Course Title: Implement the Mediation Process in a Justice Environment

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2011

Course Code: HWSS5408

Course Title: Implement the Mediation Process in a Justice Environment

School: 365T Global Studies, Soc Sci & Plng

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6077 - Advanced Diploma of Justice

Course Contact : Lynda White

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 99254512

Course Contact Email:lynda.white@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 60

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

VBQU372 Apply Oral & Written Communication Skills in a Justice Environment

Course Description

This course covers the competency required to communicate and develop skills required for the mediation process and to assist clients in their roles and responsibilities in the mediation process


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

VBQU373 Implement the Mediation Process in a Justice Environment

Element:

1. Analyse the skills required for effective communication in a justice environment

Performance Criteria:

1.1 The process for effective communication is identified and analysed.
1.2 The barriers to effective communication are identified.
1.3 The role of communication in conflict resolution is outlined and its applications in the justice environment is analysed.
1.4 The steps for effective listening are outlined.
1.5 Active listening styles are identified and applied in a variety of justice environment.
1.6 Socio cultural factors impacting on communication pathways are analysed.

Element:

2. Identify, interpret and respond to non-verbal communication in a criminal justice environment

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Socio cultural factors which can alter the meaning of non verbal communication are analysed.
2.2 The effects of alcohol, drugs and mental illness are examined and appropriate responses to observation are
2.3 Communication styles in justice environmental contexts are examined and analysed to identify how it affects interpretation of non verbal communication in the criminal justice environment.

Element:

3. Analyse the causes, key indicators, stages and approaches to conflict and conflict resolution in a criminal justice environment

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Concepts of conflict are outlined, and the causes and triggers of conflict are examined.
3.2 The key indicators and stages of conflict are identified.
3.3 An analysis is undertaken to differentiate between the application of competitive and cooperative approach to conflict resolution.

Element:

4. Determine the nature of a dispute

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Parties to dispute are interviewed separately to determine their positions in relation to the dispute.
4.2 Positions of parties to dispute are documented and verification of these positions is undertaken.
4.3 Boundaries for allowable options in dispute are determined.

Element:

5. Inform clients on the mediation process

Performance Criteria:

5.1 Accurate, timely and relevant information is provided about the mediation processes available.
5.2 Co-mediation needs are identified.
5.3 Co-mediation roles are clarified and used according to agency guidelines.
5.4 Parties’ understanding of the sequential steps of mediation is verified.
5.5 Parties are clear on own, mediator and the agency role.

Element:

6. Clarify presented information on the dispute

Performance Criteria:

6.1 The issues presented prior to the mediation are accurately and concisely analysed to assess the most suitable case management options.
6.2 The need to seek advice on the legal or factual complexity of the matter is clarified.
6.3 Court orders are noted, potential risks are identified and responses formulated using relevant knowledge of safety procedures.

Element:

7. Prepare for mediation

Performance Criteria:

7.1 Parties to mediation and in dispute are identified.
7.2 Guidelines and procedures are accessed to guide dispute resolution.
7.3 Parties to dispute are informed of mediation process to be followed.
7.4 Agreement is gained for mediation process to be used to resolve dispute.

Element:

8. Determine organisational requirements for mediation

Performance Criteria:

8.1 Needs in relation to dispute resolution within the organisation are determined.
8.2 History of disputes and dispute resolution within the organisation, including triggers for disputes, are researched and collated.
8.3 Key stakeholders are identified and consulted to determine requirements related to mediation.
8.4 Research is undertaken into models and systems for mediation and documented.

Element:

9. Assist clients to provide their information

Performance Criteria:

9.1 Specialist communication skills are used to facilitate client’s provision of information.
9.2 Documented factual information is clarified.
9.3 Clients are assisted to consider what relevant information is.


Learning Outcomes


See Elements


Details of Learning Activities

Students will participate in a variety of teaching methods including: lectures, tutorials, class discussion, role-plays, seminar presentations, group/individual work on projects, audio-visual presentations, field excursions where applicable, on site visits, and interaction with individuals and groups within the criminal justice area


Teaching Schedule

Week One: Effective Communication in Justice

Week Two: Non-verbal Communication

Week Three: Cross-Cultural Communication

Week Four: Causes of Conflict and Resolving Disputes

Week Five: Interviewing and Record-Keeping

Week Six: The ‘Rules’ of Mediation 

Week Seven: Basics of Negotiation

Week Eight: Problems in Mediation

Week Nine: Final rehearsals of role plays

Week Ten: Semester Break-no classes 

Week Eleven: Presentations

Week Twelve: Presentations

Week Thirteen: Presentations

Week Fourteen Exam Revision/Report Writing Workshop

Week Fifteen: Exam

Week Sixteen: Overview and Evaluation-to be conducted on the Learning Hub (no class)


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

The major mode of assessment will be by participation in a role play. Students will also be expected to participate in simulated exercises and write a reflective report. In addition there will be an end of semester examination containing questions on essential knowledge related to mediation and communication skills.


Assessment Tasks

1. Participation in group activities

2. Role play

2. Written report

3. Exam

Students will be provided a detailed handout of each of the above assessments that includes the assessment outline, the assessment criteria and the due date by the second week of the semester.


Assessment Matrix

The assessment has been designed to cover all Learning Outcomes and will be graded in accordance with RMIT’s Mark Table 7 which is as follows:
HD 80-100, DI 70-79, CR 60-69, PA 50-59, NN 0-49

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

Other Information

Assessment Deadlines
Any due date for any assignment is to be considered a deadline. Students can submit work at any time prior to the submission date, but it must be into the Administration office by close of business of the day the submission is due.
Extensions will not be granted by teachers or Administrative staff.
In accordance with RMIT policy, students may apply for an extension where there have been unexpected or extenuating circumstances, e.g.
a) 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.
b) Loss or bereavement – e.g. death of a close family member, family/relationship breakdown.
c) Hardship/trauma – e.g. victim of crime, sudden loss of income or employment, severe disruption to domestic arrangements.

Students requiring extensions for 7 calendar days or less (from the original due date) must complete and lodge an Application for Extension of Submittable Work (7 Calendar Days or less) form and lodge it with the Program Coordinator/ Program Manager. The application must be lodged no later than one working day before the official due date. The student will be notified within no more than 2 working days of the date of lodgment as to whether the extension has been granted.

Students seeking an extension of more than 7 calendar days (from the original due date) must lodge an Application for Special Consideration form under the provisions of the Special Consideration Policy, preferably prior to, but no later than 2 working days after the official due date.

Assignments submitted late without approval of an extension will not be accepted or graded.

Students must keep a copy of their paper until the graded essay has been returned or marks have been posted.
Plagiarism is the presentation of the work, idea or creation of another person, without appropriate referencing as though it is one’s own. Plagiarism is not acceptable. 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.

You must acknowledge the use of another person’s work or ideas. If texts or ideas are reproduced they are to be clearly acknowledged in one of the conventional ways, such as by use of quotation marks, indentation for longer passages and clear citation of the source. Failure to separate one’s own contribution from that of another constitutes plagiarism – a form of cheating and may result in outright failure. Random checks will be made on students’ work.

Other Information: All email communications will be sent to your RMIT email address.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview