekdays.
Assignments that are late by 7 days or more will not be marked and will be awarded zero.


Attendance

It is strongly advised that you attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency.


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. Speak with your teacher or course coordinator regarding applying for an extension.


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://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration


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://www1.rmit.edu.au/library/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:
1. 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;
2. Closely paraphrasing sentences, paragraphs, ideas or themes without proper citation;
3. Piecing together text from one or more sources and adding only linking sentences;
4. Copying or submitting whole or parts of computer files without acknowledging their source;
5. Copying designs or works of art and submitting them as your original work;
6. Copying a whole or any part of another student's work; and
7. Submitting work as your own that someone else has done for you.
8. 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 Conduct Regulations – http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=r7a7an6qug93

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

Complaints Procedure:
RMIT University is committed to providing a harmonious study and work environment for all students and staff. The University recognises your right to raise concerns about academic, administrative or support services without recrimination and has policies and procedures to assist in the resolution of complaints.
Most issues are resolved at the local level and you are encouraged to take steps to resolve your issue locally. The student complaint procedure details steps to take if your problem is not resolved or you believe the response you received is unreasonable.

Student Complaints Policy: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/policies/studentcomplaintspolicy
Student complaints Procedure: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=i1lexipvjt22
Student Complaints Form: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/v4ujvmyojugxz.pdf

Course Overview: Access Course Overview