Course Title: Introduction to Criminal Justice System
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2010
Course Code: LAW5161
Course Title: Introduction to Criminal Justice System
School: 365T Global Studies, Soc Sci & Plng
Campus: City Campus
Program: C6077 - Advanced Diploma of Justice
Course Contact : Patrick Prescott
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 99254512
Course Contact Email:patrick.prescott@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Irene Pagliarella 99254581
Nominal Hours: 68
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
There are no pre-requisites for this course.
Course Description
The purpose of this course is to enable students to develop a working knowledge of the criminal justice system
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
VBQM389 Introduction to Criminal Justice System |
Learning Outcomes
See Elements.
Details of Learning Activities
Students will participate in a variety of teaching methods including: lectures, tutorials, class discussion, 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
Note: In 2010 Criminal Justice Systems will be taught as an intensive, with several of the sessions running in the early weeks of Semester. It is therefore vital that all students attend Orientation classes and Orientation Camp. Students are also expected to familiarise themselves with the on-line Learning Hub, in particular the Criminal Justice Systems Blackboard Unit and to check their RMIT email account each day.
Session One: Introduction to CJS .
Session Two: The Role of the Courts-walking tour
Session Three: Issues in Policing
Session Four: Issues in Correction
Session Five: The Role of Lawyers
Session Six: Corruption and the CJS
Session Seven: Revision
Session Eight: Old Melbourne Gaol Visits
Session Nine: Moot Court Exercise at Camp
Session Ten: Sentencing, Therapeutic Jurisprudence and Specialist Courts
Session Eleven: Visit to NJC/Specialist Courts (TBC)
Session Twelve: The Innocence Project
Session Thirteen: No classes due to semester break. However students are to complete a Victims Web Quest in their own time
Session Fourteen: Revision
Session Fifteen: Exam
Session Sixteen: Evaluation and Overview
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
Students are expected to purchase a copy of Hayes and Prenzler’s Introduction to Crime and Criminology ed. 2 from the RMIT Bookshop. This text will also be used in second year for Criminology. |
References
Other Resources
Overview of Assessment
Assessments will incorporate a variety of methods including one or more of the following: research assignment, written test, case studies, presentation, project, and role play scenarios.
Assessment Tasks
There are 4 pieces of assessment in this subject, as follows:
1. Participation in Class Discussions. Students are expected to: prepare for and attend all classes, and actively participate in class and on-line discussions (15%). This portion of the final grade will be based upon the student’s critical engagement with the subject matter and readings, as demonstrated in the quality and quantity of their involvement in class discussions and debates. No marks are awarded simply for attendance; however as absence clearly precludes participation, it must be expected that consistent absences will impact upon the overall course grade. Assesses all Learning Outcomes
2. Court Report (20%). Due 30.3.10 Assesses Learning Outcome 3. Details of this assignment are available on the Learning Hub. Ensure that you read the instructions and Etiquette Guide carefully before undertaking this task.
3. Exam (25%) Assesses all Learning Outcomes 20.4.10. A closed book exam will be held in class (10am morning class, 2pm afternoon class). The maximum time for completion is 1.5 hours. Late-comers will be admitted at the examiner’s discretion but will not be granted extra time. Assesses Learning Outcomes 1 and 3
4. Essay (40%) Due 11.5.10. Assesses Learning Outcomes 1-5. This task requires you to write a short essay (approx 1000 words) on an aspect of criminal justice that particularly interests you. Further details and marking criteria will be provided. An outline of your proposed essay must be approved by the lecturer prior 27.4.10
NOTE: All assessment tasks must be satisfactorily completed before a student can pass this subject
Assessment Matrix
Course Overview: Access Course Overview