Course Title: Introduction to Criminal Justice System

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2012

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

Scott Ashley
9925 2328
scott.ashley@rmit.edu.au

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

Session One: Introduction to CJS, intensive; Overview of the subject, study guide, assessments and the Courts.
Session Two: The CJS, intensive ; Review the Courts material, examine the role of the investigation arm.
Session Three: Issues in corrections
Session Four: Court visit
Session Five: Justice camp, Court etiquette
Session Six: At camp moot Court practice
Session Seven: At camp, Court appearances 
Session Eight: Issues in sentencing. Court Report due
Session Nine: Specialised Courts
Session Ten: Innocence Project, wrongful convictions.
Session Eleven: Emerging issues in the CJS
Session Twelve: Support for people with special needs.
Session Thirteen: Subject revision Session Fourteen: Exam
Session Fifteen: Essay due


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


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

1. Essay (40%)

2. Exam (25%)

3. Court Report (20%)

4. Participation (15%)


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
Moderation: A student may request any assignment marked with a grade of 40-49%, be passed to another educator within the same discipline team for a grade moderation. If the second educator gives a higher grade, then that mark will prevail. However, if the second educator confirms the original findings, then the original grade prevails.
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. Assignments are to be submitted in the Assignment box in Bld 37, Lvl 2. (Assignment cover sheets will be available from Building 37 level 2).

Assignments are not receipted, if receipts are required then students should submit the assignments to the relevant academic/teaching staff member via the following email account AdvDipJusticeassignments@rmit.edu.au and keep the email as proof of submission.


Plagiarism 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