Course Title: Identify and respond to client complex issues within a criminal justice environment
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2016
Course Code: JUST5709
Course Title: Identify and respond to client complex issues within a criminal justice environment
School: 365T Global, Urban and Social Studies
Campus: City Campus
Program: C6124 - Advanced 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
Melissa Brown
E: melissa.brown@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
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:
CHCAOD402B Work effectively in the alcohol and other drugs sector
LGACOM406A Investigate alleged breaches of legislation and prepare documentation
Course Description
In this course you will develop the skills and knowledge required to recognise, respond and refer clients presenting with a range of complex issues within justice contexts.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
VU20857 Identify and respond to client complex issues within a criminal justice environment |
Element: |
1. Examine complex issues faced by clients presenting for justice services |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Complex psychological issues and associated behaviours that impact on youth and adult offenders and other clients presenting for justice services are identified and delineated. |
Element: |
2. Respond to client complex issues within justice environments |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Models and scholarly debates are researched to inform selection and application of response strategies that address values, attitudes, beliefs and stigmas about working with client complex issues. |
Element: |
3. Monitor and review response strategies |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Monitor and review response strategies. |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of the course, you will be able to:
• Recognise and respond to client complex issues according to organisational and legislative requirements
• Monitor and review response strategies to inform future practice
• Provide knowledge of current theories, approaches, debates and practices about effective responses to client complex issues in justice contexts
• Provide knowledge of relevant legislative and statutory requirements
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
Teaching Schedule
Week One:
Orientation to complex issues in criminal justice, including course guide and assessments.
Theoretical approaches
Psychopathology
Week Two:
Exploration and discussion on mood disorders including informing theories, indicators, responses, services, referrals, case management, safety planning, treatment plans, medications, outcomes from treatment, relevant professionals, and DSM V classification
In class group presentation of readings (SUMMATIVE)
Week Three:
Exploration and discussion on anxiety disorders and phobias including informing theories, indicators, responses, services, referrals, case management, safety planning, treatment plans, medications, outcomes from treatment, relevant professionals, and DSM V classification
In class group presentation of readings (SUMMATIVE)
Week Four:
Exploration and discussion on personality disorders including informing theories, indicators, responses, services, referrals, case management, safety planning, treatment plans, medications, outcomes from treatment, relevant professionals, and DSM V classification
In class group presentation of readings (SUMMATIVE)
Week Five:
Exploration and discussion on substance related disorders including informing theories, drugs associated, addiction and DSM V classification
In class group presentation of readings (SUMMATIVE)
Week Six:
Exploration and discussion on schizophrenia including informing theories, indicators, responses, services, referrals, case management, safety planning, treatment plans, medications, outcomes from treatment, relevant professionals, and DSM V classification
In class group presentation of readings (SUMMATIVE)
Week Seven:
Suicide and self harm
In class group presentation of readings (SUMMATIVE)
Week Eight:
Exploration and discussion on dissociative disorders and trauma including informing theories, indicators, responses, services, referrals, case management, safety planning, treatment plans, medications, outcomes from treatment, relevant professionals, and DSM V classification
In class group presentation of readings (SUMMATIVE)
Mid semester break
Week Nine:
Client assessments, MSE and report writing
In class group presentation of readings (SUMMATIVE)
Week Ten:
Legal and ethical issues, treatment orders and legislation
In class group presentation of readings (SUMMATIVE)
Week Eleven:
Mental health strategies in justice
In class group presentation of readings (SUMMATIVE)
Week Twelve:
CSI Camp
Week Thirteen:
Professional practice and discourse, referrals and client progress
In class group presentation of readings (SUMMATIVE)
Week Fourteen:
Self care strategies and stress management
In class group presentation of readings (SUMMATIVE)
Week Fifteen:
TBC Guest speaker – Interviews, boundaries and strategies
In class group presentation of readings (SUMMATIVE)
Week Sixteen:
TBC Guest speaker – Interviews, boundaries and strategies
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 the competency.
We expect that students engage in learning through a combination of lectures, individual reading and study, meaningful feedback on written work and structured activities that encourage critical thinking and the development of discipline specific knowledge and practical skills.
Students are active participants and this course prioritises learning by doing. It is essential that students take ownership of their studies and work on developing skills as independent learners in time allocated away from lectures and class time.
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 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.
You will be required to sign an attendance sheet and if you are absent from class, it is your responsibility to advise your educator and complete any written tasks that may have been allocated.
Students are required to carefully plan and use their time productively and submit assessments as required. All assessments tasks should be researched and drafted well in advance of the set submission dates.
The course will use blended learning techniques, including; lectures, discussions, activities in class and learner directed activities supported by a range of resources available in class and on Blackboard system
Feedback
You will receive verbal and written feedback on your work. This feedback also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects. Student feedback at RMIT
Student Progress
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential. Student progress policy
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
NONE |
References
There is no prescribed text for this course. All required readings and case studies will be available either: |
Other Resources
Any related PowerPoint’s for the lectures will generally be made available 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 regularly, as announcements and emails are considered an effective means of communication between educators and students.
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.
Overview of Assessment
Assessments may incorporate a variety of methods including role plays, observations, lectures, tutorials, class discussion, reports, group/individual training workshops, and audio-visual presentations.
Assessment Tasks
All assessment tasks are based on the requirements of the performance criteria, range statements and the assessment guidelines of the course and include:
The assessable tasks are as follows:
Formative Assessments: In class discussions and group work on class topics
Summative Assessment Task One: Group presentations weekly on subject readings from Weeks 2-16. This assessment task is worth 25% of your total final grade.
Summative Assessment Task Two; a 2000 word PSYCHOSOCIAL ASSESSMENT REPORT regarding a case study of a client that will be provided in class. This assessment task is worth 50% of your total final grade.
Summative Assessment Task Three: a 800-1000 word written evaluation of a prison program.This assessment task is worth 25% of your total final grade.
**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;
- For an ADVANCED DIPLOMA written assessment task/s – no less than 2500 words, 5 academic references and ONE in-text citation per paragraph.
- A paragraph is usually between 200 – 250 words.
- A sentence is usually between 20 - 25 words.
- American Psychological Association (APA) Referencing Style is the EXPECTED referencing style for the school of Criminal Justice (VE).
- 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.
- APA Referencing system is to be used and all in-text citations must be recorded according to APA standards.
- An academic reference is a scholarly source (journal articles that are peer reviewed, a published book, an approved government or organisation website etc).
- Written reports, research projects or essays are to demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and familiarity with the prescribed or negotiated topics
- 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.
- Written submissions must demonstrate appropriate preparation, reading and research.
- 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.
- 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 (advdipjusticeassignments@rmit.edu.au). Assessments must be submitted by 5pm (close of business).
- 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 work submitted in hardcopy. For every piece of work submitted online you will complete an e-Declaration. The signed cover sheet or e-Declaration acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications.
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 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
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:
a) You believe an error has occurred in the calculation of the grade; or,
b) You believe the assessment did not comply with criteria published in the Course Guide; or,
c) 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://www1.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://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:
- 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 (unresolved)– 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