Course Title: Work with culturally diverse clients within justice environments

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2014

Course Code: JUST5721

Course Title: Work with culturally diverse clients within justice environments

School: 365T Global, Urban & 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

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:

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 develop effective strategies for working with culturally diverse clients in a justice environment. It covers researching causes and effects of diversity and developing strategies to foster culturally inclusive practice within justice environments.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

VU20863 Work with culturally diverse clients within justice environments

Element:

1.Review concepts of culture and of cultural diversity

Performance Criteria:

1.1Concepts of culture and cultural identity are examined
1.2Processes that originate, maintain and reinforce cultural identity are extrapolated
1.3Development of Australian cultural identity is researched and debated
1.4Ways in which cultural differences can create tensions between individuals and groups are investigated
1.5Ways in which individuals, groups, society and institutions may precipitate cultural prejudice and discrimination in Australia are extrapolated

Element:

2.Research the historical and contemporary contexts of culture and cultural groups in Australia

Performance Criteria:

2.1Historical and contemporary contexts of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders in Australian society are examined
2.2Historical and contemporary contexts of immigration and migrants are examined
2.3Historical and contemporary contexts of sub-groups, including those based around sexual /relationship diversity, youth, aging and ability, are examined

Element:

3.Develop strategies for culturally inclusive practice in a justice environment

Performance Criteria:

3.1Major legal and justice issues relevant to cultural groups are identified and debated
3.2Research, theories, debates and models relevant to culturally inclusive practice are investigated and assessed to inform own practice
3.3Definitions of cultural awareness, respect, cultural competence and security are delineated and evaluated against own responses and organisational requirements
3.4Legislation and provisions, resources and services and that enable effective approaches to diverse clients are identified and assessed
3.5Strategies are practiced and reviewed in consultation with relevant people and organisational requirements


Learning Outcomes


On completion of the course, you will be able to:
• Develop, practice and review culturally aware, respectful and competent strategies for working with a range of clients from culturally diverse backgrounds
• Provide evidence of knowledge of relevant legislation, provisions and regulatory requirements
• Provide evidence of knowledge of theories, debates and models about cultural diversity and inclusion that inform contemporary practice and process


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
• Group work
• Oral and written questioning

Out of class activities:
• Readings
• Interviews
• Oral and written questioning
• Case studies
• Role plays
• Observations
• Audio/visual presentations


Teaching Schedule

Week One: Overview of course and assessments

Week Two: Induction into Cultural Diversity and Australian cultural identity

Week Three: Major legal and Justice issues and legislations relevant to cultural groups are identified

Week Four: Continuation of legal justice issues and legislation

Week Five: Oral presentation on a contemporary culturally diverse issue

Week Six: Theory and debates on Family Systems theory

Week Seven: Cultural prejudices and discrimination in Australia

Week Eight: Historical and contemporary contexts of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders in Australia/ Historical and contemporary contexts of immigration and migrants

Week Nine: Historical and contemporary contexts of sub-groups i.e. youth, aging, ability, sexuality

Week Ten: Multiculturalism v. Monoculture

Week Eleven: Individualistic and Collectivist theories

Week Twelve: Presentation from an interview with a culturally and linguistically diverse person

Week Thirteen: Cultural Awareness: cultural competence evaluated against own responses

Week Fourteen: Interpreting strategies are practices

Week Fifteen: Current debates on refugee policies

Week Sixteen: Causes and drivers to radicalization

Week Seventeen: Revision for assignment

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

Attendance in this VET Justice Course is to help you develop a self-directed, professional attitude and to maximize your educational vocational opportunities and practical skills. Regular class attendance provides fundamental educational value and offers the most effective means for you to gain knowledge and skills of the concepts of the justice environment. Lack of regular attendance and participation may compromise your performance in the course and achieving the final outcome.


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

There is no prescribed text for this course. All required readings and case studies will be available either:
•Via My RMIT/Studies Blackboard
•Handed out in class as a hard copy
•Accessible by CD/DVD
•Via the internet/assigned website
•Accessible via the RMIT Library


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

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


Assessment Tasks

A range of formative assessment tasks will be set throughout the semester. It is expected that the student will prove competent in these assessments, and will be given progressive feedback as to the student’s progress.

In order for students to prove competence in this subject, all assessment tasks must be satisfactorily completed in a timely manner.

Formative Assessments:
These will include the following:

One group presentation on a contemporary issue related to culture and diversity

Weekly knowledge presentations on assigned research topics related to culture and diversity

Summative Assessments:
These will include the following:
• Interview and presentation of culturally diverse person - 50%
• Essay on selected topic related to culture and diversity - 50%


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

Course Overview: Access Course Overview